Concurrent Electronic Circuit Layout Editing via Partition Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor circuit layout editing systems do not allow multiple designers to edit the same layout simultaneously, leading to inefficiencies and resource wastage in advanced node processes where collaboration is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A new layout editor tool enables multiple electronic circuit designers to edit different partitions of the same electronic circuit layout concurrently, using a processor to generate delta views and update partitions based on commands from design layout interfaces, allowing simultaneous modifications and local saving/checking in of edits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a database management system is used to control access to the semiconductor circuit layout database, then data integrity and consistency are maintained, but multiple designers cannot edit the layout simultaneously, leading to reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the semiconductor circuit layout into multiple independent partitions or regions. Each partition can be independently checked out and edited by different designers simultaneously. The database management system grants exclusive access to specific partitions rather than the entire layout, enabling concurrent editing while maintaining data integrity within each partition.
2Reliability
If a designer checks out the semiconductor circuit layout database for editing, then exclusive access and data consistency are ensured, but other designers are blocked from editing, causing loss of time and resource wastage
Solution Approach 1:
The layout database is segmented into multiple partitions, allowing different designers to check out different partitions simultaneously. This eliminates the sequential waiting time while ensuring that each partition maintains data consistency through exclusive access control at the partition level rather than the entire database level.
3Reliability
If the entire semiconductor circuit layout is treated as a single editable unit, then data integrity is maintained through centralized control, but collaboration between multiple designers is hindered, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the semiconductor circuit layout into multiple independent partitions that can be simultaneously checked out and edited by different designers. Each partition maintains data integrity through exclusive access control, while the overall system enables collaboration by allowing concurrent access to different partitions. Designers can work on different regions of the layout at the same time without interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of concurrency by allowing multiple checkouts of the same database simultaneously, each restricted to a specific partition. This transforms the traditional single-dimension access model (one designer at a time) into a multi-dimensional model where access is granted along the partition dimension, enabling parallel editing while maintaining data integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems of an electronic circuit design system described herein provide a new layout editor tool to make edits in an electronic circuit layout. A plurality of partitions is created in the electronic circuit layout. The new layout editor tool enables multiple electronic circuit designers to edit a different partition of the plurality of partitions of the same electronic circuit layout at the same time and save the edited partition locally.