Data Flow Graph Refinement Using Range Set Propagation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital circuit design techniques, such as those using Hardware Description Languages (HDLs), face challenges in optimizing circuit designs for implementation in integrated circuits (ICs) in terms of resource utilization, power consumption, latency, and clock speed, as they often result in larger netlists and inefficient circuit implementations.
Innovation Solution
The method involves converting circuit designs specified in HDLs into data flow graphs (DFGs) and utilizing range set data structures to determine actual node values, allowing for the refinement of DFGs by pruning nodes and sections, thereby reducing the size of the netlist and improving the Quality of Result (QOR) by using range and constant propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional HDL synthesis methods are used to convert circuit designs into netlists, then the design process is straightforward and maintains functional equivalence, but the resulting netlists are larger and lead to inefficient circuit implementations with higher resource utilization, power consumption, and latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the data flow graph through range set propagation, where node value ranges are analyzed and tightened to eliminate redundant nodes and sections. This transformation changes the structural parameters of the netlist while maintaining functional equivalence, resulting in smaller, more efficient circuit implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes redundant nodes and sections from the data flow graph based on range set analysis. By identifying nodes whose value ranges can be tightly constrained through propagation, the method extracts unnecessary circuit elements that would otherwise increase netlist size and resource utilization without contributing to functional output.
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional HDL synthesis methods are used, then the design process is simple, but the circuit implementations consume more power and have higher latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the design process by introducing range set propagation analysis as an intermediate step between HDL conversion and netlist generation. This additional analysis phase enables power optimization by identifying and removing redundant circuit elements, with the increased design complexity offset by automated algorithmic processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by conducting range set propagation analysis before final netlist generation. This preliminary analysis identifies nodes with constrained value ranges that can be eliminated or optimized, allowing power consumption reduction to be built into the design process rather than applied as a post-processing fix.
3Speed
If traditional HDL synthesis methods are used, then the design flow is straightforward, but the circuit implementations achieve lower clock speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the data flow graph structure through range set propagation, which identifies nodes whose value ranges are constrained to specific subsets. This structural transformation reduces circuit complexity and enables higher clock speeds by eliminating redundant logic paths while maintaining the original design's functional behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts redundant nodes and sections from the data flow graph that do not contribute to the functional output. By removing these unnecessary elements through range set analysis, the circuit implementation becomes simpler with fewer logic levels and shorter critical paths, directly enabling higher clock speeds.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementing a circuit design within an integrated circuit can include converting the circuit design, specified in a hardware description language, into a data flow graph and creating range set data structures in a memory. The range set data structures correspond to nodes of the data flow graph. Each range set data structure can be initialized with a range of values the corresponding node can take as specified by the circuit design. The method can include determining actual values the nodes are capable of taking by propagating the values through the data flow graph. The range set data structures are updated to store the actual values for the corresponding nodes. The method also can include modifying a selected node of the data flow graph based on the actual values stored in the range set data structure of the selected node and semantics of the selected node.