Hierarchical modeling of the VLSI design process

A description is given of the Kinden environment, which combines object-oriented modeling and model-based reasoning to capture, integrate, and manage VLSI design process attributes and hierarchies. Related work is briefly reviewed, and the modeling of the design process is discussed, focusing on the Kinden approach. The model-based reasoning on which Kinden´s knowledge-processing architecture is based is described. The present implementation of Kinden is examined.<>