Integrated Circuit Data Flow Analyzer for Physical Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The physical design process of integrated circuits is time-consuming and complex due to the large size of IC design netlists and the difficulty of macro editing, requiring multiple iterations between physical and RTL designers, which affects the efficiency of optimizing data flow and operating parameters such as speed and cost.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface-based integrated circuit design and layout system that creates and analyzes logical slices, edits macros, and traces data paths to generate a physical design, utilizing a data flow analyzer to abstract physical design information into intuitive data flow blocks, facilitating quick development of an optimal IC floorplan with reduced iterations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual tracing and drawing of net connectivity and data flow pathways is performed, then data flow analysis accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracing and drawing operations with an automated computer-based system. The system automatically extracts net connectivity and data flow pathways from the netlist, generates visual representations, and performs analysis without requiring manual intervention, thereby eliminating the time-consuming manual process while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing the netlist, extracting connectivity information, and generating data flow pathway visualizations without requiring manual input. The automated system processes the entire analysis task independently, eliminating the need for manual tracing operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple collaborative iterations between physical and RTL designers are performed, then data flow optimization quality is improved, but development cycle length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automated feedback by analyzing the netlist and generating visual representations of data flow pathways, allowing designers to immediately see the current state of the design. This automated feedback mechanism eliminates the need for multiple iterative discussions and manual revisions, enabling faster validation of design decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis by automatically extracting and visualizing data flow pathways before detailed design work begins. This preliminary action allows designers to identify and resolve issues early in the process, eliminating the need for multiple iterative corrections later in the development cycle.
3Adaptability or versatility
If macro editing tasks are performed manually, then design flexibility is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual macro editing operations with automated computer-based tools. The system automatically processes netlist data, generates visual representations, and performs analysis tasks that would otherwise require complex manual editing operations, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining design flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for generating physical design of an integrated circuit, based on schematic design. The system includes graphical user interface and integrated circuit design and layout system. The integrated circuit design and layout system creates and analyzes logical slices of the integrated circuit based on the schematic design; creates and edits macros based on the logical slices; and traces and analyzes data paths through the physical design based on the schematic design. The method includes providing the schematic design of the integrated circuit, and generating logical slices of the integrated circuit from the schematic design. The method also includes generating, grouping and manipulating macros, responsive to identification of multiple occurrences of logical slices. The method further includes performing data flow analysis to identify data paths for the physical design, quantifying weight indices for the data paths, and positioning objects in the physical design based on the weight indices.