Equation Context Separation for EDA Readability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and length of equations used in electronic design automation (EDA) software, particularly due to embedded analysis and data source information, hinder readability and reusability, making it difficult to adapt equations for different simulation results and analysis types without extensive modification.

Innovation Solution

A system that separates the analysis context from the equation, allowing users to specify and modify analysis parameters through a graphical user interface, enabling evaluation with different data sources and types of analysis without altering the equation itself, thereby improving readability and portability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If analysis context information is embedded within data-access functions in equations, then the equation contains all necessary information for evaluation, but the equation length and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of equation informationVSAvoidequation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the equation system into two separate components: the equation itself and the analysis context. The analysis context contains all the embedded information about data sources, analysis types, and evaluation parameters, while the equation remains clean and focused on the mathematical relationships. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining completeness through separation rather than embedding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the analysis context information from within the data-access functions and places it in a separate context structure. This extraction removes the complexity-bearing elements (data source paths, analysis types, directory information) from the equation, allowing the equation to remain simple while still having access to all necessary evaluation information through the separate context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If analysis context information is embedded within data-access functions in equations, then the equation is self-contained, but readability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-containment of equationVSAvoidreadability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the equation system into the equation expression and the analysis context, the patent improves readability. The equation becomes a clean mathematical expression without cluttered function arguments, while the context provides the necessary information in a structured, separate location that does not interfere with visual readability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the same equation is used with different simulation results and analysis types, then reusability is improved, but the number of arguments that must be modified increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequation reusabilityVSAvoidnumber of arguments to modify

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts all the variable arguments (data source paths, analysis types, directory information) from the equation and places them in the separate analysis context. This allows the equation itself to remain unchanged when reusing it with different simulation results - only the context needs to be modified, not the equation arguments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal equation structure that can work with different analysis types and data sources through the separate context mechanism. The same equation can be applied to transient analysis, AC analysis, DC analysis, and other types by simply changing the context parameters, making the equation truly multi-functional without requiring argument modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If data-access functions include arguments specifying analysis type and data source directory, then the equation can be evaluated with specific simulation results, but the function length increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecificity of data accessVSAvoidfunction length

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the lengthy argument specifications (data source directories, analysis types, file paths) from the data-access functions and places them in the separate analysis context. This extraction dramatically reduces function length while maintaining the specificity needed for accurate data access, as the context provides this information in a structured manner without cluttering the function definitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS8887136B2Context-based evaluation of equations

Publication Date: 2014.11.11 SYNOPSYS INC

AI summary

Some embodiments provide a system that facilitates the evaluation of an equation. During operation, the system obtains one or more data-access functions to be used in the equation. Next, the system obtains an analysis context for the equation separately from the data-access functions. The analysis context may include one or more analysis parameters that specify one or more data sources and/or types of analysis to be used in evaluating the equation. Finally, the system evaluates the equation using the data-access functions and the data sources.