This paper describes a set of novel tradeoff experiments using MABAL, a Module And Bus ALlocation program. MABAL uses a simple heuristic algorithm to concurrently perform functional unit allocation, register allocation, interconnect allocation and module binding, while miniiizing overall cost. MABAL was used to produce over 3000 RTL designs from a specification which had been previously scheduled. 'Ikadeoffs between buses and multiplexers and between data steering logic and functional logic

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... investigated. The results indicate data path tradeoffs are sensitive to the characteristics of the module library used, and illustrate the difficulty of integrating module generation or logic synthesis with high-level synthesis. This tradeoff study has also highlighted MABAL's capabilities and is unlike any other reported in the literature.