Symbolic execution of data paths

We present a data-path model which concisely captures the path constraints imposed by a data-path, such as bus hazards, register constraints, and control encoding limitations. A process for expressing arbitrary datapaths in terms of this model's base components and techniques for systematic translation into Boolean functions are described. Finally, this model is expanded to represent the limitations of generating as well as moving operands by incorporating dataflow graphs. The power of this representation is demonstrated by applying the path-constrained model to scheduling on a commercial DSP microprocessor.