EDA Routing Variants via Line-Probe Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuit design tools typically provide only one possible route between two points in a schematic, which may not align with the designer's preferences, limiting user choice and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A system using a line-probe-search technique to generate multiple route variants between a source and destination point in a schematic, allowing users to select preferred routes based on cost and design preferences, by radiating initial and avoidance probes and determining intersections to create alternative paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a routing mechanism provides only one possible route between two points, then the routing process is simple and fast, but the user has limited choice and flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the routing problem by generating multiple distinct route variants between source and destination points. Each route variant represents a separate solution path, allowing users to choose from segmented options rather than a single monolithic route. This segmentation directly addresses the contradiction by providing user choice (improving adaptability) while maintaining structured generation through probe sets (controlling complexity).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of route generation from producing a single solution to producing multiple solutions with varying characteristics. By adjusting the routing parameters to generate diverse route variants with different costs, lengths, and geometries, the system provides user choice without proportionally increasing complexity. The parameter change enables flexibility while the underlying algorithm maintains efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a routing mechanism uses different sets of heuristics to generate routes, then multiple route options are provided, but the routing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating probe sets from the source point and destination point before computing intersections. These probe sets are prepared in advance and can be reused or adjusted for generating multiple route variants. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity of generating multiple route options, as the foundational probe structures are already in place rather than creating entirely new routing logic for each variant.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing mechanism achieves universality by using a single probe-based algorithm that can generate multiple route variants through different intersection combinations. The same probe set generation and intersection detection logic serves multiple purposes: finding the primary route, identifying alternative routes, and providing options with different characteristics. This multi-functionality provides route options without proportionally increasing mechanism complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a system that facilitates the creation of a schematic in an electronic design automation (EDA) application. During operation, the system obtains a source point and a destination point in the schematic from a user of the EDA application. Next, the system uses a line-probe-search technique to generate a set of route variants between the source point and the destination point. The system then provides the route variants to the user through a graphical user interface (GUI) in the EDA application and obtains, from the user, a selection of a route variant from the route variants through the GUI. Finally, the system uses the selected route variant as a route in the schematic.