A Model-Based Expert System For Digital Systems Design

Abstract

In this paper, we present a model-based expert system for automatic digital systems design. The goal of digital systems design is to generate a workable and efficient design from high level specifications. The formalization of the design process is a necessity for building an efficient automatic CAD system. Our approach combines model-based, heuristic best-first search, and meta-planning techniques from AI to facilitate the design process. The design process is decomposed into three subprocesses. First, the high-level behavioral specifications are translated into sequences of primitive behavioral operations. Next, primitive operations are grouped to form intermediate-level behavioral functions. Finally, structural function modules are selected to implement these functions. Using model-based reasoning on the primitive behavioral operations level extends the solution space considered in design and provides more opportunity for minimization. Heuristic best-first search and meta-planning tech-niques control the decision-making in the latter two subprocesses to optimize the final design. They also facilitate system maintenance by separating design strategy from design knowledge.