A Survey of Languages for Specifying Dynamics: A Knowledge Engineering Perspective

A number of formal specification languages for knowledge-based systems has been developed. Characteristics for knowledge-based systems are a complex knowledge base and an inference engine which uses this knowledge to solve a given problem. Specification languages for knowledge-based systems have to cover both aspects. They have to provide the means to specify a complex and large amount of knowledge and they have to provide the means to specify the dynamic reasoning behavior of a knowledge-based system. We focus on the second aspect. For this purpose, we survey existing approaches for specifying dynamic behavior in related areas of research. In fact, we have taken approaches for the specification of information systems (Language for Conceptual Modeling and TROLL), approaches for the specification of database updates and logic programming (Transaction Logic and Dynamic Database Logic) and the generic specification framework of abstract state machine

Hardware synthesis from DDL description

The details of digital systems can be conveniently input into the design automation system by means of hardware description language (HDL). The computer aided design and test (CADAT) system at NASA MSFC is used for the LSI design. The digital design language (DDL) was selected as HDL for the CADAT System. DDL translator output can be used for the hardware implementation of the digital design. Problems of selecting the standard cells from the CADAT standard cell library to realize the logic implied by the DDL description of the system are addressed

IDDAP -- Interactive computer assistance for creative digital design

A new computer-aided design program to assist in the initial phases of logical design is described. The program, intended for use via an on-line remote terminal, will allow the designer to study and experiment with design alternatives during the initial creative design phases. An ALGOL-like language is used for specifying the system being designed. In addition to simulating the design, the program allows the user to perform on-line design changes, reorganize data and generate timing diagram information --Abstract, page ii

Digital systems design language

Digital Systems Design Language (DDL) is implemented on the SEL-32 Computer Systems. The detaileds of the language, the translator, and the simulator, and the smulator programs are given. Several example descriptions and a tutorial on hardware description languages are provided, to guide the user

Digital systems design language. Design synthesis of digital systems

The Digital Systems Design Language (DDL) is implemented on the SEL-32 computer systems. The details of the language, translator and simulator programs are included. Several example descriptions and a tutorial on hardware description languages are provided, to guide the user

DDL system: Design systhesis of digital systems

Digital Systems Design Language was integrated into the CADAT system environment of NASA-MSFC. The major technical aspects of this integration are summarized. Automatic hardware synthesis is now possible starting with a high level description of the system to be synthesized. The DDL system provides a high level design verification capability, thereby minimizing design changes in the later stages of the design cycle. An overview of the DDL system covering the translation, simulation and synthesis capabilities is provided. Two companion documents (the user's and programmer's manuals) are to be consulted for detailed discussions

A comparison of hardware description languages

Several high level languages which evolved over the past few years for describing and simulating the structure and behavior of digital systems, on digital computers are assessed. The characteristics of the four prominent languages (CDL, DDL, AHPL, ISP) are summarized. A criterion for selecting a suitable hardware description language for use in an automatic integrated circuit design environment is provided

An approach for selecting a language for computer hardware description and simulation

This paper corrects an apparent deficiency in the published information concerning Hardware Description Languages (HDLs) by introducing and discussing an approach for selecting an HDL for use in a design project. Although three classes of HDLs are discussed in this paper, High-Level Languages (HLLs), General Purpose Simulation Languages (GPSLs) and Computer Hardware Description Languages (CHDLs), the CHDL class has been most heavily emphasized. These have been emphasized because they have been found to be the most suitable for use as a digital design tool. The emphasis is realized by including a chapter reviewing CHDL fundamentals, by presenting several CHDL examples and by aiming the HDL selection approach toward choosing a CHDL. HLLs and GPSLs are appropriate selections for some digital design environments. Therefore these classes of HDL have also been discussed in this paper

An Asynchronous Circuit Design Language (ACDL)

This correspondence describes a special purpose Asynchronous Circuit Design Language (ACDL) for specifying the terminal behavior of asynchronous sequential circuits. The language is a valuable tool for formalizing and documenting asynchronous designs, as well as providing a user interface to a completely automated synthesis system. The language includes many special features which permit quick and precise specification of terminal behavior and is best suited for problems that are currently being described informally by word statements. Copyright © 1974 by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc