CPRE 584
Models and Techniques in Embedded Systems
Lecture 1: Tue 1/15/2013
(Class overview)
Instructor: Dr. Phillip Jones
(phjones@iastate.edu)
Reconfigurable Computing Laboratory
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa, USA
http://www.ece.iastate.edu
http://class.ece.iastate.edu/cpre584
1 - CPRE 584 (Models and Techniques in Embedded Systems): Class Overview
Iowa State University (Ames)
Introduction
• Aims to provide the set of skills needed for
students to perform graduate level research in the
area of Hardware/Software codesign.
• Introduces several Models and Techniques in
Embedded Systems.
• Gives many opportunities for hands on learning.
2 - CPRE 584 (Models and Techniques in Embedded Systems): Class Overview
Iowa State University (Ames)
Skills
• Provide a research like environment
• Learn to quickly pickup
– new hardware platforms
– new software tools
– new protocols
• Gain experience with
– Debugging
– Design methodologies
3 - CPRE 584 (Models and Techniques in Embedded Systems): Class Overview
Iowa State University (Ames)
Skills
• Reinforce common skills with hands on examples
– Using and defining interfaces for moving data
– Cross platform development environments
– Platform Performance analysis, and Bottle
Neck identification
– Architecture design
4 - CPRE 584 (Models and Techniques in Embedded Systems): Class Overview
Iowa State University (Ames)
High-level Timeline
• Platforms (January)
– Convey HC-2: High Performance Software/Hardware codesign
– Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
• HW/SW Competition Preparation (February)
– Hands on experience acceleration: Acceleration
challenges with HC-2
• HW/SW co-design Competition (March)
– MemoCODE
• Mini-Projects (April)
– Convey Project
5 - CPRE 584 (Models and Techniques in Embedded Systems): Class Overview
Iowa State University (Ames)
Platforms (January/February)
• Xilinx ISE with Convey (2-3 weeks)
– HW/SW co-design (IP integration)
• Weekly assignments (In groups of 3 students)
– Focused documentation reading on learning what is necessary
to solve problems
– Explore features beyond assignment, and report back to the
class.
– Discussion in class different approaches taken
6 - CPRE 584 (Models and Techniques in Embedded Systems): Class Overview
Iowa State University (Ames)
MemoCODE (March)
• International Competition
– Problem assigned on March 1, solution due March 31
• Work as a class to apply experienced gained to:
– Break problem down
– Architect solution
– Implement solution
• Win!!
• 2008/2009/2010/2011/2012 MemoCODE example
7 - CPRE 584 (Models and Techniques in Embedded Systems): Class Overview
Iowa State University (Ames)
Application Acceleration (April)
• 4 week mini-project using the Convey Platform
• Teams of 2-4, project of your choice
8 - CPRE 584 (Models and Techniques in Embedded Systems): Class Overview
Iowa State University (Ames)
Syllabus
http://class.ece.iastate.edu/cpre584
9 - CPRE 584 (Models and Techniques in Embedded Systems): Class Overview
Iowa State University (Ames)
Assignment
• Groups of three
• Review Convey System
– Architecture documentation
• Challenge: Prepare 7-10 slides to discuss with class
– An aspect of the Convey Platform or Development infrastructure
you choose to explore.
– Implement Covey’s Vector adder example.
• Each member must make one contribution to the wiki each
week.
• Problem set 1: Will be released Thursday morning.
• Next week
– Continue Convey Overview
10 - CPRE 584 (Models and Techniques in Embedded Systems): Class Overview
Iowa State University (Ames)