An automated approach for generating and checking control logic for reversible hardware description language-based designs

Robert Wille*, Oliver Keszocze, Lars Othmer, Michael Kirkedal Thomsen, Rolf Drechsler

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Although different from the conventional computing paradigm, reversible computation received significant interest due to its applications in various (emerging) technologies. Here, computations can be executed not only from the inputs to the outputs, but also in the reverse direction. This leads to significantly different design challenges to be addressed. In this work, we consider problems that occur when describing a reversible control flow using Hardware Description Languages (HDLs). Here, the commonly used conditional statements must, in addition to the established if-condition for forward computation, be provided with an additional fi-condition for backward computation. Unfortunately, deriving correct and consistent fi-conditions is often not obvious. Moreover, HDL descriptions exist which may not be realized with a reversible control flow at all. In this work, we propose automatic solutions, which generate the required and check whether a reversible control flow indeed can be realized. The solution utilizes predicate transformer semantics based on Hoare logic. This has exemplary been implemented for the reversible HDL SyReC and evaluated with a variety of circuit description examples. The proposed solution constitutes the first automatic method for these important designs steps in the domain of reversible circuit design.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Low Power Electronics
Volume13
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)633-641
Number of pages9
ISSN1546-1998
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2017
Event6th International Symposium on Embedded Computing and System Design - Patna, India
Duration: 15 Dec 201617 Dec 2016
Conference number: 6

Conference

Conference6th International Symposium on Embedded Computing and System Design
Number6
Country/TerritoryIndia
CityPatna
Period15/12/201617/12/2016

Keywords

  • Control Flow
  • Hardware Descriptions Languages
  • Hoare Logic
  • Reversible Circuits
  • Synthesis

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