Modelling signal behaviour in DAME

DAME (Design Automation of Microprocessor-based systems, using an Expert system approach) is an expert system that will be capable of configuring and designing a customized microprocessor system from original specifications. We have postulated that such an expert system, can be easily constructed, since most of the interfaces used by the various microprocessors and related peripherals are standardized. Thus, once the gross structure of the design and the modules comprising it have been chosen, their interconnection is fairly straight-forward. Our investigation into the modelling of signal behavior confirmed this premise. In this work, we present the notation used to model signals in DAME. A notation is developed to allow complete specification of the static and temporal behavior of signals and their relation to other signals. Knowledge representation using frames is presented, together with some typical rules used for the design process. Actual examples of frame representation, rules to design interfaces between microprocessor and memory components are illustrated.