VLSI circuit design supported by computer system simulation

Abstract

Satisfying the enormous signal processing demands of space based sensors in the next decade is beyond the capability of integrated circuit technology as we know it today. However the performance promise of digital VLSICs (Very Large Scale Integrated Circuits) should make this problem soluble if the right device technologies, computational algorithms and computer architectures can be selected which best exploit VLSI for this application. In this space sensor signal processor design study, computer system simulation using the language ECSS (Extendable Computer System Simulator) proved to be the key to performing tradeoffs and developing designs which could meet the stressing demands for low power and high computational throughput.