Towards amalgamating high-level synthesis and proof systems

This paper gives an overview of an ongoing research project on the application of formal methods to high-level synthesis. The key idea is to embed a design representation used in an existing high-level synthesis system in a mechanical proof system. This approach has the following properties: First, we use a design representation proved applicable to high-level synthesis; Second, we can reason about design transformations used in an existing high-level synthesis system; Third, we allow formal reasoning about both control and data; and Fourth, we provide mechanical support for formal reasoning.