Mirrored Block Hierarchy for IC Annotation Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing annotations in hierarchical circuit designs is challenging due to the dynamic interpretation of design hierarchies and the need to relate annotations to specific design occurrences without modifying the design objects, which complicates storage and management.
Innovation Solution
A method is provided to create a mirrored block hierarchy that mirrors a folded module hierarchy, allowing annotations to be persistently associated with specific components of the circuit design, enabling efficient storage and display of annotations across different instances of the design hierarchy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If annotations are stored in a separate file from the schematic design, then the design objects remain read-only and intact, but managing the relationship between annotations and design occurrences becomes increasingly complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a separate annotation storage structure that acts as an intermediary between the read-only schematic design and the annotation data. This mediator contains occurrence identifiers that link annotations to specific design elements without modifying the original design objects, thus maintaining design integrity while enabling efficient annotation management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the annotation management system into distinct components: the original schematic design (read-only), the annotation data structure (separate storage), and the occurrence identifier system (linking mechanism). This segmentation allows each component to function independently, reducing the complexity of managing relationships while preserving design object integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If design hierarchy is elaborated dynamically at runtime, then the design system remains flexible and adaptable, but determining the fully qualified path to a given occurrence becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assigning unique occurrence identifiers to each design element during the annotation creation process, before the design hierarchy is fully elaborated. These identifiers serve as permanent references that remain valid regardless of when or how the hierarchy is interpreted, eliminating the need to dynamically trace paths through the hierarchy at runtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the occurrence identification mechanism that exists independently from the dynamic design hierarchy. The annotation storage structure contains copied reference information (occurrence identifiers) that mirror the relationship between annotations and design elements without depending on the runtime state of the original hierarchy, making location and retrieval straightforward.
3Adaptability or versatility
If annotations are applied to occurrences defined by interpreted paths in a hierarchy, then annotations can be dynamically associated with design elements, but the actual occurrence comprises a hierarchical collection that complicates storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential identification information (occurrence identifiers) from the complex hierarchical path structure and stores only these simplified identifiers in the annotation data. This extraction eliminates the need to store and manage the full hierarchical path information, significantly reducing storage complexity while maintaining the ability to dynamically associate annotations with design elements through the identifier system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided to produce a persistent representation of a annotation to a circuit design comprising: providing a block hierarchy that corresponds to the circuit design; displaying in a computer user interface display a first elaborated view of the circuit design that corresponds to the first instance of a block hierarchy; receiving user input to associate the annotation with a component of the elaborated view of the design; providing in a mirrored block hierarchy; and associating the annotation with the mirrored block hierarchy in computer readable storage media.