Giano is a simulation framework for the full-system simulation of arbitrary computer systems, with special emphasis on the hardware-software co-development of system software and Real-Time embedded applications.

Giano allows the simultaneous execution of binary code on a simulated microprocessor and of Verilog code on a simulated FPGA, within a single target system capable of interacting in Real-Time with the outside world. The graphical user interface creates the interconnection graph of the user-provided simulation modules in PlatformXML, an XML-based configuration description language. Giano's design is guided by the two goals of maximizing the tool's extensibility and to leverage other existing tools to the maximum extent possible. Giano is the first simulator that supports Real-Time Simulation and the symbolic performance analysis of dynamically loaded software. Experience with several projects reveals that the tool is effective in reducing the development and maintenance time for system software and for embedded applications. The most visible benefits are a shorter modify-compile-test cycle, better support for performance tuning and improved flaw detection.

Giano is freely available in source and binary form for non-commercial use. The first release can be found here.

The latest release (V2.1) can be found here. This PowerPoint file might help you get started. This 2.0MB PowerPoint file is the basis for a tutorial presented at the RTAS 2007 conference.

• Alessandro Forin
• Neil Pittman

• Ping Hang Cheung
• Behnam Neekzad
• Nathaniel L. Lynch

1. Cheung, P. H., Forin, A., A C-language binding for PSL, MSR-TR-2006-131, Microsoft Research, WA, September 2006. A shorter version appeared in the Proceeding of the Third ICESS Conference, Daegu, Korea, May 2007. Published by Springer LNCS 4523, ISBN 3-540-72684-5, Pagg. 584-591.
2. Forin, A., Neekzad, B., Lynch, N. L., Giano: The Two-Headed System Simulator, MSR-TR-2006-130, Microsoft Research, WA, September 2006.