DES in four days using behavioural modeling & synthesis

The experience of implementing the data encryption standard (DES) using high level VHDL and behavioral synthesis is described. It is shown that it is possible to describe an algorithm which is notoriously low-level such that it is both readable and synthesizable using behavioral modelling appropriate for behavioural synthesis. The paper also discusses typical design issues that arise when working at the behavioral level and shows that human insight is still necessary to achieve the best possible results. However, this insight is brought to bear at a high level - which is what humans are good at - whilst the synthesis system provides "decision support" and optimisation - which is what software and computers are good at.