Integrating Graphical Programs with Pre-defined Hardware Configuration in Circuit Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current circuit design systems do not support the integration of pre-defined functionality with user-defined graphical program functionality, limiting the ability to incorporate fixed functionalities in programmable hardware elements.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows users to select and combine graphical programs with pre-defined hardware configuration programs (HCPs) to generate a netlist, enabling the configuration of programmable hardware elements to implement both user-defined and pre-defined functionalities, with options for customization and additional functionality addition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users only use user-defined graphical programs for circuit design, then customization flexibility is improved, but design efficiency and productivity deteriorate due to lack of pre-defined functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit design system is segmented into two independent but integrable parts: user-defined graphical program functionality and pre-defined HCP functionality. This allows users to selectively combine customized components with ready-made functional blocks, achieving both flexibility and efficiency simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a universal platform that supports multiple types of functionality (both user-defined graphical programs and pre-defined HCPs) within a single circuit design environment, enabling the same system to serve both customization needs and productivity requirements.
2Productivity
If users only use pre-defined HCPs for circuit design, then design efficiency is improved, but adaptability and versatility deteriorate due to lack of user-defined functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates pre-defined functional blocks from user-defined graphical programs, allowing each to operate independently while being integrated through the netlist generation process. This segmentation enables efficient use of pre-defined components while preserving full customization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges pre-defined HCP functionality with user-defined graphical program functionality into a unified circuit design through netlist generation, combining the advantages of both approaches: the efficiency of pre-defined components and the flexibility of user customization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system integrates both pre-defined HCPs and user-defined graphical programs, then functionality completeness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The netlist serves as an intermediary that translates and integrates both pre-defined HCPs and user-defined graphical programs into a unified circuit representation. This mediator handles the complexity of integration internally while presenting a simplified interface to users through the graphical user interface.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for designing a circuit. At least one graphical program comprising a plurality of interconnected nodes that visually indicate functionality of the graphical program is selected in response to user input. At least one pre-defined hardware configuration program (HCP) is selected from a plurality of pre-defined HCPs in response to user input, where the selected at least one pre-defined HCP specifies a fixed functionality, including interface functionality for communicating with the at least one graphical program when implemented on the circuit. At least a portion of a netlist is generated based on the at least one graphical program and the at least one selected pre-defined HCP, where the netlist is usable to configure a circuit, wherein a first portion of the circuit implements the functionality of the graphical program and a second portion of the circuit implements the fixed functionality.