In this paper we introduce a new knowledgebased method for planning and managing the VLSI design process, based on prediction and advice, that minimizes search in a wide design space. It draws on a newly developed system able "to learn" to collect detailed information on the physical, technological and logical properties of the primitives available for building the design. This may help reduce time from market and may make it much easier for people to learn the tool and issues related to conceptual design. A prototype knowledge-based design manager, called ViPtool, that uses this method is presented.
Félix Moreno, Juan M. Meneses