Automated Logic Design Porting via Interface Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of porting logic designs to new or different devices/platforms is time-consuming and expensive, requiring manual association of external interfaces with physical interfaces, which increases complexity and prevents the inclusion of configurable components within the design.
Innovation Solution
An automated software tool infers and generates external connection schemes based on the target environment, automatically matching and connecting unconnected external interfaces of the logic design with those of the target device, allowing for the creation of platform-specific logic designs without explicit connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual association of external interfaces with physical interfaces is performed, then the logic design can be ported to new platforms, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining interface types and connection rules in the logic design before porting. The design specifies interface types (e.g., Media Independent Interface) and connection constraints, which are then automatically matched to target device interfaces during porting, eliminating the need for manual association and significantly reducing porting time while maintaining adaptability across platforms
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual association of external interfaces with physical interfaces is performed, then the logic design can be ported to new platforms, but the complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the logic design to automatically match its own interface requirements with the target device's available interfaces. The design includes self-descriptive interface type information and connection constraints that guide the automatic matching process, allowing the system to port itself without manual intervention and thereby reducing process complexity while maintaining platform adaptability
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual association of external interfaces with physical interfaces is performed, then the logic design can be ported to new platforms, but configurable components cannot be included
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a platform-independent interface specification that can accommodate multiple interface types (MII, GMII, RGMII, SGMII) through a common framework. Configurable components are designed with parameterizable interface types that can be instantiated for different target platforms, allowing the same logic design with configurable components to be ported across multiple platforms without modification, thereby maintaining both adaptability and ease of manufacture
Data Source
AI summary
A method, computer-readable medium and apparatus for creating a platform-specific logic design from an input design are disclosed. For example, a method includes receiving an input design and an identification of a target device. The method next determines an unconnected external interface of the input design and detects an unconnected external interface of the target device. The method then generates an updated design from the input design. The updated design includes the input design and further includes a connection between the unconnected external interface of the input design and the unconnected external interface of the target device.