5820results about "Constraint-based CAD" patented technology

A method is presented for determining optimal or preferred configuration settings for wireless or wired network equipment in order to obtain a desirable level of network performance. A site-specific network model is used with adaptive processing to perform efficient design and on-going management of network performance. The invention iteratively determines overall network performance and cost, and further iterates equipment settings, locations and orientations. Real time control is between a site-specific Computer Aided Design (CAD) software application and the physical components of the network allows the invention to display, store, and iteratively adapt any network to constantly varying traffic and interference conditions. Alarms provide rapid adaptation of network parameters, and alerts and preprogrammed network shutdown actions may be taken autonomously. A wireless post-it note device and network allows massive data such as book contents or hard drive memory to be accessed within a room by a wide bandwidth reader device, and this can further be interconnected to the internet or Ethernet backbone in order to provide worldwide access and remote retrieval to wireless post-it devices.

A system for analyzing IC layouts and designs by calculating variations of a number of objects to be created on a semiconductor wafer as a result of different process conditions. The variations are analyzed to determine individual feature failures or to rank layout designs by their susceptibility to process variations. In one embodiment, the variations are represented by PV-bands having an inner edge that defines the smallest area in which an object will always print and an outer edge that defines the largest area in which an object will print under some process conditions.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for partitioning a network, comprising modeling the network as a graph comprising nodes which represent network devices, and edges which represent links between the devices, and automatically partitioning the graph into domains. One embodiment of the method includes identifying a number of anchor nodes in the graph and partitioning the domains around the anchor nodes such that each domain contains only one anchor node. Another embodiment of the method includes partitioning a graph without anchor nodes into a number of domains, and assigning controllers to each of the domains. Preferably, the method further includes assigning a weight to each node in the graph, and balancing the partitions as a function of the weight of each node in a respective partition.

A knowledge management system captures, stores, manages, and applies rules for modeling geometric objects and related non-geometric attributes. The knowledge management system controls a computer-aided design system for modeling a geometric structure. The knowledge management system includes a knowledge management application in communication with the computer-aided design system through an application program interface. The knowledge management system also includes a central database managed by a knowledge storage application for maintaining rules and other related information. The knowledge management system also includes a knowledge acquisition application for generating rule programs for storage in the central database. The rules can relate to geometric and non-geometric attributes of the model.

A knowledge driven composite design optimization process for designing a laminate part includes steps for generating a globally optimized 3-D ply definition for a laminate part, and modifying the 3-D ply definition to include features of the laminate part, where the generating and modifying steps are parametrically linked to one another and are performed in the recited order. Preferably, the generating step includes substeps for determining connectivity between a plurality of regions defining the laminate part, subsequently generating ramp features detailing interconnection of the regions defining the laminate part, and displaying views and corresponding tabular data describing the laminate part and illustrating both inter-region connectivity and the ramp features as specified by a user. A knowledge driven composite design optimization system and associated computer memory for operating a general purpose computer as a knowledge driven composite design optimization system are also described.

Application of network flow techniques to constrained optimization problems is disclosed. The present of constrains may lead to infeasible solutions. The infeasible solutions can be removed by an iterative process of changing the structure of the network and/or the associated parameters. Specific applications of the invention to the placement of tristate buffers and clocks in integrated circuits are disclosed.

A method is described for modeling heterogeneous material properties within a geometric model of an object (e.g., within a CAD model). Material functions are defined about material features (i.e., points, surfaces, or areas on or in the model) at which material properties are known, with the material functions each defining the behavior of that feature's material property at locations away from that feature. Combination of the material functions results in a single material function which defines the material properties throughout the geometric model. The resulting material function may then be used in subsequent analyses, such as in computerized behavior analysis of the geometric model. The material function may be constructed such that it meets desired constraints, and has desired smoothness and analytical properties, for ease of use in such subsequent analyses.

Systems and methods for relative ordering circuit synthesis are provided herein. One aspect provides for generating at least one circuit design via at least one processor accessible by a computing device; wherein generating at least one circuit design comprises: generating at least one relative order structure based on at least one circuit design layout, the at least one relative order structure comprising at least one placement constraint associated with at least one circuit element; placing the at least one circuit element associated with the at least one placement constraint within a circuit design according to the at least one placement constraint; and placing circuit elements not associated with the at least one placement constraint within the circuit design. Other embodiments and aspects are also described herein.

A method for modeling a dynamic system (e.g., geological system) comprises: constructing an input parameter space for a model of the geological system, the input parameter space including more than three dimensions, and the model associated with response data, representing the input parameter space visually with three or fewer dimensions, reducing the input parameter space by conditioning the parameter space using at least a subset of the response data, and updating the representation of the input parameter space to visually represent the reduction of the parameter space.

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for optimizing a lithographic projection apparatus including optimizing projection optics therein, and preferably including optimizing a source, a mask, and the projection optics. The projection optics is sometimes broadly referred to as “lens”, and therefore the joint optimization process may be termed source mask lens optimization (SMLO). SMLO is desirable over existing source mask optimization process (SMO), partially because including the projection optics in the optimization can lead to a larger process window by introducing a plurality of adjustable characteristics of the projection optics. The projection optics can be used to shape wavefront in the lithographic projection apparatus, enabling aberration control of the overall imaging process. According to the embodiments herein, the optimization can be accelerated by iteratively using linear fitting algorithm or using Taylor series expansion using partial derivatives of transmission cross coefficients (TCCs).

A method and system for automatically guiding a user through a design flow for an integrated circuit are disclosed. The method and system include displaying a design flow user interface on a user's computer, where the user interface includes symbols corresponding to design flow process steps. The design flow process steps are defined with a set of rules, and user input for each step is analyzed for compliance with the rules. The user is allowed to proceed to a next step in the flow once it is determined that the previous steps have been completed successfully.

A system, method, and computer program for modifying a solid model representation that is manipulated in a computer having software instructions for design, comprising: a computer system, wherein the computer system includes a memory, a processor, a user input device, and a display device; a computer generated geometric model stored in the memory in the memory of the computer system; and wherein the computer system receives user input and accesses at least one data file having a plurality of geometric model definitions that define a geometric model; converts the geometric model definitions into a geometric representation of the geometric model; calculates a plurality of geometric conditions between at least one geometry identified by a user and the geometric model to create a set of constraints; and calculates a modified geometric model with a modified geometry according the set of constraints to display to the user; and appropriate means and computer-readable instructions.

Method and system are provided for providing constraint-based guidance to a designer to support the application of useful constraint-based heuristics in complex collaborative design, thus reducing late conflicts and facilitating their resolution when they happen. The invention can be applied to any collaborative problem-solving task such as a collaborative engineering activity or the design of corporate strategies. In the method and system, designers receive constraint-based feedback that enables them to apply constraint-based heuristics that consider the simultaneous effect of all design constraints.

A collaborative method of generating a design representation of an object between a first user and a second user is described. The method comprises: designating, at a first user terminal, a set of design object variables relating to different aspects of the design representation; specifying, at the first user terminal, constraints for the set of design object variables, the constraints comprising a range of first user designated values for each of the designated object variables of the set; receiving at a second user terminal, the set of design object variables, the constraints for the set and the design representation via a communication network; enabling, at the second user terminal, manipulation of the design object representation, the enabling step comprising enabling selection of a particular value of at least one of the designated object variables only within the constrained value range specified by the first user; and presenting on the second user terminal a graphical representation of the design object representation as specified by the second user selection.

System and method for specifying and implementing programs. A graphical program is created in a graphical specification and constraint language that allows specification of a model of computation and explicit declaration of constraints in response to user input. The graphical program includes a specified model of computation, a plurality of interconnected functional blocks that visually indicate functionality of the graphical program in accordance with the specified model of computation, and specifications or constraints for the graphical program or at least one of the functional blocks in the graphical program. The specified model of computation and specifications or constraints are useable to analyze the graphical program or generate a program or simulation.

A method for predicting the development index of pulsed periodic water flooding in multi-layer reservoir is based on mathematical analysis and optimization theory, synthesizes the static reservoir factor and dynamic development factor, fully refers to and applies coring, secondary interpretation, exist monitoring data, etc. to establish a split calculation method and reasonable injection distribution and injection allocation models. The sub-injection and injection allocation models are respectively formed into software, which can transfer the relevant data from the production database of the research block. The injection allocation quantity of each well and each layer in the block is automatically calculated by the injection allocation model. Through the calculation of separate injection model, the separate injection intervals of water injection wells are automatically given. The invention divides data display, service processing and data storage into different layers. The method maintains the relative independence between the layers, and is especially suitable for the development of large-scale systems. Once the user business rules change, the system has good adaptability, and theworkload of later revision and maintenance is small.

A method for determining an optimum design includes determining an initial field solution for a design configuration based on an initial set of design variables; determining an adjoint solution to the field solution; determining the regions of interest on the design configuration based on magnitudes and/or gradients of the adjoint solution; and establishing design variables at the regions of interest.

A model consolidation process combines multiple configuration models into a single unified configuration model that contains the union of the allowable combinations (i.e. combinations that are buildable) from each of the original models. An aspect of at least one embodiment of the model consolidation process is that it allows models to be combined in such a way that any incompatibilities or contradictions between models are detected and automatically resolved where possible. If an incompatibility is detected that cannot be automatically resolved, then the configuration models should not be combined. Instead if this incompatibility case occurs, at least one embodiment of the model consolidation process produces a description of the problem encountered and report the problem along with the necessary information required for a human to resolve it.

The invention relates to a hydrological model calibrating method used for small watershed individual flood forecasting, comprising the following steps: collecting and treating data of a typical rainfall flood process; selecting a hydrologic catchment model with a mixed runoff generation mechanism; determining an objective function used for small watershed individual flood simulation; optimally selecting parameters for calibrating a hydrological model; and judging the applicability of the calibrated hydrological model to individual flood simulation. Aiming at defects in calibration of the hydrological model and by combining with the rainfall runoff generation characteristics of small watersheds in the north, a concentrated hydrological model with a mixed runoff generation mechanism is selected; by taking SCE-UA algorithm as basis and comprehensively considering three flood elements including flood peak, flood volume and flood hygrograph, parameters of the hydrological model can be calibrated by constructing a comprehensive objective function with variable weight; and on the basis of evaluating the calibrating effect of the hydrological model, a three-level judgment criteria comprehensively considering rainfall characteristics, drainage area and engineering requirements is provided, so that the calibrated hydrological model can better meet the requirement of flood forecasting ofsmall watersheds in the north.

The invention relates to a method for evaluating the new energy development potential of regional power grids based on power generation absorption. New energy power characteristics are described from the level of new energy output power parameters, and power grid structure constraints are described from the level of power grid load flow calculation parameters. Based on a sequential production simulation method, by establishing a multi-period load flow optimization evaluation model and adopting matlab software for programming simulation calculation, a corresponding new energy receptivity evaluation model is established with the power generation of new energy units as the objective function and the new energy wind curtailment/light curtailment rate as the constraint. The new energy development degree of the regional power grids is comprehensively measured, visual development potential measurement indexes are obtained finally, and the new energy receptivity trend of the regional power grids is analyzed in a drawing mode. The power generation of the power grids by renewable energy absorption is simply and visually calculated, and reasons for the insufficient new energy receptivity of the power grids are analyzed. The economy and safety of power grid operation are analyzed based on various operation scenes, and the new energy receptivity of the power grids under various scenes is studied.

One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for positioning a graphical component in a computer-implemented drawing program. A selection of a graphical component displayed on a display device is received. Thereafter, a first feature of the graphical component is inferred. The display of the graphical component is moved (e.g., by a user using a cursor control device). Underlying geometry is then analyzed to determine one or more second features of the underlying geometry that can mate with the first feature. Feedback is then displayed that indicates placement potential for the graphical component based on the first feature mating with one of the second features.

A method of detailed placement for ICs is provided. The method receives an initial placement and iteratively builds sets of constraints for placement of different groups of cells in the IC design and uses a satisfiability solver to resolve placement violations. In some embodiments, the constraints include mathematical expressions that express timing requirements. The method in some embodiments converts the mathematical expressions into Boolean clauses and sends the clauses to a satisfiability solver that is only capable of solving Boolean clauses. In some embodiments, the method groups several cells in the user design and several sites on the IC fabric and uses the satisfiability solver to resolve all placement issues in the group. The satisfiability solver informs placer after each cell is moved to a different site. The method then dynamically builds more constraints based on the new cell placement and sends the constraints to the satisfiability solver.

Features are provided for graphically representing constraints on design objects in an Electronic Design Automation tool. A particular constraint on one or more circuit objects is displayed as a highlighted region that extends to each visible circuit object to which the constraint applies. Attributes of the highlighted region, such as density and thickness, may proportionally represent attributes of the constraint, such as a strength or distance specified by the constraint. The highlighted region is superimposed on or around circuit objects. The highlighted region may be a halo, which is a partially transparent region filled with a color. Multiple regions that represent the same type of constraint or relationship are connected by line segments, providing the ability to visualize groups of constrained objects, including groups that span levels of a hierarchical design. Intersecting highlighted regions are blended together using techniques such as alpha blending.