Models of Computation: FSM Model Reading: L. Lavagno, A.S. Vincentelli and E. Sentovich, “Models of computation for Embedded System Design”

Models of Computation: FSM Model

Reading:L. Lavagno, A.S. Vincentelli and E. Sentovich, “Models of computation for Embedded System

Design”

Mahapatra-Texas A&M 2

Our Design Approach

• Start design process before hw-sw partitioning• Sequence of steps are vital

– system specification unbiased to implementation• describe system behavior at high level

– Initial functional design– verification– mapping to target architecture

• Thus, function-architecture codesign is key approach


Proposed design strategy

BehaviorialLibraryCaptureBehavior

Verifybehavior

ArchitectureLibraries

Verifyarchitecture

BehavioralLibrary

Map behaviorto Architecture

Verifyperformance

Refine HW/SWmicro-architect

Link to HW/SWimplementation

Link to micro-arch verification

PerformanceBack Annotation

Capturebehavior

Capture Architecture

Functional Level

MappingLevel

• Taken from Ref. Of reading assignment.

ArchitectureLevel


Design conception to design description

• At functional level, behavior of a system to be implemented is selected and analyzed against a set of specifications– Specifications vs.. behavior?

• Specs:I/O relation, set of constraints, system goals• behavior: algorithm to realize the function

-Specs: algorithm itself! (another view)

• Purists view: Algorithm is the result of implementation decision


Examples

• Example1: Let f(x) = 0 is a system to be implemented.

It is a design decision to use either Newton-Raphson or Gauss-SeidelS relaxation algorithm!

• Example2: MPEG Encoder design

Spec: Encoding of compressed stream of data.

Any implementation that creates it from the stream is correct. Here the design decision is already there.


Algorithm Design and Analysis

• Algorithm development: Key aspect of system design at functional level

• Little work has been done on selection of algorithm based on specifications

• Requires strong correctness properties in critical operations

• Algorithm analysis is more general concept than simulation

• Important to decide on mathematical model for designer that will support algorithm analysis


Algorithm Implementation

• Need of intermediate step: transform an algorithm to a set of tractable functional components

• The functional components are to be formally defined to capture the algorithm’s properties

• MoC is key answer to the above!• Selection of MoC is to be done carefully. (FSM,

DF, DES, Comm Seq. Process)


MoCsBasic Concepts

• MoC is composed of a description mechanism (syntax) and rules for computation of behavior given the syntax (semantics)

• It is chosen for its suitability: compactness, ability to synthesize, optimize the behavior of implementation

• Most MoCs Permit distributed system of description ( a collection of communicating modules), and gives rules of computation of each module (function), and how they communicate.


MoC Primitives

• Functions: combination of Boolean functions and synchronous state machines

• Communications: queues, buffers, and schedulers


Finite State Machine (FSM)




FSM

• Finite‐State Machine (FSM)

-A way to describe desired behavior of

Sequential circuit

–Akin to Boolean equations for• Combinational behavior

–List states, and transitions among states

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Capturing Sequential Circuit Behavior as FSM

• Toggle switch example:• List states, and transitions among

states– Example: Toggle x every clock

cycle– Two states: “Lo” (x=0), and “Hi”

(x=1)– Transition from Lo to Hi, or Hi to

Lo, on rising clock edge (clk^)– Arrow points to initial state (when

circuit first starts)

Lo Hi Lo Hi Lo Hi Lo Hi

cycle 1 cycle 2 cycle 3 cycle 4clk

Lo LoHi Histate

x

Outputs:

Outputs: x

HiLo

x=0 x=1

clk^

clk^

aLo Hi

Lo Hi

or

Depicting multi-bit or other info in a timing diagram

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FSM Example: Three Cycles High System• Want 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 1,

1, ...– For one clock cycle

each

• Capture as FSM– Four states: 0, first 1,

second 1, third 1– Transition on rising

clock edge to next state

Off OffOn1On1On2 On2On3 On3Off

clk

x

State

Outputs:

Outputs: x

On1Off On2 On3

clk^

clk^

clk^x=1x=1x=0 x=1clk^

a

a

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Three-Cycles High System with Button Input

• Four states• Wait in “Off” while b is 0

(b’*clk^) • When b is 1 (b*clk^),

transition to On1– Sets x=1– Next two clock edges,

transition to On2, then On3

• So x=1 for three cycles after button pressed

Off OffOn1Off Off Off On2On3Off

clk

State

Outputs:

Inputs:

x

b

Inputs: b Outputs: x

On2On1 On3

Off

clk^

clk^

x=1x=1x=1

x=0

clk^

b'*clk^

b*clk^

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FSM Simplification: Rising Clock Edges Implicit

• Every edge ANDed with rising clock edge

• What if we wanted a transition without a rising edge

• We don’t consider such asynchronous FSMs – less common, and advanced topic

• Only consider synchronous FSMs – rising edge on every transition

Note: Transition with no associated condition thus transistions to next state on next clock cycle

On2On1 On3

Off

x=1x=1x=1

x=0

b’

b

Inputs: b; Outputs: x

On2On1 On3

Off

x=1x=1x=1

x=0

b’

clk̂

clk̂

^clk

*clk̂

*clk̂b


a

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FSM Definition• FSM consists of

– Set of states• Ex: {Off, On1, On2, On3}

– Set of inputs, set of outputs

• Ex: Inputs: {b}, Outputs: {x}

– Initial state• Ex: “Off”

– Set of transitions• Each with condition• Describes next states• Ex: Has 5 transitions

– Set of actions• Sets outputs in each state• Ex: x=0, x=1, x=1, and x=1


On2On1 On3

Off

x=1x=1x=1

x=0

b’

b

We often draw FSM graphically, known as state diagram

Can also use table (state table), or textual languages


Modeling & Testing FSM

• Example of “Three Cycle High Laser Controller”

• Impl. the FSM in Verilog (High level IP)• Test using Verilog Testbench for functional

verification• Use of tools to create FSM and generate

Verilog Module


Assignment 1(practice problem)

“Three Cycle High Laser Controller” • Use Fizzim tool editor to create FSM from a given

specification. (manual process)• Use Fizzim to generate high-level IP written in

Verilog HDL.• Write testbench to verify functionality of the

module. Use ModelSim for verification.• Ref. Laser Controller Tutorial.


Assignment 1 (Things to do)

• Consider Interrupt Handler (IH) problem.– Ref: Tutorial on Interrupt Handler

• Specify the requirements/steps at high level• Create FSM, and generate Verilog IH-IP

module using Fizzim tools.• Verify IH-IP module using ModelSim.

– Modelsim.com student version free


Administration

• Group of two students with ECE and CS backgrounds

• Credits after successful demonstration.• You may have choice to pick up another

controller problem but with advanced notice to the instructor.

• Will show the valid results during demonstration.


Last slide

• Questions?

Models of Computation: FSM Model Reading: L. Lavagno, A.S. Vincentelli and E. Sentovich, “Models of computation for Embedded System Design”

Documents

system behavior

computation of behavior

design decision

key aspect of system

selection of algorithm

system goalsbehavior

rules of computation

descriptionat functional