Automated Power Intent Extraction from IC Schematics

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current methods for creating power intent specifications for integrated circuit (IC) designs are cumbersome and error-prone, especially for large and complex designs, as they rely on text editors or form-based applications that lack direct coupling with design editors, leading to increased chances of errors and additional costs due to the need for equivalence checking.

Innovation Solution

An automated method for extracting power intent from IC designs involves traversing the circuit design hierarchy, identifying power nets and ground nets, creating power domains, generating power rules, and storing this information in a hierarchical power information structure, which can be exported in industry-standard formats like CPF or UPF.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If text editors or form-based applications are used to create power intent specifications, then the specifications can be created manually, but the process becomes tedious, time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of creating power intent specificationVSAvoidtime to create power intent specification

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically generating power intent specifications through direct coupling with the circuit design editor. The extraction module autonomously traverses the design hierarchy, identifies power domains and special cells, and generates the specification without requiring manual intervention, thereby eliminating the tedious and time-consuming nature of manual creation processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual editing process with an automated electronic extraction system. The direct coupling between the circuit design editor and power intent editor enables automatic data transfer and processing, substituting the manual mechanical operations of text editing with automated electronic processes that significantly reduce time and effort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If text editors are used to create power intent specifications, then flexibility in editing is maintained, but errors increase due to lack of direct coupling with design editors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in editing power intent specificationVSAvoidaccuracy of power intent specification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback through direct coupling between the circuit design editor and power intent editor. The extraction module continuously monitors design changes and automatically updates the power intent specification accordingly, providing real-time feedback that ensures the specification remains synchronized with the design, thereby eliminating errors caused by manual synchronization while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary extraction module that acts as a mediator between the circuit design editor and power intent editor. This intermediary automatically processes design information and generates corresponding power intent specifications, eliminating the need for manual text editing while ensuring accuracy through automated data extraction and direct coupling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If manual power intent specification creation is performed, then design engineer control is maintained, but equivalence checking costs and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of power intent extractionVSAvoidcomplexity of power intent specification process

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power intent extraction process with the existing circuit design editor by implementing direct coupling between the two tools. This integration combines the design editing functionality with automatic power intent generation, eliminating the need for separate manual specification creation and equivalence checking processes, thereby reducing overall process complexity while maintaining high automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8407635B2System and method for automatic extraction of power intent from custom analog/custom digital/mixed signal schematic designs

Publication Date: 2013.03.26 CADENCE DESIGN SYST INC

AI summary

A method of producing a hierarchical power information structure for a circuit design, the method comprising traversing a circuit design hierarchy from a top design level to a bottom design level to identify any intermediate design levels, associating identified power nets with ground nets to produce one or more power domains, producing one or more power domains using the identified power nets and ground nets, identifying an instance of one or more special cells that are associated with a power related property and creating constructs for the special cells in the hierarchical power information structure, generating power rules for the intermediate level design using the special cell constructs, mapping higher design level power domains to lower design level power domains within the intermediate design level, and storing the power domains and power rules as power intent within an information structure associated with a schematic for the intermediate level design.