VLSI logic design with logic programming and knowledge-base technology

An approach to VLSI logic design using partial and general structural specifications in addition to behavioral specifications is developed. This approach requires a new style of programming technique, especially if a universal solution procedure for all types of architectures is needed. Knowledge of the design process involves unification of the heterogeneous (i.e. behavior and structure) information between a system and its parts, as well as representation of functional modules in order to ensure their reusability in an efficient manner. Following these strategies, a logic synthesis expert system, ProLogic, is developed, and the system is evaluated using MPU-type VLSIs. It is found that the universal connecting procedure for any compound functional module that unifies the behavioral and structural specifications between a total module and its parts improves logic design efficiency by a factor of 2 and that logic programming, object-oriented frames, and rule bases implemented in ProLogic improve software productivity by a factor of 5