Generating HDL

The HDL plugin translates a synthesizable subset of System C constructs to hcode, a simple hardware description language neutral representation. Hcode can be easily transcribed to Verilog or VHDL.

The root for HDL generation is the top level module, which is expected to be the first module in the sc_module list constructed by the front end. Hcode for each module instantiation is generated, to include ports, signals, variables, sc_methods. Subsequently, sub-modules are instantiated, and hcode for each sub-module instantiation is generated. Finally, user-defined (possibly templated) types are generated.

Installation

To build the HDL systemc-clang, a top level CMake with -DHDL=ON should be performed. The HDL plugin is compiled into systemc-clang using a specialization of the driver-tooling pattern.

Limitations and special cases

• Switch case clauses must have one statement, which can be a compound statement “{}”

• User types should not be in the SystemC core namespace or have sc_ prefix. We assume those qualifiers are part of the SystemC simulation library.

• Assignment operators for user-defined structs should follow the normal semantics of copying all the fields. This behavior is assumed and not checked.