Using CAD Tools for Embedded System Design: Obstacles Encountered in an Automotive Case Study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Koopman, Philip

Affiliations: Institute for Complex Engineered Systems, Carnegie Mellon University, 1201 Hamburg Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA Tel.: +1 412 268-5225; Fax: +1 412 268-6353; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Historically, digital system CAD research has emphasized increasing the size and complexity of the largest feasible design. However, the success of embedded system design efforts may depend more on design exibility and lifecycle cost optimization than on an ability to synthesize hardware containing millions of transistors. This paper reports the results of a case study using a commercial CAD tool to redesign an automotive electronics product. Although the tool was in fact able to perform the required design synthesis, the case study uncovered obstacles to the adoption of CAD tools by some classes of embedded system designers.

DOI: 10.3233/ICA-1998-5107

Journal: Integrated Computer-Aided Engineering, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 85-94, 1998