14 . Custom Integrated Circuits

This project is devoted to the study of fundamental techniques used in the development of both algorithms and representations for the conversion of functional specifications to custom integrated circuit layout specifications. Included in this area are five major areas of investigation. These are the development of functional specification languages, the development and utilization of architectural exploration techniques, methods for the generation and composition of macro cells, the characterization and enforcement of circuit performance constraints, and the development of special purpose architectures for both digital signal processing and custom VLSI design. In addition, some topics related to architectural exploration and the development of special purpose architectures are considered in sections 14.2-14.4 or this report and are under the supervision of Professor Musicus. Some topics in circuit performance characterization and constraints are also dealt in section 14.7 under the supervision of Professors Glasser and Wyatt. In this section, we describe the remaining activities being carried out under this contract.