Grammar Object System for EDA Technology Rule Editing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic design automation (EDA) systems lack an effective method for creating and editing process technology files, relying on manual text editing and requiring users to maintain consistency with existing technology rules, which leads to significant development time and errors due to complex and rapidly changing process technology rules.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that defines a grammar object system with objects, elements, and relationships to generate a technology grammar binary representation, allowing for parsing and providing a graphical user interface for editing technology rules, enabling automatic generation of C++ code and reducing the need for manual syntax management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual text editing is used to create and edit process technology files, then users can directly modify technology rules, but it requires significant development time and is prone to errors due to complex and rapidly changing process technology rules

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of editing technology rulesVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer (technology file format with structured sections, parameters, and units) between the user and the complex process technology rules. This intermediary structure provides a standardized framework that simplifies editing while maintaining consistency, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The technology file is segmented into distinct sections (e.g., process sections, parameter definitions, unit specifications) that can be independently edited and managed. This segmentation allows users to work with specific portions of technology rules without being overwhelmed by the entire rule set, reducing both complexity and editing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual text editing is used to create and edit process technology files, then users can directly modify technology rules, but it requires maintaining consistency with existing technology rules which leads to significant development time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to incorporate new rulesVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal technology file format that can accommodate various types of process technology rules through a consistent structure of sections, parameters, and units. This universal framework allows new rules to be incorporated by following the same pattern, providing adaptability without requiring proportional increases in development time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes preliminary templates and structures for technology files before specific rules need to be added. By pre-defining the framework including sections, parameter types, and unit specifications, the system prepares the groundwork for rapid incorporation of new rules without requiring time-consuming consistency checks each time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If manual text editing is used, then users can edit technology rules, but the information can only be verified by loading the file into an EDA application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of editing technology rulesVSAvoidverification of technology rules

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical verification process (loading files into EDA applications for validation) with a more efficient system based on structured formatting rules and syntax validation. The standardized technology file format includes inherent validation mechanisms that can check consistency and correctness without requiring full EDA application loading, thus improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10437567B2System and method for use in physical design processes

Publication Date: 2019.10.08 CADENCE DESIGN SYST INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for use in an electronic design environment. Embodiments may include defining, using at least one processor, a grammar object system including one or more of objects, elements, values and relationships. Embodiments may include generating a technology grammar binary representation, based upon, at least in part, the grammar object system and receiving a technology ASCII representation. Embodiments may further include parsing at least one of the technology grammar binary representation and the technology ASCII representation to generate a technology binary representation and providing the technology binary representation to at least one of a graphical user interface or a database.