PCB Netlist Synthesis via Constraint-Based Pin Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for generating net lists for printed circuit boards lack efficiency in automatically connecting electronic components based on their electrical and logical definitions, distance properties, and programmable constraints, particularly for complex components like FPGAs with numerous pins.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that selects components from a library, uses a connection module to connect them based on electrical, logical, and programmable constraints, and generates a net list, utilizing an edge weight matrix to determine optimal connections while considering pin groups and bank utilization values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic connection methods are used for components with numerous pins (e.g., FPGAs), then connection efficiency is improved, but connection accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to complexity of constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection process into distinct phases: initial constraint-based filtering of pin pairs, followed by iterative optimization using simulated annealing. This segmentation allows the system to first reduce the search space using hard constraints (improving efficiency) and then refine connections through probabilistic optimization (improving reliability), thus resolving the contradiction between speed and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simulated annealing which dynamically changes the acceptance probability parameter based on temperature scheduling. As the algorithm progresses, the probability of accepting suboptimal connections decreases, allowing the system to escape local minima early in the process and converge to optimal solutions later, thereby maintaining both efficiency and reliability.
2Reliability
If manual net list generation is performed, then connection accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated constraint satisfaction and optimization algorithms that autonomously generate net lists without human intervention. The system automatically parses component definitions, applies electrical and logical constraints, and optimizes connections using simulated annealing, thereby achieving manual-level accuracy without manual-level time investment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual net list creation with an automated computational system. Instead of human engineers manually connecting pins based on constraint checking, the system uses algorithmic constraint satisfaction and simulated annealing optimization to automatically generate optimized connections, eliminating time-consuming manual operations while maintaining or improving accuracy.
3Reliability
If comprehensive constraint checking is performed for all pins, then connection reliability is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary constraint checking and filtering before the main optimization process. By pre-processing component definitions and applying hard constraints (electrical compatibility, logical definitions, distance properties) to eliminate incompatible pin pairs early, the system reduces the search space for subsequent simulated annealing optimization, thereby maintaining reliability through comprehensive checking while reducing computational complexity through early pruning.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method and system for automatically generating a net list for a printed circuit board are described. Selection of one or more pins on a first and second component to be connected is based on one or more of a logical definition, an electrical definition, a distance property, and a programmable constraint. Once pins of the first and second connections are selected and connected, a net list is automatically generated. The net list includes information associated with the first component, information associated with the second component and at least one pin of the second component.