Adaptive Connection Bundling for PCB Autorouting Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current PCB design autorouters lack the ability to effectively capture and implement a designer's routing strategy, leading to inefficient and time-consuming manual routing processes due to limited control over the routing process and inability to convey design intent, resulting in delayed product development.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allows for the automatic bundling of connections in a circuit design layout, enabling designers to influence the routing process by defining bundles and flows, which are then used to guide the routing engine, thereby reducing manual intervention and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual routing is used to achieve precise control over interconnection paths, then routing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to the extremely slow and arduous process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the routing control into two levels: automatic routing for general path generation and manual guidance for critical decision points. The system divides the routing process into segments where automated algorithms handle routine pathfinding while manual intervention occurs at specific guidance points, combining the speed of automation with the precision of manual control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by allowing users to define routing constraints, preferences, and guidance rules before the automatic routing process begins. These pre-defined parameters guide the autorouter to produce results that align with design intent, reducing the need for extensive manual editing afterward while maintaining routing precision.
2Productivity
If automatic routing engines are used to improve productivity, then routing speed is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to limited user control over routing decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the autorouter continuously evaluates routing progress against user-defined constraints and guidance rules. The system provides feedback on routing decisions and allows users to adjust parameters iteratively, maintaining both high productivity and user control through a closed-loop interaction model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the routing system dynamic by allowing user parameters and constraints to be modified during the routing process. The autorouter adapts to changing user preferences and design requirements in real-time, enabling flexible control without sacrificing automation efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If extensive manual editing is performed to meet delay constraints, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to the long design phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having users define delay constraints and performance requirements before routing begins. The autorouter uses these pre-defined parameters to automatically generate routes that meet delay constraints, eliminating the need for extensive post-routing manual editing and significantly reducing design phase duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual route editing with an automated computational system. The autorouter uses algorithms to automatically adjust and optimize routing paths to meet delay constraints, substituting manual mechanical editing with automated intellectual processing that is both faster and more precise.
4Adaptability or versatility
If current autorouting tools are used to handle increasing PCB complexity, then adaptability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates as designs exceed tool capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments complex routing problems into manageable components by allowing users to define specific routing guidance rules for different regions or types of connections. This segmentation enables the autorouter to handle high PCB complexity by breaking down overwhelming global optimization problems into smaller, more tractable local decisions that maintain ease of manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
Automatic bundle filtering is provided to selectively configure a circuit design having a plurality of component terminals for physical implementation. A placement of components is established for a layout of the circuit design, and a plurality of connections to be routed between predetermined terminals of the components are defined for the layout, with a certain plurality of them selectively grouped into at least one candidate bundle. At least one filter is applied to the connections of each candidate bundle for responsive segregation according to a preselected connection discriminant into one or more updated bundle candidates. Each updated bundle candidate is preferably evaluated in accordance with at least one preselected bundling criteria to identify acceptable bundle candidates therefrom. Bundles corresponding to the acceptable bundle candidates are then generated.