Getting it right the first time: the Ardent design methodology

The design process is outlined for the Titan, a high-performance, single-user graphics computer. A discussion is presented of: (1) schematic capture; (2) simulation, both low-level and system; (3) timing verification; and (4) translation to formats for physical layout. The target for development of Titan was 20 months from start to customer delivery. The design included six PC boards and eight gate arrays. The gate arrays and two PC boards were designed and verified using the complete methodology; the other four PC boards were designed and verified using a portion of the methodology. All of the designs worked well enough the first time to produce a functional system for alpha testing. Only two of the gate arrays were revised before production.<>