A model based approach to design applications for network processor

Network Processors (NPs) are an emerging class of embedded systems used in the telecommunication domain for applications like routing and switching. In this paper we introduce the main characteristics of the existing NP architectures and the difficulties intrinsic to their software application design. On the other hand we review the basic principles underlying the well-known modelbased development (MBD) approach. After motivating the opportunity of applying MBD to the domain of NPs, we outline a framework currently under development for the application of MBD to the design of NP software applications, thus allowing for the early derivation of test plans and for performance analysis.