2.4. Summary

In this chapter we looked at how to start with the system specification and analyze its characteristics. We were familiarized with the SCE graphical user interface and the profiling, analysis and simulation tools. By means of graphical tools, we were able to traverse the hierarchy of the system specification model. Graphical representations also provided us with information on connectivity between behaviors in the design. The user friendliness of these representations allows us to analyze our design better which would otherwise be very cumbersome.

Profiling and statistical data about the specification model also gives us interesting hints. For instance, the nature of computation in the model shows us the appropriate components to consider for the system architecture. Similarly, pie charts and bar graphs for the distribution of computation show us the critical behaviors and their nature. As we move forward in the system design process, we will have to make design decisions at various stages and such statistical analysis will be of great value. In future implementations on the tool, these analysis results may even be fed to automatic tools to generate optimal system architectures.