Offsetting Planar Region Boundaries Defined by Arbitrary Parametric Curves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for offsetting and smoothing boundary curves in integrated circuit design and computer-aided design lack the capability to effectively handle arbitrary parametric functions, which are essential for complex geometries like silicon photonics and micro-electro-mechanical systems, leading to inaccuracies in curve representation and design precision.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for offsetting and smoothing planar region boundaries comprising arbitrary parametric boundary curves, which involves determining intersections, assigning nodes, and combining offset boundary curves based on minimum distance and curvature criteria, using error-controlled discretization and symbolic algebra to compute derivatives and represent curves precisely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If arbitrary parametric functions are used to represent complex geometries, then design versatility and accuracy are improved, but computational complexity and processing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to handle arbitrary parametric functionsVSAvoidcomputational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the boundary curves into multiple discrete points through error-controlled discretization. This divides the complex arbitrary parametric functions into manageable discrete segments that can be processed individually, reducing computational complexity while maintaining design versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces offset curves as intermediary elements between the original boundary curves and the final design geometry. These offset curves serve as a computational mediator that simplifies the processing of complex geometries by creating intermediate representations that are easier to manipulate and analyze.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If offset curves are generated for precise boundary representation, then manufacturing precision is improved, but curve intersections and computational overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of curve offsettingVSAvoidcomputational overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary discretization of the boundary curves into discrete points before generating offset curves. This preliminary action prepares the data in advance, allowing for more efficient offset calculation and reducing computational overhead during the actual offsetting process while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates discrete point copies along the boundary curves at controlled intervals. These copied points serve as the basis for generating offset curves, enabling precise boundary representation while reducing the computational complexity of working with continuous arbitrary parametric functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If minimum distance criteria are applied to combine offset curves, then design density is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign densityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses minimum distance as a critical parameter to control the combination of offset curves. By changing and optimizing this parameter, the system can adjust the level of design density achieved, allowing for high productivity while managing processing time through parameter optimization rather than exhaustive computation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10853551B1System and method for offsetting and smoothing of planar region boundaries defined by arbitrary parametric curves

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 CADENCE DESIGN SYST INC

AI summary

According to an aspect of this disclosure, a computer-implemented method of offsetting boundary curves includes providing a plurality of inputs for an identified boundary set, developing an offset distance, and creating an offset boundary curve for each boundary. The method of offsetting boundary curves further includes determining intersection points of each of the offset boundary curves, assigning a node to each of the intersection points, and determining sections between intersection points for each offset curve. Still further this method includes determining a minimum distance between sections, wherein when the sections are nearer one another than the minimum distance the sections are determined to belong to the same node and combining the offset boundary curves to define a set of offset boundary curves.