Enhancements for the CAPS prototyping system description language syntax-directed editor

Abstract

CAPS (Computer-Aided Prototyping System) is an integrated set of software tools that generate source programs directly from real time requirements. CAPS users can specify the requirements of prototypes as augmented computational graphs using the graphics/text editor. The problem with the current version of CAPS is that most of the feasibility checks for the prototypes are currently enforced by the translator and the scheduler. Sucb an approach requires the engineers to go through the 'edit, save file, then translate and schedule' cycle in order to find out if the control and timing constraints can be satisfied. The prototyping process can be made much more efficient and user-friendly if these checks are enforced by the CAPS PSDL (prototype System Description Language) SDE (syntax-directed editor), where users can detect and receive warnings as they enter the design. This thesis focuses on the properties that must exist between processes and their interconnected data flows in order for a prototype to be correct. It further modifies the PSDL SDE so that parts of the prototype are captured, combined, and manipulated in a way that provides the semantic information needed to determine if these properties have been violated. The new editor has been applied to several prototype examples. The results showed that, by catching errors during the editing phase, the user saves time, is better able to stay focused on the design, and is subsequently more productive.