Circuit Design Automation Tool for Error Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chip design tools rely on traditional document editors and lack advanced features for detecting errors and generating consistent descriptions, which can lead to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in designing electronic circuits like ASICs and FPGAs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes a processor-based tool to provide a description of a device, include features, add information, detect relationships, and generate messages, incorporating templates and XML processing to ensure semantic consistency and generate output files, such as RTL and VHDL files, while allowing users to create derived views and check for errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional document editors are used for chip design, then ease of operation is maintained, but error detection capability and semantic consistency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines traditional document editor functionality with automated error detection and semantic consistency checking capabilities into a unified system. The processor-based tool integrates with the document editor to provide both ease of operation and enhanced reliability through automated relationship detection between device features and information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a processor-based tool as an intermediary between the user and the document editor. This intermediary component automatically detects relationships between device features and information, generating messages about inconsistencies without requiring users to manually perform complex analysis, thus improving error detection while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Reliability
If advanced error detection features are added to document editors, then reliability improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated error detection and semantic consistency checking without requiring user intervention. The processor-based tool automatically analyzes the device description, detects relationships between features and information, and generates consistency messages, allowing the system to serve itself in performing complex validation tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary error detection and consistency checking during the document creation process. The system proactively identifies potential errors and semantic inconsistencies before they propagate through the design process, providing users with feedback that guides corrections while maintaining a simple operational interface.
3Manufacturing precision
If automated relationship detection is implemented, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the error detection process into distinct functional components: feature identification, relationship detection, consistency checking, and message generation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, improving design accuracy while managing processing complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor-based tool is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a document editor and an automated error detection system. By combining multiple functions into a single unified tool, the system achieves high design accuracy through comprehensive relationship detection without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for designing an electric or electronic circuit. A method may include providing a description of a device; including at least one feature of the device in the description; adding an information pertaining to the at least one feature; configuring the description to detect a relationship between the information and the at least one feature; and generating a message conveying the relationship. The method may include generating one or more derived files. The one or more derived files may be generated or processed by a word processor. Systems based on the foregoing method are also described.


