One of the most compelling challenges of the next decade is the "last-meter" problem, extending the expanding data network into end-user data-collection and monitoring devices. PicoRadio supports the assembly of an ad hoc wireless network of self-contained mesoscale, low-cost, low-energy sensor and monitor nodes. While technology advances have made it conceivable to deploy wireless networks of heterogeneous nodes, the design of a low-power, low-cost, adaptive node in a reduced time to market is still a challenge. We present a design methodology for PicoRadio Networks, from system conception and optimization to silicon platform implementation. For each phase of the design, we demonstrate the applicability of our methodology through promising experimental results.

Communication protocols are essential components of wireless systems. Present methods for protocol design are heuristic in nature and are not suited for next generation wireless systems where time-to-market concerns require correct-the-first-time implementations. In this paper we present a new design methodology for wireless protocols based on the principle of orthogonalization of concerns. In particular, the methodology separates function and architecture design and emphasizes the use of formal models to ensure correctness and reduce design time. Protocols are described using co-design finite state machines (CFSMs), a model of computation that has been introduced to allow the efficient capture of both the control and the data processing parts of the specification. Furthermore, algorithms for automatic hardware and software synthesis from CFSMs are available. This allows a fast exploration of different HW/SW partitions and the analysis of tradeoffs involved. Intercom, a mobile wireless system supporting full-duplex voice communication among different users, is presented and the design of its protocols is described. The design methodology presented here will be used for the design of PicoRadio, a low-power and highly adaptive network of sensors.

In embedded network applications, typically a very large part of the area cost is due to memory units. Also the power for such applications is heavily dominated by the storage and transfers. Given its importance, we have developed a systematic memory management methodology in which the storage related issues are optimized as a first step. In this paper, we present our methodology for embedded network applications. It includes both a dynamic memory management stage, where the data types and virtual memory managers are defined, and a physical memory management stage, where the custom memory architecture is defined. As demonstrated on an industrial example, the application of the methodology results in a heavily power and/or area optimized custom memory architecture for a given application.

Matisse is a design flow intended for developing embedded systems characterize dby tight inter action b etwe encontrol and data-flow behavior, intensive data storage and tr ansfer, dynamic creation of data, and stringent real-time requirements. Matisse bridges the gap from a system specification, using a cocurr ent obje ct-oriented language, to an optimize d embedded single-chip HW/SW implementation. Matisse supp orts stepwise system-level exploration and refinement, memory architecture exploration, and gradualincorporation of timing constr aints b efore going to tr aditional tools for HW synthesis, SW compilation, and HW/SW interprocessor communication synthesis. Application of Matisse on telecom protocol processing systems shows significant improvements in area usage and power c onsumption.

In this p ap er we pr esent our novelpower exploration methodolo gy for applic ations with dynamic data types. Our methodolo gy is crucial to obtain effe ctive solutions in an emb edded (HW or SW) processor context. The c ontributionsare twofold. First we define the complete search sp ace for Virtual Memory Management (VMM) mechanisms in a structured way with orthogonal de cision tr eesSe condly we present our systematic methodolo gy for explor ation of the maximal power that takes into account characteristics of the application to he avily prune the search space guiding the choies of a VMM mechanism. Finally we demonstrate for two industrial examples that power can vary consider ably dep ending on the VMM chosen. Moreover these exp eriments show the effe ctiveness of our exploration methodolo gy.

We describe a system design methodology well-suited for telecom network applications. This methodology is being developed into a compiler called Matisse. The entry point for this methodology is a system specification model that is first compiled into an abstract machine. The abstract machine is implementation-independent, which permits the exploration of different embedded hardware/software realizations. The proposed methodology and tools bridge the gap between system specification and synthesis tools commercially available. This yields several advantages over the design methodology currently used in industry.