Inheritance, Change and Constraint Propagation in a Version Server for Computer-Aided Design Data

主要研究者的方法是研究在CAD设计过程中的数据管理问题。在以前NSF支持的研究中，提案人已经实现了一个用于计算机辅助设计（CAD）数据的原型版本服务器。他计划将其用作操作测试平台，在其中研究如何在CAD环境中应用和实现面向对象和逻辑编程概念，例如原型对象、继承和推理。Katz博士计划研究两个问题：(1)通过相互关联的设计对象晶格传播数据的新方法；(2)扩展了最近的一些工作，应用推理技术来验证设计正确性，以控制约束和更改传播问题。超大规模集成电路（VLSI）是一个探索如何设计高度复杂集成电路和相关电子系统的新兴领域。该领域的发展对美国在电子行业的竞争领先地位至关重要。提出的研究方向是CAD设计管理，这是一个对CAD行业非常重要的课题。传统的数据库技术已不足以支持当今的CAD设计过程。本研究解决了仔细管理CAD过程中通常产生的许多信息细节的需要。这样的研究对于促进CAD领域的自动化是必要的，因为现在超大规模集成电路（VLSI/ULSI）的设计非常复杂，人类无法有效地处理它们。主要研究者在CAD设计管理领域做出了重要贡献。他把理论和实践的才能有效地结合在一起。

The principal investigator's approach is to study problems in the management of data in the CAD design process. In previous NSF- supported research, the proposer has implemented a prototype version server for computer-aided design (CAD) data. He plans to use this as an operational testbed in which to investigate how to apply and implement object-oriented and logic-programming concepts, such as prototypical objects, inheritance, and inference, within the CAD environment. Dr. Katz plans to investigate two problems: (1) new ways to propagate data through a lattice of interrelated design objects; and (2) extend some recent work, applying inference techniques to validate design correctness, to the problem of controlling constraint and change propagation. VLSI (very large scale integration) is a recent field that explores how to design highly complex integrated circuits and related electronic systems. Development of the field is important to the nation's competitive lead in electronics. The proposed research is in CAD design management, a subject that is of exceptional importance to the CAD industry. Traditional database techniques are not adequate to support today's CAD design process. This research addresses the need to carefully manage the many information details which are typically produced during the CAD process. Such research is needed to promote automation in the CAD field, where design of very and ultra large scale integrated (VLSI/ULSI) circuits is now so complex that humans cannot effectively deal with them. The principal investigator has made important contributions to the CAD design management area. He brings to bear a useful blend of theoretical and practical talents.