Parameterized Cell Cloning for Electronic Design Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic design automation tools require separate views and testbenches for each instance of a cell or library, leading to inefficient use of computational resources and increased manual effort, as they cannot switch among similar cell instances or libraries during multi-mode, multi-corner analyses.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating symbol and schematic parameterized cells from a master parameterized cell, allowing for efficient cloning and switching of cell instances within a single testbench by identifying shared parameters and generating corresponding graphical representations, thereby reusing testbenches and preserving the original hierarchical structure of the electronic design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate views and testbenches are created for each cell instance type, then characterization accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manual effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal testbench that can characterize multiple cell instance types through parameter substitution. Instead of creating separate testbenches for each cell type, a single testbench is designed to work with parameterized cell instances that share common structural characteristics. The testbench uses parameter files to define different cell configurations, allowing one testbench to universally test multiple cell variants by changing parameters rather than creating dedicated testbenches for each cell type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameterized cell instances where cell characteristics are defined by parameters rather than hard-coded structures. The testbench reads parameter values from files and dynamically configures the simulation based on these parameters. This allows the same testbench to characterize different cell types by loading different parameter sets, eliminating the need for multiple specialized testbenches while maintaining accurate characterization for each cell variant.
2Measurement precision
If multiple views are created for different cell instances, then analysis completeness is improved, but memory consumption and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cell instance definitions into a single parameterized cell template. Instead of maintaining separate view files for each cell instance type, the approach combines them into one parameterized definition where variations are controlled by parameters. This consolidation reduces the total number of view files needed while preserving the ability to analyze all cell variants through a single unified view structure that references parameterized instances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter substitution to generate specific cell instances from a master parameterized template rather than creating and storing separate copies of full cell definitions. The parameterized cell instance acts as a template that can be instantiated with different parameter values to represent various cell types. This approach reduces memory consumption by storing one parameterized definition instead of multiple complete cell definitions, while still enabling comprehensive analysis of all cell variants.
3Measurement precision
If separate testbenches are executed for each view, then characterization thoroughness is improved, but productivity and time efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal testbench that can characterize multiple cell instance types through parameter substitution. Instead of creating separate testbenches for each cell type, a single testbench is designed to work with parameterized cell instances that share common structural characteristics. The testbench uses parameter files to define different cell configurations, allowing one testbench to universally test multiple cell variants by changing parameters rather than creating dedicated testbenches for each cell type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous characterization execution by implementing a single testbench that can sequentially test multiple cell variants without interruption. The testbench is designed to iterate through different parameter configurations automatically, maintaining continuous useful action rather than requiring separate testbench execution cycles for each cell type. This continuity eliminates the overhead of repeatedly initializing and configuring separate testbenches, significantly improving productivity while maintaining thorough characterization.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for characterizing an electronic design with efficient cell cloning. A cell instance corresponding to multiple similar cell instances in a view of an electronic design may be identified, where the cell instance is instantiated from a master parameterized cell. An analysis engine may be configured at least by associating a parameter of the master parameterized cell with multiple different parameter values respectively corresponding to the multiple similar cell instances. An analysis result including respective metric values corresponding to the multiple similar cell instances may be generated at least by performing an analysis that sweeps across the multiple different parameter values.