a system and method is disclosed for converting an existing circuit description from a lower level description , such as rtl , to a higher - level description , such as tlm , while raising the abstraction level . by changing the abstraction level , the conversion is not simply a code conversion from one language to another , but a process of learning the circuit using neural networks and representing the circuit using a system of equations that approximate the circuit behavior , particularly with respect to timing aspects . a higher level of abstraction eliminates much of the particular implementation details , and allows easier and faster design exploration , analysis , and test , before implementation . in one aspect , a model description of the circuit , protocol information relating to the circuit , and simulation data associated with the lower level description of the circuit are used to generate an abstract model of the circuit that approximates the circuit behavior .