An expert system for VLSI datapath synthesis

VDE (VLSI Datapath Expert) is an expert system designed to aid in the datapath synthesis of VLSI system design. VDE takes a behavioral description of the system to be designed and maps it into a structural representation. The behavioural description, which contains a list of the desired register transfers, exists as a text representation of an annotated and extended Petri net graph (PNG). The system output consists of a list of technology-independent components and the component connections (datapaths) required for the given system. VDE differs from other types of design automation tools in that it permits the designer to make specific design alternatives. Thus, various designs can be generated from the same behavioral description. VDE is implemented in Prolog on an MC68000-based machine. It is designed to interface with graphical editors so that the designer may generate actual PNGs without having to translate them into a textual format. Similarly, VDE output may be post processed by another design tool to generate an actual graphic representation of the structural design