Integrated Circuit Schematic Display via Global Connection Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of integrated circuit designs, particularly in schematic diagrams, makes it time-consuming and error-prone for users to trace signal connectivity due to overcrowding with numerous interconnect lines, hindering efficient analysis.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating a simplified schematic diagram by identifying and channeling selected interconnect lines through global connection lines, allowing for the display of routing paths based on bend comparisons and user input, thereby reducing visual clutter and enhancing analysis efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If all interconnect lines are displayed individually in the schematic diagram, then complete circuit connectivity information is preserved, but the schematic diagram becomes cluttered and difficult to analyze
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual interconnect lines that share common routing paths are merged into a single displayed line. The system identifies interconnect lines with overlapping routing segments and combines them, showing only one representative line while preserving information about all merged lines through indicators or tooltips, thus reducing visual clutter while maintaining complete connectivity information.
Solution Approach 2:
A hierarchical abstraction layer is introduced between the detailed interconnect lines and the visual display. The system uses routing segments as intermediaries to group multiple interconnect lines, displaying the grouped lines as consolidated entities while maintaining the ability to expand and view individual line details when needed.
2Measurement precision
If individual wire nets are shown for all connections, then accurate signal path representation is achieved, but tracing signal connectivity becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The schematic diagram is segmented into hierarchical levels: individual interconnect lines, groups of collinear lines, and routing segments. Users can navigate between these levels, viewing grouped segments for quick overview and expanding to individual lines for detailed analysis, thus reducing time for both overview and precise tracing.
Solution Approach 2:
The display of interconnect lines is made dynamic and adjustable. The system allows users to toggle between different display modes (individual lines, grouped lines, or routing segments) and provides interactive features to expand/collapse groups, enabling efficient navigation and analysis at different levels of detail as needed.
3Device complexity
If routing paths with fewer bends are displayed, then cleaner schematic appearance is achieved, but some routing path information may be simplified
Solution Approach 1:
Different routing paths are displayed with different levels of detail based on their characteristics. Paths with fewer bends or simpler geometry are shown in a simplified manner, while paths requiring more detail can be expanded. The system applies different display qualities locally to different routing segments based on their complexity and importance.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of displaying a schematic diagram of an integrated circuit design is disclosed. The integrated circuit design includes a plurality of logic blocks and the schematic diagram may include a plurality of connections between respective pairs or groups of the logic blocks. The method includes identifying a plurality of interconnect lines that is adapted to schematically illustrate the plurality of connections. Selected interconnect lines out of the plurality of interconnect lines is identified. Portions of the selected interconnect lines may be channeled through a global connection line on the schematic diagram. The global connection line may be a graphical line that spans from one edge of the schematic diagram to another.