RESEARCH IN VLSI SYSTEMS FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

这项提议的目标是加强生物医学计算 华盛顿大学的资源，通过开发 使用超大规模设计和构建专门的计算系统 集成电路与系统技术(VLSI)。我们打算将这一点应用于 以能力设计独有的强大而高效的专业化 计算系统，与生物医学研究人员合作 无法用传统的计算方法解决他们的问题。我们的 途径是推广系统设计和建设方法论 宏模块将利用商业领域的技术进步 现有的VLSI部件，如微处理器和存储器，以及改进 在设计定制集成电路和制造的子系统方面 可能是计算机设计辅助工具和方法的最新发展 制造经济的原型和小批量的集成 电路设计。我们的系统设计方法是基于使用 严格定义的模块化概念，以 允许轻松设计高度并行的异步模块 具有分布式控制的计算结构。我们的方法取决于 降低设计和实现专业化产品所需的成本和时间 系统通过使用形式化的规格说明和设计方法 在设计过程中得到广泛的计算机辅助支持。我们打算 最大限度地利用其他大学提供的设计援助计划， 并将我们自己的理论和设计辅助开发努力集中在 用于异步设计的技术。我们的初步应用研究将 在已经存在强大合作的研究领域 华盛顿大学社区。其中包括Modecular建模和 药物设计、临床研究数据库系统、放射治疗 计划、飞行时间断层扫描、耳蜗建模和超声波 组织特性化。我们预计这些研究将导致 国家合作项目，如以前由 华盛顿大学资源。

The objective of this proposal is to strengthen the Biomedical Computing Resource at Washington University by developing the capability for designing and building specialized computing systems using Very Large Scale Integrated circuit and system technology (VLSI). We intend to apply this capability to the design of uniquely powerful and efficient specialized computing systems, in collaboration with biomedical researchers who are unable to solve their problems with conventional computing approaches. Our approach is to extend the system design and construction methodology of macromodules to take advantage of technical advances in commercially available VLSI parts, such microprocessors and memories, and improvements in the ability to design custom integrated circuits and sub-systems made possible be recent developments in computer design aids and in methods for fabricating economical prototypes and small quantities of integrated circuit designs. Our system design methodology is based upon the use of a rigorously defined concept of modularity, realized in the form of asynchronous modules that permit the easy design of highly parallel computing structures with distributed control. Our approach depends upon reduction of the cost and time required to design and realize specialized systems through the use of formal specification and design methods supported by extensive computer aids to the design process. We intend to make maximum use of design aid programs available from other universities, and to focus our own theory and design aid development efforts on techniques for asynchronous design. Our initial application studies will be in research areas in which strong collaborations already exist within the Washington University community. These include Modecular Modelling and Drug Design, Database Systems for Clinical Research, Radiation Treatment Planning, Time of Flight Tomography, Cochlear Modelling, and Ultrasonic Tissue Characterization. We expect that these studies will lead to national collaborative programs such as those previously undertaken by the Washington University Resource.