Digital Checker for Analog Circuit Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional digital checkers are unable to check virtual analog circuits as they can only monitor digital values of 0 or 1, and are unable to recognize the distinct ON and OFF states of analog circuits.

Innovation Solution

The method involves creating analog target dummies and digital target dummies, binding them together, and using a digital checker to monitor the digital target dummies, which can then check the analog target dummies in the virtual analog circuit, allowing the digital checker to recognize and verify the states of the analog targets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a digital checker is used to monitor digital circuits, then digital circuit verification is achieved, but the checker cannot recognize analog ON/OFF states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalog state recognitionVSAvoidchecker compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces target dummies as intermediary objects that bridge the analog circuit and digital checker. These dummies are created for each target in the analog circuit and bind the analog target to a digital representation, allowing the digital checker to indirectly monitor analog states through the dummy interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates digital copies (target dummies) of analog circuit targets. Each analog target is represented by a target dummy that contains both an analog portion (linked to the actual analog target) and a digital portion (visible to the digital checker), effectively copying the target's state into a format the checker can recognize.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If analog circuits are checked directly, then analog state monitoring is possible, but digital checkers cannot process analog values

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalog circuit checkingVSAvoidanalog-to-digital translation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the target representation into two distinct parts: an analog portion that interfaces with the actual analog circuit target, and a digital portion that interfaces with the digital checker. This segmentation allows each part to handle its native data type while the binding between them enables cross-domain verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation of analog states by mapping analog ON/OFF values to digital equivalents through the target dummy. The dummy translates analog parameters into digital parameters that the checker can process, preserving the essential state information while changing its form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8296714B2System and method for checking analog circuit with digital checker

Publication Date: 2012.10.23 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

Aspects of the present invention provide a system and method for checking a portion of an analog circuit using a digital checker. The method includes establishing a target in the analog circuit, creating an analog target dummy for the target, creating a digital target dummy, binding the digital target dummy to the analog target dummy, and checking a value of the digital target dummy with a digital checker.