Flex: A High-Level Language for Specifying Customized Microprocessors

Researchers at Bell Labs have recently developed a silicon compiler, named Plex, that automatically generates VLSI layouts of high performance and area efficient microprocessors. Plex takes as input a specification of the function to be executed and generates a complete mask-level layout of a customized microprocessor to execute that function. The Plex microprocessor interacts with the external world, via input and output wires, and interrupts. The dedicated function performed by a Plex microprocessor typically involves real-time handling of inputs and interrupts-and the real-time generation of output signals.