Automated Reconfiguration of Abutted Device Chains in Circuit Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electronic circuit design, inserting or modifying devices within complex chains of interconnected transistors is time-consuming and error-prone, especially when devices are abutted, leading to potential structural and operational violations that can result in defective integrated circuits.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for automatic reconfiguration of a chain of interconnected devices within a circuit design, allowing for the insertion of new devices while adhering to design rules by detecting edge overlaps, determining insertion points, and transforming devices to maintain compliance with structural and operational requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual insertion of devices into abutted chains is performed, then design flexibility is maintained, but time consumption increases and error risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual insertion processVSAvoidtime-consuming operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic reconfiguration of abutted device chains by detecting edge overlaps, determining insertion points, and transforming devices without requiring manual intervention for each step. The automated system handles the complex tasks of chain deconstruction, space allocation, device transformation, and reconstruction, eliminating the need for manual operations while maintaining design flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated computational processes. Instead of manually deconstructing, shifting, and reconstructing device chains, the system uses algorithms to detect edge overlaps, calculate insertion points, and automatically perform the reconfiguration operations, substituting human manual work with automated digital processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual reconfiguration of abutted chains is performed, then control over device placement is maintained, but likelihood of errors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual controlVSAvoiderror risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors design rule compliance during the reconfiguration process. It detects edge overlaps between the new device and existing chain devices, automatically determines valid insertion points based on detected overlaps, and verifies that the reconfigured chain maintains proper abutted relations and design rule compliance, providing feedback loops that prevent errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual error-prone operations are replaced with automated computational verification. The system automatically checks for design rule violations, validates insertion points, and ensures proper device transformations, eliminating human error while maintaining precise control over device placement through algorithmic decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If abutted chain reconfiguration is automated, then time efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconfiguration efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated reconfiguration system is divided into distinct functional modules: edge overlap detection module, insertion point determination module, device transformation module, and chain reconstruction module. Each module handles a specific aspect of the reconfiguration process, making the overall complex system manageable through modular architecture while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If devices are manually inserted into chains, then adaptability to different configurations is maintained, but task duration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidtask duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically adapts to different device configurations and chain structures. It detects the specific arrangement of abutted devices, automatically determines appropriate insertion points based on the detected edge overlaps, and performs the necessary transformations to maintain compatibility with the existing configuration, providing flexible adaptation without increasing task duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8910100B1System and method for automatically reconfiguring chain of abutted devices in electronic circuit design

Publication Date: 2014.12.09 CADENCE DESIGN SYST INC

AI summary

The subject system and method are generally directed to the user-friendly insertion of at least one device, and optionally chains of devices, into at least one pre-existing chain of interconnected devices within a graphical representation of a circuit design such as a circuit layout, circuit mask, or a schematic. The system and method provide for discerning the intended insertion points and performing remedial transformations of the devices within the chains to ensure compliance with both structural and operational requirements of the circuit design.