The Gate Array Implementation of an Area Calculation Pipeline
Edward J. Janssen · Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research · 1986
A gate array is a semi-custom designed integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is designed by a customer and then turned over to a vendor to be manufactured. A single gate array is capable of replacing a full board or more of SSI and MSI components. An area calculation path of a special purpose computer that was designed into a gate array. LSI Logic Corporation was used as the vendor. The gate array was designed and then simulated with the Tegas Description Language. The simulation revealed a worst case timing problem which was corrected by adding an additional stage in the pipeline. The additional stage increased the time a first result is available at the output of the pipeline, but did not effect the rate at which successive results are available. The simulation and actual gate array prototype were proven with a calculated set of test vectors. The benefit of using gate arrays comes from reduced costs and increased reliability