A relational algebraic framework for VHDL models management

Abstract

Very High-Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL) has been used as a design automation tool in all phases of modern very large-scale integrated ( VLSI) design. However; complex relationships between components of real-world systems make the VHDL modeling problem very difficult. Such difficulty can be alleviated by employing some kind of computer-based frameworks with sound formalisms. This paper proposes a new framework for relational algebraic VHDL models management. Its conceptual bases are the system entity structure and the relational algebra formalism. The framework supports automation of the well known planning-generation-evaluation paradigm for VHDL models management. Within the framework, a family of hierarchical structures of a system is organized in the form of VHDL model structure. A candidate model structure which meets design objectives is first selected from the family. Then the VHDL model for the structure is systematically constructed by combining primitive VHDL models in a VHDL library. Designers can conduct appropriate experiments oil the VHDL model for design verification and performance measure. The framework has been implemented on a relational database management system. Experiments of a simplified CPU design show that the framework could be useful for VHDL models management.