Incremental Chaining for Circuit Layout Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional batch-mode chaining in electronic design automation (EDA) tools is inefficient and lacks user interaction, often resulting in unintended changes to the circuit layout and 'spaghetti mess' of chained figures, as it does not allow for selective retention of anchor figures' positions and provides limited guidance during the chaining process.
Innovation Solution
The method of incremental chaining, which allows users to select anchor figures and visually highlight connected candidates for abutment within a graphical user interface, enabling sequential abutment while preserving anchor positions, allowing for user-driven, interactive building of chains with immediate feedback and intuitive control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If batch-mode chaining is used to chain all layout figures, then the chaining operation is automated, but the user cannot preserve anchor figure positions and the result becomes a spaghetti mess
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the chaining operation into multiple interactive steps: (1) user selects anchor figures to remain fixed, (2) system identifies candidate figures for chaining, (3) user reviews and approves the chaining plan, (4) system executes chaining only for non-anchor figures. This segmentation allows automation of the chaining algorithm while preserving user control over anchor positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically identifying and highlighting candidate figures for chaining based on the selected anchor figures and connectivity information, before the user commits to the chaining operation. This allows the user to review and adjust the proposed chaining plan before execution, preventing unintended changes to anchor positions.
2Productivity
If batch-mode chaining is used to chain all layout figures, then the chaining process is completed quickly, but the user receives no visual guidance during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous visual feedback during the chaining process by highlighting candidate figures in the graphical user interface based on their connectivity to anchor figures. The user can see which figures will be chained and in what order before the operation is executed, eliminating the information loss that occurs in fully automated batch-mode chaining.
Solution Approach 2:
The chaining process is made dynamic and adaptive to user input. As the user selects different anchor figures, the system dynamically updates the highlighting of candidate figures and recalculates the chaining plan. This dynamic interaction maintains productivity by allowing quick adjustments without requiring complete re-execution of the chaining algorithm.
3Ease of operation
If incremental interactive chaining is implemented, then user control and visual guidance are improved, but the chaining process requires more user interaction steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically identifying candidate figures for chaining based on connectivity information and anchor figure selections. The chaining algorithm autonomously determines the optimal chaining sequence and generates the chaining plan, requiring minimal user intervention beyond selecting anchor figures and approving the final plan.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculations and preparations by pre-identifying candidate figures and generating the chaining plan before user approval. This preliminary action reduces the user's interaction time during the actual chaining execution, as the system has already done the computationally intensive work of analyzing connectivity and determining the optimal chaining sequence.
Data Source
AI summary
In the context of electronic design automation and particularly circuit layout design software tools, systems and methods for incremental chaining of circuit devices (or, more generally, “figures,” which can include instances and pins) permit user-interactive abutment and placement. Selection of one or more anchor figures highlights chaining candidates which can be automatically chained to the anchor figure(s) upon selection, as with a single mouse click. As compared to manual interactive abutment or automatic batch-mode chaining, incremental chaining offers improved usability, reduced manual effort, and the opportunity for user interaction as a chain is constructed, because the user is permitted interventions at any point in the chaining process for altering device parameters or characteristics.