# HighTide: An Agent-Curated Open-Source VLSI Benchmark Suite

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.04126 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.04126/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 5 of its 33 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 2 Jun 2026.

## Builds on (most cited first, 5 of 5)

- [Gemmini: Enabling Systematic Deep-Learning Architecture Evaluation via Full-Stack Integration](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1911.09925/) (2019)
- [The Cost of Application-Class Processing: Energy and Performance Analysis of a Linux-ready 1.7GHz 64bit RISC-V Core in 22nm FDSOI Technology](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1904.05442/) (2019)
- [Snitch: A tiny Pseudo Dual-Issue Processor for Area and Energy Efficient Execution of Floating-Point Intensive Workloads](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2002.10143/) (2020)
- [Vortex: Extending the RISC-V ISA for GPGPU and 3D-GraphicsResearch](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2110.10857/) (2021)
- [FlooNoC: A 645 Gbps/link 0.15 pJ/B/hop Open-Source NoC with Wide Physical Links and End-to-End AXI4 Parallel Multi-Stream Support](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2409.17606/) (2024)

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [CLOSER-Bench: Evaluating Budgeted Cross-Stage Design Closure for Hardware Agents](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.16632/) (2026)
- [Ankhdjet: An Open-Source Compiler for Mask-Programmed Ternary Compute-in-ROM on an Open PDK](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.26206/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

We introduce HighTide, an evolving AI-assisted benchmark suite. Specifically, the contributions are: (i) a diverse open-source suite spanning multiple design languages and technology nodes, (ii) Bazel-based incremental RTL-to-GDS compilation with remote caching, (iii) AI-assisted design curation through twelve agent skills covering the design lifecycle, flow optimization, tool reference, and meta-maintenance, backed by per-design decision logs that serve as long-term memory of tuning rationale across the suite, and (iv) an infrastructure with RTL compilation verification for stable releases. The suite is publicly available and designed to grow with the open-source hardware ecosystem.