Performance optimization using template mapping for datapath-intensive high-level synthesis

This paper introduces a new approach to performance-driven template mapping for high-level synthesis. Template mapping, the process of mapping high-level algorithmic descriptions to specialized hardware libraries or instruction sets, involves template matching, template selection, and clock selection. Efficient algorithms for each are presented, and novel issues such as partial matching are addressed. The paper focuses on datapath-intensive ASIC design, though the concepts are also highly applicable to compiler development. Experimental results on examples from real applications show significant improvements in throughput with limited area overhead.