Automated Netlist Update via Spare Cell Pooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic design automation systems face challenges in efficiently updating placed and routed netlists, particularly when Engineering Change Orders require modifications late in the design process, as they often necessitate manual reworks that are labor-intensive, error-prone, and costly, and do not adequately address timing and yield constraints.
Innovation Solution
A method that automatically updates a placed and routed netlist by identifying and recycling components no longer needed, generating a pool of spare cells, and mapping new components to these cells while ensuring design constraints are met, allowing for flexible and automated implementation of design changes without discarding partially or completely manufactured circuit components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual rework is used to update placed and routed netlists, then design modifications can be implemented, but the process becomes labor-intensive, error-prone, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic netlist updates by identifying spare cells, mapping new components, and routing connections without human intervention. The automated workflow includes receiving ECOs, selecting appropriate spare cells based on component type and location, performing the mapping, and updating routing, thereby eliminating manual rework while maintaining design modification capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (physical netlist editing, component placement, and routing by hand) with automated computational systems. The automated system uses algorithms to identify spare cells, map components, and update routing, substituting human labor with machine-based automation that is both faster and more accurate
2Productivity
If spare cells are used for design changes, then modifications can be implemented without re-designing the entire netlist, but the number of available spare cells is limited and their locations may not be satisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers functionality from cells that are no longer needed in their original configurations. When components are removed or modified during ECO implementation, the system identifies the freed cells and reallocates them as new spare cells, thereby expanding the pool of available spare cells beyond the originally designated ones
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic spare cell pool where cells can serve multiple purposes: originally designated spare cells remain available, and cells freed from removed components are added to the same pool. This universal pool can be drawn from any location in the netlist, not just pre-assigned spare cell locations, increasing both quantity and placement flexibility
3Extent of automation
If the netlist is updated automatically, then manual work is reduced, but the system must accurately identify and manage spare cells while satisfying design constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback loops to verify that automated updates satisfy design constraints. After mapping new components to spare cells and updating routing, the system checks whether timing, yield, and other design constraints are met, and can perform additional optimization iterations if constraints are not satisfied
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary identification and validation of spare cells before committing to the update. The system first identifies candidate spare cells, validates their suitability based on component type matching and location constraints, and only then proceeds with mapping and routing updates, ensuring design constraint satisfaction from the outset
Data Source
AI summary
Method for updating a circuit design. A modification to a netlist that includes original components and original spare cells is received. Original components that are not required by the modification are identified, disconnected and marked or made new spare cells. A pool of spare cells is generated and includes original and new spare cells. The netlist is updated by adding new components, and added components are mapped to spare cells selected from the pool. If mapping does not satisfy a design constraint, such as a timing constraint, then original components can be de-mapped and made spare cells, added components are mapped to spare cells resulting from de-mapping, and de-mapped components can be re-mapped to other spare cells.