Automated design based upon Microprogrammable Bit Slice Microprocessors
Bernard J. Carey, George F. MacLachlan · Design Automation Conference · 1977
This article will discuss an automated approach to designing digital systems which is based upon the use of System Description Languages (SDL)1,2,3 and Microprogrammable Bit Slice Microprocessors (MBSM)4,5. Both of these concepts have started to reach maturity in recent years with the result that Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems6,7,8 are starting to evolve to a level whereby they may be truly useful in automating certain of the traditionally difficult and time consuming steps in the digital systems design process. In addition to simply minimizing the time consumed in the design process, an automated design approach also opens the possibilities of evaluating different hardware system configurations through simulation.This article will discuss an approach taken at the University of Connecticut to realize a limited form of a CAD system which is based upon a high level design language and the Intel 3000 Family Microprogrammable Bit Slice Microcomputer. The overall design system is called the Restructurable Microprocessor Design System (RMDS)10 and it has been realized in a two phase form. This consists of a high level language system specification phase which occurs in the University Computer Center. This step generates a semi-complete design of the hardware system including the system control unit. An implementation phase may then occur in the Computer Science Microprocessor Laboratory where the design may be translated into a hardware form.