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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Albert Koelmans, Martin McLauchlan, Tony Robson
The STRICT hardware description language and design systems allow the design of complex integrated circuits using methods derived from software engineering techniques. A STRICT design comprises an integrated description of both behavioural and structure; the design process initially concentrates on the behavioural aspects. Structural information may be omitted until the later stages of the design process. Behavioural specifications may be very detailed at the lower levels of the design hierarchy. The STRICT simulator subsystem compares behavioural specifications at any two levels in the hierarchy and reports back to the designer about the feasibility of his behavioural specifications. Once the designer is satisfied that his behavioural specifications are correct the structural details can be added, although mask level details are never required. The layout subsystem will then translate the structural specifications into mask patterns using appropriate libraries. This methodology allows a designer to experiment with different algorithms and thus to explore the design space, while catching design errors at an early stage.
Author(s): Koelmans AM, McLauchlan MR, Robson AP
Publication type: Report
Publication status: Published
Series Title: Computing Laboratory Technical Report Series
Year: 1987
Pages: 34
Print publication date: 01/09/1987
Source Publication Date: September 1987
Report Number: 244
Institution: Computing Laboratory, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Place Published: Newcastle upon Tyne
URL: http://www.cs.ncl.ac.uk/publications/trs/papers/244.pdf
