1. Design methods and models

1.1 Evolution: from ASIC to massively multiprocessor system

Since the late 1980s and silicon compilation, Integrated Circuit (IC) design tools have evolved significantly. The main idea is to increase the level of abstraction at the design stage and let automatic tools handle the often tedious and repetitive steps associated with the lowest levels.

The design of integrated circuits with tens of billions of transistors can only be envisaged with software design aids (Computer Aided Design or CAD tools), whereas the first integrated circuits in the early 1970s could be drawn by hand. Integrated circuits developed for a specific application are called ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) (figure