Zero-Shot RTL Code Generation with Attention Sink Augmented Large Language Models

TL;DR

This paper explores using large language models with a novel attention mechanism to generate functional, optimized RTL code from high-level specifications, significantly advancing hardware design automation and exploration.

Contribution

It introduces a new attention mechanism enabling large language models to produce industry-standard RTL code from high-level prompts, improving design automation.

Findings

Existing attention mechanisms are insufficient for RTL code generation.

The proposed attention sink mechanism enhances code quality and compliance.

Language models can generate industry-standard RTL code with the new approach.

Abstract

The design and optimization of hardware have traditionally been resource-intensive, demanding considerable expertise and dependence on established design automation tools. This paper discusses the possibility of exploiting large language models to streamline the code generation process in hardware design. In contrast to earlier studies, this paper aims to use large language models that accepts high-level design specifications through a single prompt to generate corresponding Register-Transfer Level (RTL) code. The ability to use large language models on RTL code generation not only expedites design iteration cycles but also facilitates the exploration of design spaces that have computational challenges for conventional techniques. Through our evaluation, we demonstrate the shortcoming of existing attention mechanisms, and present the abilities of language models to produce functional, optimized, and industry-standard compliant RTL code when a novel attention mechanism is used. These findings underscore the expanding role of large language models in shaping the future landscape of architectural exploration and automation in hardware design.