The VLSI-programming language Tangram and its translation into handshake circuits
Kees van Berkel, Joep L. W. Kessels, Marly Roncken, Ronald W. J. J. Saeijs, F. Schalij · 1991
In this paper we view VLSI design as a programming activity. VLSI designs are described in the algorithmic programming language Tangram. The paper gives an overview of Tangram, providing sufficient detail to invite the reader to try a small VLSI program himself. Tangram programs can be translated into handshake circuits, networks of elementary components that interact by handshake signaling. We have constructed a silicon compiler that automates this translation and converts these handshake circuits into asynchronous circuits and subsequently into VLSI layouts.