From expert assistant to design verification: applications of AI to VLSI design

The author discusses successful applications of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to integrated-circuit (IC) and printed-circuit-board (PCB) design in the area of expert systems which serve as design assistants. Attention is given to problems connected with the multidimensional and hierarchical nature of the VLSI design process. Some of the language features which are applicable to IC and PCB design problems are addressed. It is concluded that these language features coupled with expert systems permit a significant first step to solving a very difficult problem: the verification of the correctness of a design.<
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