Design assistance device, design assistance method, and program

Abstract

To facilitate the work of a user to evaluate the result of DC analysis.SOLUTION: A design assistance device is constituted so as to assist in designing an electronic circuit having a power supply path including a power supply terminal and a plurality of loads. The design assistance device comprises: a load selection unit for allowing a user to select at least one load from the plurality of loads; an analysis unit for executing DC analysis on a virtual path constituted by excluding loads from the power supply path that are not selected from the plurality of loads by the load selection unit; a display data generation unit for generating display data for displaying the result of analysis by the analysis unit on a display; and a display control unit for causing the display to display the result of analysis by the analysis unit on the basis of the display data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a design support device, a design support method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] On a printed circuit board (PCB), the shape of the power supply pattern can have a significant impact on the quality of power supplied from the power supply to the load. In particular, poor quality of the DC current component can cause IC malfunctions. For this reason, verification is usually carried out at the design stage by specialized engineers using methods such as DC analysis.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes calculating the voltage distribution on the power plane and the ground plane at a selected frequency, and displaying the distribution of the voltage intensity as a two-dimensional voltage level map. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-366600 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Typically, power can be supplied from one power source to multiple loads through a power supply pattern. When DC analysis values ​​such as voltage distribution in a power supply pattern are displayed on a display, if the display is complex, the area that should be carefully observed may be lost in the overall image. From another perspective, when DC analysis values ​​are displayed in color, if the area that should be carefully observed is small or the color change in that area is small, the area may be lost in the overall image.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an advantageous technique for facilitating the user's task of evaluating the results of DC analysis. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a design support device that supports the design of an electronic circuit having a power supply path including a power supply terminal and a plurality of loads, the design support device comprising: a load selection unit that allows a user to select at least one load from the plurality of loads; an analysis unit that performs DC analysis on a virtual path formed by removing from the power supply path those loads among the plurality of loads that have not been selected by the load selection unit; a display data generation unit that generates display data for displaying the analysis results by the analysis unit on a display; and a display control unit that displays the analysis results by the analysis unit on a display based on the display data.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a design support device for supporting the design of an electronic circuit having a power supply path, the design support device comprising: an analysis unit that performs DC analysis on the power supply path; a display data generation unit that generates display data for displaying the analysis results by the analysis unit on a display; a display control unit that displays the analysis results by the analysis unit on the display based on the display data; and an editing unit, wherein the power supply path is displayed two-dimensionally on the display, the two-dimensional display of the power supply path being made up of a plurality of cells, the analysis results by the analysis unit including DC analysis values ​​corresponding to each cell, the display data including map data in which each cell is assigned one of a plurality of colors depending on which of a plurality of classes the DC analysis value at the coordinates of the cell belongs to, and color scale data indicating the assignment of each of the plurality of colors to the plurality of classes, and the editing unit allows a user to edit the color scale.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to operate as a design support device that supports the design of an electronic circuit having a power supply path including a power supply terminal and a plurality of loads, wherein the computer operates as the design support device and includes: a load selection unit that allows a user to select at least one load from the plurality of loads; an analysis unit that performs DC analysis on a virtual path formed by removing from the power supply path those loads among the plurality of loads that have not been selected by the load selection unit; a display data generation unit that generates display data for displaying the analysis results by the analysis unit on a display; and a display control unit that displays the analysis results by the analysis unit on a display based on the display data.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to operate as a design support device for supporting the design of an electronic circuit having a power supply path, the computer comprising: an analysis unit that performs DC analysis on the power supply path; a display data generation unit that generates display data for displaying analysis results by the analysis unit on a display; a display control unit that displays the analysis results by the analysis unit on the display based on the display data; and an editing unit, the power supply path is displayed two-dimensionally on the display, the two-dimensional display of the power supply path is made up of a plurality of cells, the analysis results by the analysis unit include a DC analysis value corresponding to each cell, the display data includes map data in which one of a plurality of colors is assigned to each cell depending on which of a plurality of classes the DC analysis value at the coordinates of the cell belongs to, and color scale data indicating the assignment of each of the plurality of colors to the plurality of classes, and the editing unit allows a user to edit the color scale, operating as the design support device.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to a design support method executed by a design support device to support the design of an electronic circuit having a power supply path including a power supply terminal and a plurality of loads, the design support method including: a load selection step of having a user select at least one load from the plurality of loads; an analysis step of performing a DC analysis on a virtual path formed by removing from the power supply path loads among the plurality of loads that have not been selected in the load selection step; a display data generation step of generating display data for displaying the analysis results from the analysis step on a display; and a display control step of displaying the analysis results from the analysis step on a display based on the display data.

[0012] A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to a design support method that is executed by a design support device and that supports the design of an electronic circuit having a power supply path, the design support method including: an analysis step of performing a DC analysis on the power supply path; a display data generation step of generating display data for displaying the analysis results from the analysis step on a display; a display control step of displaying the analysis results from the analysis step on the display based on the display data; and an editing step, wherein the power supply path is displayed two-dimensionally on the display, the two-dimensional display of the power supply path being made up of a plurality of cells, the analysis results from the analysis step including a DC analysis value corresponding to each cell, the display data including map data in which one of a plurality of colors is assigned to each cell depending on which of a plurality of classes the DC analysis value at the coordinates of the cell belongs to, and color scale data indicating the assignment of each of the plurality of colors to the plurality of classes, and the editing step allows a user to edit the color scale. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, an advantageous technique is provided for facilitating the user's task of evaluating the results of DC analysis. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a design support apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image of the distribution of DC analysis values ​​superimposed on the layout of an electronic circuit design (data) having one power supply path, displayed on a display. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the results of a DC analysis performed by selecting only one load from the plurality of loads in the power supply path illustrated in FIG. 2 by a load selection unit. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of the results of DC analysis performed by selecting only one load by the load selection unit from among the multiple loads on the power supply path illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the design support apparatus according to the embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the design support apparatus according to the embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a color scale. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining editing of a color scale. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a comparison between the operation of a uniform color scale and the operation of an area-dependent color scale. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of an editing unit for editing a color scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar components, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of a design support device 100 according to an embodiment. The design support device 100 may include, for example, a memory 110, a CPU (processor) 130, a display 140, and an input unit 150. The memory 110 stores a design support program 120, and the CPU 130 operates based on the design support program 120 to realize the functions of the design support device 100. In another aspect, the design support device 100 may be configured as a general-purpose or dedicated computer including the memory 110 and the CPU 130. The memory 110 may store (data of) an electronic circuit design 128 that is in the process of being designed or has been completed. The display 140 and the input unit 150 may constitute hardware components of a user interface. The input unit 150 may include, for example, a keyboard and a pointing device. The display 140 may be a touch-panel display, in which case all or part of the input unit 150 is incorporated into the display 140. The electronic circuit design (data) 128 may be two-dimensional data indicating a two-dimensional structure, or may be three-dimensional data indicating a three-dimensional structure.

[0017] The design support program 120 may be stored in a computer-readable memory and sold, assigned, or loaned. The design support program 120 may be sold, assigned, or loaned via an electric communication line or an electric communication path. The design support program 120 may operate the design support device 100 as a device including, for example, a load selection unit 121, an analysis unit 122, a display data generation unit 123, a display control unit 124, an editing unit 125, a power supply path selection unit 126, and a design support unit 127.

[0018] The design support device 100 may be configured to support the design of an electronic circuit having a power supply path. The power supply path may include one power supply terminal and multiple loads. The electronic circuit whose design is supported by the design support device 100 may include multiple power supply paths, in which case each of the multiple power supply paths may include one power supply terminal and multiple loads. The power supply terminal may be, for example, a power supply terminal of a power connector or a voltage output terminal of an electronic component.

[0019] The load selection unit 121 may be a software module that configures a user interface that allows a user to select at least one load from a plurality of loads in a power supply path. The analysis unit 122 may be a software module that performs DC analysis on a power supply path. Alternatively, the analysis unit 122 may be a software module that performs DC analysis on a virtual path that is formed by removing from the power supply path loads that have not been selected by the load selection unit 121 from the plurality of loads in the power supply path. The DC analysis may include, for example, an analysis of current density in the virtual path and an analysis of voltage (or voltage distribution) in the virtual path.

[0020] The display data generation unit 123 may be a software module that generates display data for displaying the analysis results by the analysis unit 122 on the display 140. The display control unit 124 may be a software module that causes the analysis results by the analysis unit 122 to be displayed on the display 140 based on the display data. The display data generation unit 123 may generate two-dimensional display data based on, for example, an electronic circuit design (data) 128 by projecting multiple components (including, for example, a multilayer PCB board, wiring patterns, vias, etc.) that make up the electronic circuit design 128 onto a plane. This plane may be a plane defined outside the electronic circuit design 128, or may be a cross section that cuts the electronic circuit design 128.

[0021] The virtual route may be displayed two-dimensionally on the display 140 (the display screen). The two-dimensional display of the virtual route may be composed of multiple cells. Each cell may be composed of one or multiple pixels and may be assigned a single color. The analysis result by the analysis unit 122 may include a DC analysis value corresponding to each cell. The DC analysis value may belong to one of multiple classes. For example, if the maximum value of the DC analysis value is Vmax, the minimum value of the DC analysis value is Vmin, and the range of Vmax-Vmin is equally divided into N classes, each class may have a range of (Vmax-Vmin) / N. If each class is defined as the smallest, each class may be equal to the resolution (smallest unit) of the DC analysis value.

[0022] As schematically shown in FIG. 2, the display data may include data of a map 301 and data of a color scale 302. The data of the map 301 is data in which one of a plurality of colors is assigned to each cell according to the class to which the DC analysis value at the coordinates of the cell belongs. The data of the color scale 302 is data indicating the assignment of a plurality of colors to a plurality of classes. The editing unit 125 may be a software module that allows a user to edit the color scale 302. An n-th color Cn of a plurality of colors Ci (i = 1 to N) is assigned to an n-th class Rn of a plurality of classes Ri (i = 1 to N). While any assignment method may be used, for example, the visible light range that the display 140 can represent may be divided into N regions, and the DC analysis value (class value) may increase as the value of i increases from the short wavelength side (blue side) to the long wavelength side (red side). In such an example, blue may be assigned to the class with the smallest class value, and red may be assigned to the class with the largest class value.

[0023] When the editing unit 125 allows the user to change the color scale 302 , the display data generator 123 is operable to regenerate the data of the map 301 and the data of the color scale 302 to match the change to the color scale 302 .

[0024] The power supply path selection unit 126 may be a software module that allows a user to select one power supply path from a plurality of power supply paths. When the power supply path selection unit 126 is provided, the load selection unit 121 may operate to allow a user to select at least one load from a plurality of loads in the power supply path selected by the power supply path selection unit 126.

[0025] The design support unit 127 may be a software module that supports a user in editing an electronic circuit design. The design support unit 127 may provide, for example, a placement function for placing components on one or more layers of a structure such as a PCB, a wiring function for connecting components with conductive paths, a DRC (design rule check) function, and the like.

[0026] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image in which the distribution of DC analysis values ​​is superimposed on the layout of (data of) an electronic circuit design 128 having one power supply path, and is displayed on the display 140. The one power supply path shown in FIG. 2 may include one power supply terminal 201 and multiple loads 211, 212, and 213. The example in FIG. 2 is an example in which all of the multiple loads 211, 212, and 213 of the power supply path have been selected by the user (load selector 121), i.e., an example in which one power supply path in (data of) the electronic circuit design 128 matches the corresponding virtual path.

[0027] As described above, the display data for displaying the analysis results by the analysis unit 122 on the display 140 may include map 301 data (data in which one of a plurality of colors is assigned to each cell depending on which of a plurality of classes the DC analysis value at the coordinates of the cell belongs to) and color scale 302 data (data indicating the assignment of each of the plurality of colors to the plurality of classes). Note that in FIG. 2, the plurality of colors are represented by different monochrome gradation values. However, the plurality of colors may also be represented by a combination of red, green, and blue luminance values, for example.

[0028] Fig. 3 illustrates the results of a DC analysis performed by selecting only the load 211 by the load selection unit 121 from among the multiple loads 211, 212, 213, and 214 on the power supply path illustrated in Fig. 2. In this example, the analysis unit 122 performs a DC analysis on a virtual path formed by removing from the power supply path the loads 212, 213, and 214 that have not been selected by the load selection unit 121 from among the multiple loads 211, 212, 213, and 214 on the power supply path.

[0029] Fig. 4 illustrates the results of a DC analysis performed by selecting only the load 212 by the load selection unit 121 from among the multiple loads 211, 212, 213, and 214 on the power supply path illustrated in Fig. 2. In this example, the analysis unit 122 performs a DC analysis on a virtual path formed by removing from the power supply path the loads 211, 213, and 214 that have not been selected by the load selection unit 121 from among the multiple loads 211, 212, 213, and 214 on the power supply path.

[0030] In this way, by performing DC analysis on a virtual path formed by removing from the power path the loads not selected by the load selection unit 121, it is possible to perform DC analysis by focusing on the power pattern connecting the power terminal 201 and the load 211, and it is possible to prevent the user from overlooking a defect due to a point that should be carefully observed being buried in the whole. This makes it easier for the user to evaluate the results of the DC analysis.

[0031] The area Ai (i = 1 to N) occupied by each of the multiple colors Ci (i = 1 to N) in the color scale 302 may depend on the number of cells having DC analysis values ​​that belong to each of the multiple classes Ri (i = 1 to N). In other words, the area Ai occupied by one color Ci may depend on the number of cells having DC analysis values ​​that belong to the class Ri to which it is assigned. To give a more specific example, the area Ai (i = 1 to N) occupied by each of the multiple colors Ci (i = 1 to N) in the color scale 302 may be proportional to the number of cells having DC analysis values ​​that belong to each of the multiple classes Ri (i = 1 to N).

[0032] The editing unit 125 may be, for example, a software module that allows a user to select a range in the color scale 302, and the display data generation unit 123 changes the color scale 302 so that multiple colors or a predetermined portion of the multiple colors fall within the range. The editing unit 125 may, for example, display an operation unit that allows a user to select a range in the color scale 302, overlaid on the color scale 302 or near the color scale 302. The editing unit 125 may include, for example, handles 311 and 312. The user can move the handles 311 and 312 by operating the input unit 150 (for example, a pointing device), thereby editing the correspondence between multiple classes and multiple colors.

[0033] The color scale 302 will be visually explained with reference to FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b). FIG. 7(a) illustrates a histogram of DC analysis values ​​at the coordinates of each of a plurality of cells (here, for simplicity, ten cells). In this example, the DC analysis values ​​at the coordinates of each of the plurality of cells belong to one of five classes R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5. Class R1 includes the DC analysis values ​​at the coordinates of each of the five cells. In other words, the DC analysis values ​​of the five cells belong to class R1. Class R2 includes the DC analysis values ​​at the coordinates of two cells. In other words, the DC analysis values ​​of the two cells belong to class R2. Classes R3, R4, and R5 each include the DC analysis values ​​at the coordinates of one cell. In other words, the DC analysis values ​​of one cell belong to each class.

[0034] FIG. 7(b) illustrates a color scale 302 according to this embodiment, corresponding to the example in FIG. 7(a). In the color scale 302 of FIG. 7(b), the area Ai (i = 1 to 5) occupied by each of the multiple colors Ci (i = 1 to 5) depends on the number of cells having DC analysis values ​​belonging to each of the multiple classes Ri (i = 1 to 5). In other words, the area Ai occupied by one color Ci depends on the number of cells having DC analysis values ​​belonging to the class Ri to which it is assigned. Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 7(b), the area Ai (i = 1 to 5) occupied by each of the multiple colors Ci (i = 1 to 5) in the color scale 302 is proportional to the number of cells having DC analysis values ​​belonging to each of the multiple classes Ri (i = 1 to 5). The color scale 302 according to this embodiment may also be referred to as an area-dependent color scale. On the other hand, unlike this embodiment, a color scale configured by arranging a plurality of colors Ci (i=1 to 5) at equal intervals can also be called a uniform color scale.

[0035] 8( a), (b), and (c) exemplarily illustrate operations performed by the editing unit 125 to allow a user to edit the correspondence between multiple classes of DC analysis values ​​and multiple colors through manipulation of the handles 311 and 312. In this example, a range is selected through manipulation of the handles 311 and 312, with the lower limit being the position of the left handle 311 and the upper limit being the position of the right handle 312. The display data generation unit 123 can change the color scale 302 so that the multiple colors constituting the color scale 302, or a predetermined portion of the multiple colors, fall within this range. At this time, the display data generation unit 123 can operate to regenerate the data of the color scale 302 so that it conforms to the user's request for changing the color scale 302. The display data generation unit 123 can also operate to regenerate the data of the map 301 so that it conforms to the change in the color scale 302.

[0036] FIG. 9 exemplarily illustrates a comparison of the display of the DC analysis results shown in FIG. 2 when operating a uniform color scale and an area-dependent color scale. The color scale shown at the top has no colors. The left and right handles correspond to the aforementioned handles 311 and 312, respectively. It can be seen that, in the uniform color scale, operating the right handle does not result in a change in the color distribution. On the other hand, in the area-dependent color scale, operating the right handle changes the color scale accordingly, resulting in a clear change in the color distribution. Therefore, by enabling users to check the results of the DC analysis while operating the handles on the area-dependent color scale, the task of evaluating the results of the DC analysis is simplified.

[0037] 6 and 7, the operation of the design support device 100 will be described. This operation can be understood as a design support method executed by the design support device 100. This operation can also be understood as a design support method executed by a design support program.

[0038] First, the operation of the design support device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In step S501, the design support unit 127 of the design support program 120 supports the user in editing the electronic circuit design 128. In step S502, it is determined whether or not to perform DC analysis, that is, whether or not the user has requested that DC analysis be performed. If DC analysis is to be performed, step S503 is executed. Thereafter, in step S504, it is determined whether or not to end the editing of the electronic circuit design 128. If not, step S501 is executed, and if so, execution of the design support program 120 is terminated.

[0039] The operation of the design support device 100 for DC analysis will be described below with reference to FIG. 6. In step S601, the power supply path selection unit 126 extracts multiple power supply paths from the design data of the electronic circuit design 128. In step S602, the power supply path selection unit 126 prompts the user to select one power supply path from the multiple power supply paths. Note that if steps S601 and S602 do not need to be performed, step S602 may be skipped. FIG. 10 schematically illustrates an example of the display screen of the display 140 in step S602. In the example of FIG. 10, four power supply paths, VCC_1P2V_GND, VCC_1P8V_GND, VCC_2P3V_GND, and VBAT_GND, are displayed as examples of multiple power supply paths. The user can select one of these power supply paths to be subjected to DC analysis by operating the input unit 150.

[0040] In step S603, the load selection unit 121 extracts components that constitute the power supply path selected in step S602. In step S604, the load selection unit 121 prompts the user to select at least one load from the multiple loads on the power supply path. Fig. 11 schematically shows an example of the display screen of the display 140 in step S604. In the example of Fig. 11, the power supply path VBAT_GND is selected as the target of DC analysis, and of the components CN7, IC5, IC13, and IC14 that constitute this power supply path, the component CN7 is selected as the power supply, and the components IC13 and IC14 are selected by the user as loads to be analyzed.

[0041] In step S605, the analysis unit 122 generates data of a virtual path formed by removing from the power supply path loads that have not been selected by the load selection unit 121 from among the multiple loads in the power supply path, and in step S606, the analysis unit 122 performs DC analysis on the virtual path.

[0042] In step S606, the display data generation unit 123 generates display data (data of map 301, data of color scale 302) according to default settings based on the results of the DC analysis performed in step S606. In step S607, the display control unit 124 causes the display 140 to display the analysis results by the analysis unit 122 based on the display data (data of map 301, data of color scale 302).

[0043] In step S609, the editing unit 125 allows the user to edit the color scale 302. In step S609, for example, the editing unit 125 may allow the user to operate at least one of the handles 311 and 312.

[0044] In step S610, the display data generator 123 generates display data according to the new settings. Specifically, the display data generator 123 may regenerate the data of the map 301 and the data of the color scale 302 to match the changes in the color scale 302.

[0045] In step S611, the display control unit 124 causes the display 140 to display the analysis results by the analysis unit 122 based on the regenerated display data (data of the map 301 and data of the color scale 302).

[0046] In step S612, it is determined whether or not the operation relating to the DC analysis is to be completed. If not, step S609 is executed, and if completed, the process proceeds to step S504.

[0047] FIG. 12 shows another example of the editing unit 125 for editing the color scale. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the editing unit 125 allows the user to edit the relationship between the DC analysis value (or the class to which it belongs) and the color assigned to it. For example, the user can arbitrarily shape the curve that shows the relationship between the DC analysis value (or the class to which it belongs) and the color assigned to it by operating the input unit 150. Four examples of editing this relationship are shown in FIGS. 12(a) to 12(d).

[0048] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 201: Power terminal, 211-214: Load, 301: Map, 302: Color scale, 311, 312: Handle

Claims

1. A design support device for supporting the design of an electronic circuit having a power supply path including a power supply terminal and a plurality of loads, a load selection unit that allows a user to select at least one load from the plurality of loads; an analysis unit that performs a DC analysis on a virtual path formed by removing from the power supply path loads that are not selected by the load selection unit among the plurality of loads; a display data generation unit that generates display data for displaying the analysis result by the analysis unit on a display; a display control unit that displays the analysis result by the analysis unit on a display based on the display data; A design support device comprising:

2. The power terminal includes a power terminal of a power connector.

2. The design support device according to claim 1.

3. The power supply terminal includes a voltage output terminal of an electronic component.

2. The design support device according to claim 1.

4. the electronic circuit includes a plurality of power supply paths, each of the plurality of power supply paths including a power supply terminal and a plurality of loads; The design support device a power supply path selection unit that allows a user to select one power supply path from the plurality of power supply paths; the load selection unit prompts a user to select at least one load from the plurality of loads in the power supply path selected by the power supply path selection unit; 4. The design support device according to claim 3.

5. the DC analysis includes an analysis of current density in the virtual path; 2. The design support device according to claim 1.

6. The DC analysis includes an analysis of voltages in the virtual paths.

2. The design support device according to claim 1.

7. the virtual route is displayed two-dimensionally on the display, the two-dimensional display of the virtual route being composed of a plurality of cells; The analysis result by the analysis unit includes a DC analysis value at the coordinates of each cell, the display data includes map data in which one of a plurality of colors is assigned to each cell depending on which of a plurality of classes the DC analysis value at the coordinates of the cell belongs to, and color scale data indicating the assignment of each of the plurality of colors to the plurality of classes; the design support device further includes an editing unit that allows a user to edit the color scale; 2. The design support device according to claim 1.

8. the display data generator regenerates the map data to match the change in the color scale; 8. The design support device according to claim 7.

9. an area occupied by each of the plurality of colors in the color scale depends on the number of cells having the DC analysis value that belong to each of the plurality of classes; 9. The design support device according to claim 8.

10. an area occupied by each of the plurality of colors in the color scale is proportional to the number of cells having the DC analysis value that belong to each of the plurality of classes; 9. The design support device according to claim 8.

11. the editing unit allows a user to select a range in the color scale; the display data generation unit changes the color scale so that the plurality of colors or a predetermined part of the plurality of colors falls within the range.

11. The design support device according to claim 10.

12. A design support device for supporting the design of an electronic circuit having a power supply path, an analysis unit that performs a DC analysis on the power supply path; a display data generation unit that generates display data for displaying the analysis result by the analysis unit on a display; a display control unit that displays the analysis result by the analysis unit on a display based on the display data; Editorial department and, the power supply path is displayed two-dimensionally on the display, and the two-dimensional display of the power supply path is made up of a plurality of cells; the analysis result by the analysis unit includes a DC analysis value corresponding to each cell; the display data includes map data in which one of a plurality of colors is assigned to each cell depending on which of a plurality of classes the DC analysis value at the coordinates of the cell belongs to, and color scale data indicating the assignment of each of the plurality of colors to the plurality of classes; the editing unit allows a user to edit the color scale; A design support device characterized by:

13. the display data generator regenerates the map data to match the change in the color scale; 13. The design support device according to claim 12.

14. an area occupied by each of the plurality of colors in the color scale depends on the number of cells having the DC analysis value that belong to each of the plurality of classes; 14. The design support device according to claim 13.

15. an area occupied by each of the plurality of colors in the color scale is proportional to the number of cells having the DC analysis value that belong to each of the plurality of classes; 14. The design support device according to claim 13.

16. the editing unit allows a user to select a range in the color scale; the display data generation unit changes the color scale so that the plurality of colors or a predetermined part of the plurality of colors falls within the range.

16. The design support device according to claim 15.

17. A program for causing a computer to operate as the design support device according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. 1. A design support method executed by a design support device to support design of an electronic circuit having a power supply path including a power supply terminal and a plurality of loads, comprising: a load selection step of allowing a user to select at least one load from the plurality of loads; an analysis step of performing a DC analysis on a virtual path formed by removing from the power supply path loads not selected in the load selection step among the plurality of loads; a display data generating step of generating display data for displaying the analysis result in the analyzing step on a display; a display control step of displaying the analysis result from the analysis step on a display based on the display data; A design support method comprising:

19. A design support method executed by a design support device to support design of an electronic circuit having a power supply path, comprising: an analysis step of performing a DC analysis on the power supply path; a display data generating step of generating display data for displaying the analysis result obtained by the analyzing step on a display; a display control step of displaying the analysis result from the analysis step on a display based on the display data; an editing step, the power supply path is displayed two-dimensionally on the display, and the two-dimensional display of the power supply path is made up of a plurality of cells; the analysis result from the analysis step includes a DC analysis value corresponding to each cell; the display data includes map data in which one of a plurality of colors is assigned to each cell depending on which of a plurality of classes the DC analysis value at the coordinates of the cell belongs to, and color scale data indicating the assignment of each of the plurality of colors to the plurality of classes; In the editing step, the user is allowed to edit the color scale. A design support method comprising:

Images