Circuit Failure Mode Analysis Using Functional Primitives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current failure mode analysis in circuit design for safety-critical systems is inaccurate due to subjective and manual characterization of safety data, leading to unreliable safety metrics and functional safety verification, especially in the absence of pre-characterized data for circuit components.
Innovation Solution
The method involves identifying and extracting functional primitives of circuit design components to determine root cause logic for specific failure modes, enabling accurate failure mode distribution calculations and fault list generation, with selective granularity for improved accuracy and automated safety data management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual ad-hoc characterization of safety data is performed for every circuit component, then safety data can be obtained, but accuracy and reliability of safety metrics deteriorate due to subjectivity and human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of safety data characterization with an automated computer-implemented system. The automated system extracts functional primitives from circuit design components and systematically determines root cause logic for failure modes, eliminating human subjectivity and error while improving both reliability and precision of safety metrics
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables circuit components to self-characterize their safety data through automated extraction of functional primitives and root cause logic determination. Each circuit component can independently contribute its safety characteristics without requiring manual intervention, improving efficiency and consistency across the entire circuit design
2Measurement precision
If automated methods are implemented for safety data characterization, then accuracy and reliability of safety metrics improve, but device complexity increases due to additional processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex safety analysis process into distinct functional primitives that can be independently extracted and analyzed. By breaking down circuit components into their fundamental functional elements, the system manages complexity through modular processing while maintaining high precision in safety metric calculation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of analysis by extracting functional primitives at the logic level rather than treating components as black boxes. This additional layer of abstraction enables more precise safety characterization without proportionally increasing physical system complexity, as the enhancement occurs in the computational/analytical domain
3Measurement precision
If detailed root cause logic is determined for each failure mode, then accuracy of failure mode distribution calculation improves, but loss of time increases due to extensive analysis requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary extraction of functional primitives from circuit components before conducting failure mode analysis. By pre-processing and organizing the functional building blocks in advance, the system reduces the time required for subsequent failure mode distribution calculations while maintaining detailed and accurate root cause logic determination
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments provide for failure mode analysis of a circuit design, which can be used as part of electronic design automation (EDA). In particular, some embodiments provide for failure mode analysis of a circuit design by determining a set of functional primitives of a circuit design component (e.g., cell at gate level) that contribute to a root cause logic for a specific failure mode.