A methodology for the design of digital systems-Supported by SARA at the age of one

Abstract

Efforts toward computer-aided design of computers are described. A design methodology is discussed first. It can be characterized as requirement-driven and supportive of self-documenting design of modular, concurrent, hardware, and software systems. A flow chart indicates the processes of initialization, partition (or composition) and its evaluation, and implementation. Then the SARA (System ARchitect's Apprentice) system, a system implemented to support a designer attempting to use the methodology mentioned above, is described. Topics discussed include the user interface, structural and behavioral modeling tools, the design library, behavioral-structural mapping, and multilevel modeling. 7 figures, 2 tables. (RWR)