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) by taking a high-level language description and producing a layout of a testable IC. The language unifies functional descriptions of finite state machines (FSMs) and decoding logic with structural/algorithmic descriptions of data paths and regular structures such as adders or multipliers. The OASIS system integrates the language compiler with logic synthesis, simulation, verification, testability, and layout tools, providing the necessary control to explore the speed-versus-area tradeoffs. The authors´ experience with a language-based design capture system shows a marked increase in productivity when compared to schematic capture. This paper describes the system with its unique features and presents some of the results of using OASIS in designing semicustom ASICs