Array transformation in a behavioral synthesis tool.

A synthesis tool that allows for interactive memory allocation in the design of integrated circuits, comprising:

• a source code description file that describes functionality of an integrated circuit and references at least one array;
• and
• a first memory that stores an intermediate database associated with the source code description file of the integrated circuit,
• wherein the synthesis tool allows a user to modify the database in order to change the method for transforming an array from a first format to a second format.

43 A method of packing an array to memory in a behavioral synthesis tool used to design an integrated circuit, comprising:

• identifying at least one array variable, representing at least one array that can potentially be assigned to at least one memory or at least a second array, associated with a source code description of the integrated circuit;
• and
• modifying at least one parameter associated with how the array will be packed to the memory or second array, and
• modifying a representation of the source code description stored within the behavioral synthesis tool to reflect the modification made to the parameter.

A method of synthesizing an integrated circuit comprising:

• reading a source code description of an integrated circuit having at least one array;
• storing the source code description in a database;
• allowing a user to modify a plurality of parameters associated with how the array in the source code description will be packed to a memory or a second array;
• modifying the database in response to the user modifying the parameters;
• generating register-transfer level code from the database;
• and
• synthesizing a circuit from the register-transistor level code.