Caltech Computer Science Technical Reports

RTsim: A register transfer simulator

Lam, Jimmy (1983) RTsim: A register transfer simulator. Technical Report. California Institute of Technology. [CaltechCSTR:1983.5081-tr-83]

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Abstract

The growing complexity and size of VLSI processors are demanding extremely accurate, yet efficient, simulation facilities for microcode debugging, logic verification, and system integration. However, reliance on mask iterations to remedy problems on a chip not only raises costs, but also extends the design cycle. Simulation justifies itself in both the turn around time and the design cost. Gate level simulation is one method for reducing errors in a chip design. However, gate level simulation of large designs are extremely expensive, and sometimes impossible when the gate level representation is not known. This thesis attempts to solve this problem by providing a functional level approach, consisting of a register transfer description language, an embedded functional modeling language, a reconfigurable assembler, and a functional simulation program. Mixed-level simulation capability is also provided by allowing the replacement of a functional unit by a transistor network which is being simulated by a switch-level logic simulator.

EPrint Type:Monograph (Technical Report)
Subjects:All Records
ID Code:402
Deposited By:Caltech Library System
Deposited On:07 August 2002
Record Number:CaltechCSTR:1983.5081-tr-83
Official Persistent URL:http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechCSTR:1983.5081-tr-83
Usage Policy:You are granted permission for individual, educational, research and non-commercial reproduction, distribution, display and performance of this work in any format.

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