Electronic Design Database for Mixed-Signal IP Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic design automation, the integration of mixed-signal verification poses challenges due to the need for trade-offs between speed and accuracy, particularly in managing digital and analog blocks, where existing methods require manual intervention and are not scalable for efficient reuse of IP blocks across different design levels.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for providing mixed signal configurations that allow seamless reuse of digital and analog blocks by storing and accessing configurations in an electronic design database, enabling users to apply user-generated labels and simulate configurations, and allowing digital-on-top and analog-on-top users to access and configure blocks efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual integration processes are used for mixed-signal verification, then configuration integrity can be maintained, but productivity and scalability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a database as an intermediary layer between digital and analog configuration files. This database stores configuration data in a standardized format that both digital and analog tools can access, eliminating the need for manual integration while preserving configuration integrity through centralized management and consistent data structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal configuration storage system that serves multiple functions: storing digital configurations, storing analog configurations, enabling cross-access between different tool types, and providing a common interface for both digital-on-top and analog-on-top workflows. This multi-functional database replaces multiple separate manual processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate configuration systems are used for digital and analog designs, then tool-specific optimization is achieved, but device complexity and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration management system into distinct accessible components within a unified database structure. Digital tools access digital configuration files while analog tools access analog configuration files, maintaining tool-specific optimization. The segmentation is logical rather than physical, allowing the underlying unified structure to reduce complexity while preserving specialized access paths.
3Reliability
If mixed-signal verification is performed with both digital and analog blocks, then verification completeness is improved, but the trade-off between speed and accuracy becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The database acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of mixed-signal verification by providing a standardized interface for both digital and analog configuration access. This allows verification processes to proceed with improved completeness while the intermediary handles the coordination and data management complexity, preventing it from escalating uncontrollably.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for electronic design configuration reuse. The process may include providing an electronic design having one or more mixed signal configurations. The process may further include storing at least one digital configuration and at least one analog configuration at an electronic design database. The process may further include allowing the one or more mixed signal configurations to access the at least one digital configuration or the at least one analog configuration from the electronic design database.