Computer-aided selection of components for technology-independent specifications

The specification of a synchronous circuit can be given as a set of abstract building blocks that are interconnected. A set of fast algorithms are presented here for the selection of components that map each of these abstract building blocks to one of a number of suitable physical components. The first set of algorithms select the set of fastest or cheapest (smallest area) of all possible components. Another set of algorithms is given that will find a solution with user-defined constraints. These algorithms, which are implemented as part of the SPOT system, use a exhaustive list of timing information to increase the likelihood of a good solutio