Circuit Object Identification via Parameter Keys
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of combining multiple portions of electronic circuit designs into a complete system is error-prone due to potential naming conflicts between objects, leading to undesirable connectivity issues.
Innovation Solution
A method where each object in the circuit design is assigned a unique name by generating a key based on its configuration parameter values, allowing for error-free combination and reuse of previously compiled objects, and enabling automatic renaming and compact representation of configuration parameters using reversible hash functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If hierarchical design flow is used to partition large circuit designs, then design manageability is improved, but naming conflicts between objects in different portions occur leading to connectivity errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by generating separate netlists for different portions of the circuit design, allowing each portion to be independently compiled and managed. The unique object names with keys ensure that when these segmented netlists are combined, there are no naming conflicts between objects from different portions, thus maintaining both design manageability and connectivity correctness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of unique object names that include keys generated from configuration parameter values. This intermediary naming scheme acts as a mediator between different design portions, ensuring that objects from different portions can be combined without naming conflicts, thereby resolving the contradiction between hierarchical design benefits and connectivity errors.
2Reliability
If objects are assigned unique names with keys based on configuration parameters, then naming conflicts are eliminated, but the complexity of object identification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming configuration parameter values into keys that form part of the object name. This approach ensures unique identification of objects while systematically managing the complexity through a structured naming convention based on object parameters, rather than arbitrary unique identifiers.
3Reliability
If configuration parameter values are used to generate unique keys, then object uniqueness is ensured, but the visibility and debugging of parameter values becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by providing mechanisms to display configuration parameter values associated with objects during simulation and debugging. This feedback loop allows designers to view the parameter values that generated the unique keys, making debugging easier while maintaining object uniqueness through the key-based naming system.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure describes approaches for processing a circuit design. For each object of a plurality of objects of the circuit design, a respective key is generated as a function of a plurality of configuration parameter values of the object. Each object is renamed with a unique name that includes the key. A netlist of the circuit design is generated using the unique names and keys of the objects.