RTL Netlist Abstraction via Signal Grouping for SoC Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex System-on-Chip (SoC) designs are difficult to understand and modify due to poor documentation and low register transfer level (RTL) descriptions, leading to overwhelming complexity, especially when original designers are no longer available to explain the design.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for automatically analyzing RTL-level circuit descriptions to produce higher-level descriptions by grouping signal names based on predefined rules, facilitating a more abstracted and understandable representation of SoC designs through rule-based interface matching and user-guided mapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If detailed RTL-level circuit descriptions are used to maintain design accuracy, then design precision is improved, but design complexity increases making the design difficult to understand and modify
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detailed RTL-level circuit description into hierarchical groups based on signal naming patterns and connectivity relationships. By automatically grouping related signals and components, the system creates an abstracted view that maintains design accuracy while reducing perceived complexity. This allows designers to work at appropriate levels of abstraction without losing access to detailed information when needed.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive documentation is created to improve design understanding, then information completeness is improved, but time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing the RTL netlist and generating hierarchical groupings without requiring manual documentation. The tool extracts meaningful structure from the circuit description itself through pattern recognition and connectivity analysis, eliminating the need for separate documentation efforts while preserving complete design information in an organized format.
3Measurement precision
If manual analysis of RTL netlists is performed to create higher-level descriptions, then design abstraction quality is improved, but productivity decreases due to manual effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of analyzing RTL netlists with an automated computational system. The tool uses algorithmic pattern recognition, signal naming analysis, and connectivity tracking to generate hierarchical groupings automatically. This substitution maintains high abstraction quality through systematic analysis while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating repetitive manual effort.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and methods are disclosed for inferring higher level descriptions of circuit connectivity from register transfer level (RTL) netlists in order to provide more understandable and manageable design descriptions for complex System-on-Chip (SOC) designs. In particular, rule-based interface matching is automatically performed by analyzing actual port names on instances of functional elements and blocks to form signal groupings that comprise a higher-level abstracted description. An example syntax is provided for defining rules that are used to define how various analysis are performed. Data describing standard interfaces on common Intellectual Property (IP) blocks is optionally made available to facilitate interface matching. Also, a facility is included to allow user-guided mapping on instantiated interfaces with respect to actual port names in an RTL-level design.