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Vol: 47(61) No: 2 / June 2002        

An Exploration-Based Binding and Scheduling Technique for Synthesis of Digital Blocks for Mixed-Signal Applications
Hua Tang
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-2350, USA, phone: ++1-631-632-1611, e-mail: htang@ece.sunysb.edu
Alex Doboli
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-2350, USA, e-mail: adoboli@ece.sunysb.edu, web: http://www.ece.sunysb.edu/~adoboli


Keywords: high-level synthesis, operation scheduling, resource binding, performance models, mixed analog-digital systems.

Abstract
Design of mixed analog-digital systems requires new CAD tools as specific performance requirements need to be tackled i.e. simultaneous switching noise (SSN). This paper proposes a novel technique for resource binding and operation scheduling. Goal is to maximize the latency of the digital hardware such that its SSN is kept within feasible limits. The technique includes two steps: (1) for each input specifications, Performance Models (PM) are automatically generated for the overall throughput and SSN values, and (2) PMs are employed by an exploration algorithm to find the best resource binding and operation scheduling alternative. Experimental results showed the ability of the proposed technique to find good solutions as compared to traditional high-level synthesis methods.

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