An application of symbolic computing to the integration of numerical design tools

The coupling of symbolic and numeric computing in design is discussed. Symbolic computing is used to facilitate the use of complicated numerical design tools such as simulators. Rather than studying new analysis techniques, the author developed a framework which makes possible the easy and efficient use of existing tools. Application and tool-specific knowledge together with a graphical user-interface take care of design routines such as conversions and error detection and correction. This helps the user to operate the tools in an easy way and, additionally, facilitates the implementation of higher-level operations for design synthesis and optimization. The techniques have been applied in a design system for mobile telephones and radio links which is currently in field-testing