OASIS: a silicon compiler for semi-custom design

OASIS is a cell-based silicon compiler system that supports rapid implementation of digital Application specific ICs (ASICs). The system automates the design process by taking a high-level language description and producing a layout of a testable IC. OASIS facilitates design of large digital systems on silicon and gives the designer sufficient control to enable exploration of the speed-versus-area design tradeoffs. The front end of OASIS is the LOGIC-III compiler that translates a high-level language description into a hierarchical netlist of gates. The LOGIC-III language is a PASCAL-like language that allows the designer to specify his design completely and in a uniform, consistent manner. The language supports both the logic synthesis for FSMs and combinational logic, and the structural/algorithmic synthesis of data paths and regular structures such as adders or multipliers. The OASIS system comprises an integrated set of tools for complete design, simulation, verification, layout and testing of ASICs. Experience with the system shows a marked increase in design productivity when compared with more traditional design techniques. The authors describe the system with its unique features and present some of the results of using OASIS in designing semi-custom ASICs