VHDL links design, test, and maintenance
Article Abstract:
Very High-Speed Integrated Circuit (VHSIC) Hardware Description Language (VHDL) was approved in Dec 1987 as IEEE Standard 1076-1987. Hardware description languages are software languages that engineers can use to describe a design concept for a piece of hardware. HDLs allow computer scientists to communicate ideas in a universally understood form. The languages aid in transferring designs from one part of the design process to the other when those designs reside on mismatched computer-aided design tools from diverse manufacturers. Many VHDL based software tools have been introduced since approval of the standard. Using VHDL, designers can describe electronic concepts without having to use coding tricks. VHDL is expected to eventually address manufacturing and production testing as well as design.
Publication Name: IEEE Spectrum
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0018-9235
Year: 1989
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World Trade Center blast triggers design debates
Article Abstract:
The World Trade center bombing highlighted the vulnerability of large tower blocks to terrorist acts. The lighting and communications were disabled in two 110-story skyscrapers for up to five hours. The blast focused attention of the debate among engineers on how to enhance security by improving safety and power systems. Features under investigation following the bombing include the installation of battery-power devices, the effective backing up of all systems and where the backup systems should be located within such tall buildings. The bomb knocked out the sole control center of the buildings, leaving employees to flee the buildings without any fire safety communications. Detailed is an overview of the communications and safety considerations now being investigated.
Publication Name: IEEE Spectrum
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0018-9235
Year: 1993
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