The VLSI Design Automation Assistant: First Step

This paper describes an approach to VLSI design synthesis using both knowledge-based expert systems and data and control flow analysis. The authors are concerned with design synthesis as it proceeds from an algorithmic description of a VLSI system to a list of technology-independent registers, operators, data paths, and control signals. This paper discusses the development of the Design Automation Assistant from its first interviews with expert VLSI designers to its current prototype state. Four designs of a microcomputer are presented along with the changes in the knowledge base that created those design