A horizontal optimization algorithm for data path/control synthesis

Describes an approach to the synthesis of VLSI systems from their high-level behavioral descriptions into structural implementations. This approach integrates operation scheduling, data-path allocation, and control allocation of a traditional synthesis process. Therefore, the advantages from compacting the data path, for example, can be compared immediately with the possible expansion of the control logic to justify the compaction. The horizontal algorithm is designed to make decisions on what should be done in each synthesis step. When making such design decisions, it makes tradeoffs between the data path and control, resource sharing, and operation scheduling, as well as cost and performance. The experimental results show that under the same conditions, a horizontal approach performs better than a vertical approach with respect to overall system performance and estimated layout area. The proposed horizontal optimization algorithm was designed and implemented in computer-aided design and manufacturing.<>