Optimized ASIC Synthesis from Architecture Description Language Models

The rapid advancements in microelectronics technology have paved the way for the proliferation of complex and sophisticated electronic systems. Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) play a pivotal role in these systems, offering unmatched performance, power efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. To meet the growing demand for customized ASICs, the design process has undergone a significant transformation, with Architecture Description Languages (ADLs) emerging as a powerful tool for capturing and modeling system architecture.

Optimized ASIP Synthesis from Architecture Description Language Models

by Oliver Schliebusch

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3032 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Print length	:	196 pages

FREE

Role of Architecture Description Languages in ASIC Design

ADLs provide a high-level abstraction for describing the structure and behavior of hardware systems. By using ADLs, designers can capture design intent in a concise and unambiguous manner, enabling efficient exploration of design alternatives and early identification of architectural bottlenecks. ADLs offer a number of advantages over traditional Hardware Description Languages (HDLs) such as Verilog and VHDL, including:

• Higher abstraction level: ADLs operate at a higher abstraction level compared to HDLs, allowing designers to focus on the overall system architecture rather than low-level implementation details.
• Modeling flexibility: ADLs provide a flexible modeling framework that allows designers to describe systems in a variety of styles, ranging from behavioral to structural.
• Design reuse: ADLs facilitate design reuse by enabling the creation of parameterized and modular components that can be easily integrated into different designs.

ASIC Synthesis from ADL Models

The process of ASIC synthesis from ADL models involves translating the high-level architectural description into a netlist or register-transfer level (RTL) representation that can be implemented in a target fabrication technology. This process typically involves the following steps:

1. Architectural modeling: The first step is to create an ADL model that accurately captures the system architecture. This model should include information about the system's components, their interconnections, and their behavior.
2. Behavioral synthesis: The ADL model is then processed by a behavioral synthesis tool to generate an RTL representation of the design. This process involves optimizing the design for performance, power, and area.
3. Structural synthesis: The RTL representation is then converted into a gate-level netlist using a structural synthesis tool. This process involves selecting and placing logic gates to implement the desired functionality.
4. Physical synthesis: The gate-level netlist is then processed by a physical synthesis tool to create a layout for the ASIC. This process involves optimizing the layout for manufacturability and performance.

Optimizing ASIC Synthesis

Optimizing the ASIC synthesis process is critical to achieving the desired performance, power, and area targets. The following techniques can be used to optimize the synthesis results:

• Architectural optimization: The ADL model can be optimized by exploring different architectural alternatives and selecting the one that best meets the design requirements.
• Behavioral optimization: The behavioral synthesis tool can be configured to optimize the RTL representation for performance, power, or area.
• Structural optimization: The structural synthesis tool can be configured to optimize the gate-level netlist for performance, power, or area.
• Physical optimization: The physical synthesis tool can be configured to optimize the layout for manufacturability, performance, or power.

Optimized ASIC synthesis from ADL models is a powerful technique for designing and implementing high-performance, power-efficient, and cost-effective ASICs. By utilizing the latest advancements in ADL-based design and synthesis tools, engineers can significantly reduce the design time and improve the quality of their ASIC designs.

Optimized ASIP Synthesis from Architecture Description Language Models

by Oliver Schliebusch

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3032 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Print length	:	196 pages

FREE