A system for context-aware timing ECO generation using hierarchical and flat design mapping

Abstract

A system (100) for context-aware timing ECO generation using hierarchical and flat design mapping, comprising: a design data acquisition module configured to import hierarchical and flat design data including netlists, timing reports, physical layouts, and design constraints; a contextual timing analysis module configured to detect timing violations in both hierarchical and flat design contexts; a hierarchical-flat mapping engine configured to establish bidirectional correspondence between hierarchical and flat representations of the design; an ECO opportunity identification module configured to identify optimal modification points based on timing improvement potential and minimal design disturbances; an ECO generation and optimization module configured to create optimized ECO scripts taking into account timing, power, and area constraints; a verification and validation module configured to confirm functional equivalence, compliance with design rules, and timing completion; and an ECO implementation and reporting module configured to integrate the validated ECO into the main design database and generate traceable change reports; where the system operates to generate context-aware ECOs that maintain design consistency in both hierarchical and flat design views.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electronic design automation (EDA), particularly to methods and systems for context-aware generation of timing change orders (ECO) in integrated circuit (IC) design workflows. It addresses both hierarchical and flat design mapping approaches for optimizing timing closure and functional integrity. The invention is applicable to semiconductor chip design, verification, and optimization processes to improve performance and shorten design cycle time.

[0002] In modern semiconductor design, achieving timing closure in large and complex integrated circuits (ICs) is becoming increasingly challenging due to increasing design size, ever-shrinking process nodes, and stringent performance requirements. Traditional engineering change order (ECO) processes often rely on manual intervention or context-independent automated scripts that fail to account for the complex dependencies between hierarchical blocks and the flat overall design view. This lack of context awareness leads to suboptimal fixes, repeated iterations, and extended design cycles, especially when timing violations are limited to one design area but impact other areas.

[0003] Conventional ECO methods also struggle to efficiently reconcile differences between hierarchical and flat design representations. Hierarchical mapping enables modular optimization but may miss cross-boundary interactions, while flat mapping provides a global perspective but compromises modular reusability and computational efficiency. Without a mechanism that intelligently connects these approaches, timing closure often becomes a trial-and-error process, consuming significant engineering resources and increasing the risk of new violations emerging during late-stage design changes.

[0004] There is a need for a context-aware timing ECO generation system that can intelligently analyze timing problems in both hierarchical and flat representations, precisely identify root causes, and generate targeted ECOs that ensure design consistency. Such a solution would not only reduce the number of closure iterations but also minimize disturbances in already verified design areas, ultimately improving overall design turnaround time and silicon fabrication success rates. By leveraging advanced mapping strategies and context-aware insights, the proposed invention addresses these long-standing inefficiencies in timing ECO workflows.

[0005] An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a context-aware ECO generation system that ensures accurate timing completion control by considering both hierarchical and flat design contexts.

[0006] Another objective of the present disclosure is to reduce design cycle time by intelligently identifying optimal modification points, thereby minimizing unnecessary iterations.

[0007] Another objective of the present disclosure is to maintain design consistency by synchronizing ECO corrections in both modular and global design representations.

[0008] Another objective of the present disclosure is to improve timing performance while minimizing disturbances to already verified parts of the design.

[0009] Another objective of the present disclosure is to automate ECO script generation with optimized cell, network and routing changes to achieve better efficiency.

[0010] Another objective of the present disclosure is to improve verification reliability by integrating formal equivalence checks, static timing analyses, and design rule verifications.

[0011] Another objective of this disclosure is to support version control and traceability for all ECO changes to enable better design management and compliance with audit requirements.

[0012] Another objective of the present disclosure is to reduce the risk of late-stage design errors, thereby improving silicon manufacturing success rates and overall product quality.

[0013] Further objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0014] The present invention relates to a system for context-aware timing ECO generation using hierarchical and flat design mapping, which is designed to optimize timing completion in integrated circuits by combining modular and global perspectives.

[0015] Another embodiment of the present invention is the ability to import and validate hierarchical and flat design data, including netlists, timing reports, and physical constraints, to ensure a reliable basis for analysis.

[0016] Another embodiment of the present invention is a context-aware timing analysis process that detects violations by considering cross-boundary dependencies, clock domains, and interactions between blocks.

[0017] Another embodiment of the present invention is the hierarchical-flat mapping engine, which enables bidirectional traceability between modular design elements and their flat representation for precise ECO alignment.

[0018] Another embodiment of the present invention is the intelligent identification of ECO opportunities that achieve maximum timing improvement with minimal disruption to the verified portions of the design.

[0019] Another embodiment of the present invention includes the automated generation of ECO scripts that are optimized with respect to time, power, and area constraints and utilize available free cells and routing resources.

[0020] Another embodiment of the present invention is a robust verification framework that performs functional equivalence checks, timing validations, and design rule compliance in both design contexts.

[0021] Another embodiment of the present invention is the seamless integration and reporting of validated ECOs into the main design database, ensuring version control, traceability, and technical transparency.

[0022] The present invention relates to a system (100) for context-aware timing ECO generation using hierarchical and flat design mapping, which intelligently connects modular and global design views to achieve efficient timing closure in integrated circuits. The system comprises seven key modules: a design data acquisition module, a context-aware timing analysis module, a hierarchical and flat mapping engine, an ECO opportunity identification module, an ECO generation and optimization module, a verification and validation module, and an ECO implementation and reporting module, each of which performs a specific task in identifying, generating, validating, and implementing optimal ECO corrections.By integrating context awareness with hierarchical and flat mapping, the invention reduces design iterations, improves closure accuracy, and ensures consistency at all levels of IC design. Module for capturing design data

[0023] This module is responsible for capturing all relevant design data required for context-aware ECO generation. It imports netlists, timing reports, physical layout data, and design constraints from the EDA (Electronic Design Automation) environment. The module supports both hierarchical and flat design formats, enabling seamless integration into various phases of the IC design flow. It also performs initial validation to ensure that the imported data is consistent, up-to-date, and complete, providing a reliable foundation for downstream analysis. Context-aware timing analysis module

[0024] This module performs a detailed investigation of timing paths, violations, and slack margins in the design. It applies context-aware analysis techniques to evaluate timing performance both within individual hierarchical blocks and across the entire flat design representation. The module considers inter-block dependencies, clock domain transitions, and path sensitivities, ensuring that timing violations are not considered in isolation but in the broader context of their impact on the design. Hierarchical-flat mapping engine

[0025] This module serves as a central mapping layer between hierarchical and flat design views. It ensures synchronized correspondence between modular block-level netlists and the flattened global representation. The engine enables bidirectional traceability of timing paths, so timing violations identified in one view can be precisely located and corrected in the other. This ensures that ECO corrections are correctly propagated and validated across both representations without creating inconsistencies. ECO opportunity detection module

[0026] This module analyzes the results of the timing analysis to determine optimal points for implementing ECO corrections. It identifies nets, cells, or routing segments where changes can achieve the greatest timing improvement with minimal impact on the verified design parts. The selection process considers physical feasibility, logical correctness, and the impact on both hierarchical and flat contexts, reducing the likelihood of unintended side effects. ECO generation and optimization module

[0027] This module automatically generates ECO scripts and design changes based on the identified opportunities. It optimizes the changes to strike a balance between timing improvement, power consumption, and area utilization. The generation process uses intelligent algorithms that consider available free cells, existing routing channels, and design constraints to create precise, minimal, and effective changes that address timing violations without impacting other performance metrics. Verification and validation module

[0028] This module ensures that the generated ECOs meet all functional and performance requirements before implementation. It performs formal equivalence checks, incremental static timing analyses, and design rule checks to ensure that no new violations or functional incompatibilities arise. The module operates in both hierarchical and flat verification environments to ensure that the ECO is consistent across all levels of the design. ECO implementation and reporting module

[0029] This final module integrates the validated ECO into the main design database and generates comprehensive reports for the engineering teams. The reports include details on the changes made, their impact on timing, the correlation between hierarchical and flat structures, and the verification results. The module also updates version control systems to maintain a traceable history of ECO changes, enabling efficient design management and audit readiness.

[0030] The invention is explained again below with reference to the figure. It shows: Fig. a system (100) for context-aware timing ECO generation using hierarchical and flat design mapping.

[0031] Fig.shows a system (100) for context-aware timing ECO generation using hierarchical and flat design mapping. The operation of the proposed context-aware timing ECO generation system begins with the design data acquisition module, which imports hierarchical and flat netlists, timing reports, and physical constraints from the EDA environment. This information is processed by the context-aware timing analysis module, which identifies timing violations by considering the interdependencies between blocks and global paths. The hierarchical-flat mapping engine then establishes a synchronized correlation between the hierarchical modules and their flat counterparts, enabling precise traceability of violations across both views.Based on this associated information, the ECO Opportunity Identification module determines optimal modification points that provide maximum timing advantage with minimal impact on already verified areas.

[0032] Once opportunities have been identified, the ECO Generation and Optimization module creates optimized ECO scripts using available spare cells and routing resources, balancing timing, area, and performance constraints. The Verification and Validation module then verifies functional equivalence, design rule adherence, and timing closure in both hierarchical and flat contexts. Finally, the ECO Implementation and Reporting module integrates the validated ECO into the design database, updates version control records, and generates detailed impact reports for the engineering teams, ensuring traceability, compliance, and optimized design closure.

Claims

[1] A system (100) for context-related timing ECO generation using hierarchical and flat design mapping, comprising: a design data capture module configured to import hierarchical and flat design data including netlists, timing reports, physical layouts, and design constraints; a context-aware timing analysis module configured to detect timing violations in both hierarchical and flat design contexts; a hierarchical-flat mapping engine configured to establish a bidirectional correspondence between hierarchical and flat representations of the design; an ECO opportunity identification module configured to identify optimal modification points based on timing improvement potential and minimal design disturbances; an ECO generation and optimization module configured to create optimized ECO scripts taking into account timing, performance, and area constraints; a verification and validation module configured to confirm functional equivalence, adherence to design rules, and on-time completion; and an ECO implementation and reporting module configured to integrate the validated ECO into the main design database and generate traceable change reports; the system works in such a way that it generates context-related ECOs that maintain design consistency in both hierarchical and flat design views. [2] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the module for capturing design data performs preprocessing and validation to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the imported design data. [3] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the context-related timing analysis module evaluates clock domain transitions, delays between blocks and path sensitivities during the detection of violations. [4] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the hierarchical flat mapping engine supports incremental mapping updates when changes occur either in the hierarchical or in the flat design view. [5] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the ECO opportunity identification module uses machine learning algorithms to predict high-impact modification points. [6] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the ECO generation and optimization module selects replacement cells from predefined libraries to implement ECO corrections with minimal routing changes. [7] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the verification and validation module performs both a static timing analysis and a formal equivalence check after ECO generation. [8] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the ECO implementation and reporting module automatically updates version control and design configuration management systems. [9] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the context-related timing analysis module is configured to operate in parallel with physical design tools to reduce the ECO lead time. [10] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the hierarchical flat mapping engine enables direct navigation from a timing violation in a flat netlist to its corresponding instance in the hierarchical design for targeted debugging.

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