THE VLSI DESIGN AUTOMATION ASSISTANT - A SYNTHESIS EXPERT

This paper describes an approach to very-large-scale-integration (VLSI) design synthesis that uses knowledge-based expert systems to proceed from an algorithmic description of a VLSI system to a list of technology-dependent registers, operators, data paths, and control signals. It outlines how the Design Automation Assistant (DAA) uses large amounts of expert knowledge to design an architecture with little back-tracking. This paper takes a retrospective look at that codified knowledge base, examining what has been learned about VLSI design. Finally, the paper gives an overview of our current work in using bottom-up design information in the synthesis of integrated circuits.