An extensible object-oriented mixed-mod functional simulation system

ABSTRACT

A LISP-based functional simulation system supporting a general concept of function and abstraction is described. SIMMER was developed primarily to support research into the relation of structure to function and associated description languages, and also to provide assistance to the designer analyzing especially difficult circuits. It consists of a general object-oriented message-passing functional simulator; a user-extensible intermediate-level base language for describing complex systems; and a supporting integrated database (not described). We introduce the versional module, a generalized notion of state, and busses as active functional objects. Message-passing LISP objects are used to represent physical and abstract entities.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  B. Hardware
  B.7 INTEGRATED CIRCUITS
      B.7.1 Types and Design Styles
          Subjects: VLSI (very large scale integration)

Additional Classification:
  B. Hardware
  B.7 INTEGRATED CIRCUITS
      B.7.2 Design Aids
          Subjects: Simulation

  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.4 PERFORMANCE OF SYSTEMS
      Subjects: Modeling techniques

  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.2 Language Classifications

          Nouns: LISP

  J. Computer Applications

General Terms:
Design, Languages, Performance, Theory