Electronic Design Graph Segmentation for Tool Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-level modeling systems face inefficiencies in managing multiple views of electronic designs, particularly due to time-consuming processes of copying and journaling directed graphs, and challenges in transferring information between customized graphs, which complicates algorithmic manipulations and parameter determination for basic elements.
Innovation Solution
The approach involves generating a low-level graph representing the invariant connectivity of an electronic design, with corresponding high-level graphs for each view that specify additional details, allowing transformations without altering the basic structure, and using shared nodes and edges to efficiently transfer information between software tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple customized directed graphs are constructed for algorithmic manipulations by various software tools, then each software tool can perform its specific manipulation, but the copying and journaling processes become time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the directed graph into two distinct parts: a shared base graph containing common nodes and edges, and multiple view-specific graphs that inherit from the base graph. This segmentation allows different software tools to access and manipulate their respective views without requiring complete copies of the entire graph structure, thereby reducing copying time while maintaining tool compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple customized directed graphs into a single shared base graph that is commonly inherited by all views. Instead of maintaining separate complete graphs for each software tool, the system combines their common elements into one shared structure, reducing redundancy and eliminating the need for time-consuming copying operations while preserving the adaptability needed for different tool-specific manipulations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If customized directed graphs are constructed for each software tool, then each tool can receive and modify the graph, but modifications by one tool may be undone before another tool receives the graph
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments graph modifications into two categories: changes to the shared base graph that are visible to all tools, and changes to view-specific graphs that are isolated to particular tools. This segmentation ensures that modifications by one tool do not inadvertently undo changes made by another tool, as each tool operates on its own view while sharing the common base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared base graph acts as an intermediary between multiple view-specific graphs and software tools. It provides a stable common foundation that mediates interactions between different tools, ensuring that modifications in one view do not propagate as undoing changes to other views, thereby maintaining modification consistency across the system.
3Loss of information
If information is transferred between various customized directed graphs, then parameter values can be collected, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the information transfer process into the shared base graph structure. Since all views inherit from the same base graph, parameter information can be collected and transferred through the shared structure rather than between multiple independent customized graphs. This reduces the complexity of information transfer while ensuring complete parameter information is captured across all views.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for processing an electronic design in a high level modeling system. A first graph is generated, with the nodes representing basic elements of the electronic design and including a shared node representing the basic element of a block, a port, or a network of the electronic design. Multiple second graphs are generated modeling different aspects of the electronic design. A first and second member of the nodes and edges of respective ones of the second graphs are each associated with the shared node of the first graph. The different aspects of the electronic design of the second-type graphs transformed, with a first attribute of one of the second graphs written to the shared node using the first member, and a second attribute of another of the second graphs determined as a function of the first attribute read from the shared node using the second member.