Dynamic Netlist Maintenance in Circuit Diagram Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Simulation environments often require compilation processes that involve netlists different from those presented during editing, leading to inefficiencies in maintaining and updating circuit diagrams.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for dynamically maintaining a global netlist while editing a circuit diagram, which includes updating the netlist based on user input and analyzing the circuit diagram to determine net names using a set of rules, eliminating the need for a separate flattening process at compile time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a compilation process is used to generate netlists for simulation, then the netlist can be processed for simulation, but the netlist becomes different from what is presented during editing time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining a global netlist that is continuously updated during the editing process itself. As users add, remove, or modify components and nets in the circuit diagram, the global netlist is automatically updated in real-time to reflect these changes. This preliminary maintenance of the netlist during editing eliminates or reduces the need for a separate compilation process later, as the netlist is already in its final form when editing is complete.
2Productivity
If the global netlist is updated dynamically during editing, then the circuit diagram is ready for compilation without additional processing, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the netlist maintenance function with the circuit diagram editing function. The global netlist is maintained as an integrated component of the editing environment, automatically synchronized with the circuit diagram as users work. This merging eliminates the need for separate netlist generation and compilation steps, as the netlist is continuously kept in sync with the diagram during the editing process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The global netlist performs self-service by automatically updating itself based on changes detected in the circuit diagram. When users modify the diagram, the system automatically detects these changes and updates the corresponding netlist entries without requiring manual intervention or separate compilation commands. This self-maintaining approach reduces system complexity by making the netlist updates transparent and automatic.
3Loss of time
If net names are determined using a set of rules during editing, then netlist resolution is eliminated at compile time, but the rule processing overhead increases during editing
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by determining net names using a set of hierarchical rules during the editing process itself, rather than waiting for compilation time. The rules evaluate different naming sources (user assignments, global connectors, hierarchical connectors, automatic numbering) and resolve net names in advance. This preliminary resolution of net names during editing eliminates the need for name resolution processing during compilation, shifting the processing overhead to the editing phase when the user is already actively working with the diagram.
Data Source
AI summary
Maintaining a netlist while editing a circuit diagram. The circuit diagram may be displayed on a display. The circuit diagram may include a plurality of electronic components connected by nets and may also include modular block(s) which represent a circuit portion in a hierarchical fashion. A global netlist may be stored that includes information regarding the nets of the circuit diagram. User input may be received which modifies the circuit diagram. Accordingly, the global netlist may be updated in response to the user input modifying the circuit diagram. The circuit diagram may be updated on the display based on updating the global netlist. Receiving the user input and updating the global netlist and circuit diagram may be performed a plurality of times, in a dynamic fashion during edit time.