NEAT: an object oriented high-level synthesis interface

In this paper a flexible interface to high-level synthesis data (NEAT) is presented. NEAT offers three design views to common high-level synthesis data domains. Inter- and intra-domain relations are used to represent design relations between synthesis objects and to store synthesis results. To extend the functionality of the common synthesis interface programmers use object oriented programming techniques to create their own specific synthesis interface. Interaction between high-level synthesis tools is achieved by exchanging data using a common file-format, which can easily be extended. A graphical interface has been established to allow interactive interpretation and manipulation of synthesis results. NEAT offers unlimited extendibility and no restrictions towards synthesis trajectories, and therefore is highly suitable as a research platform