Rule-Based Schematic Diagram Generator for Circuit Module Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing schematic diagram generators struggle to effectively place and orient symbols in circuit diagrams to represent low-level and high-level circuit devices in a manner that reflects their interconnection patterns, making it difficult for designers to comprehend complex circuit designs, especially in analog circuits where current flow and module organization are critical.
Innovation Solution
A computer-aided schematic diagram generator implements placement rules that specify constraints for symbol positioning and orientation based on characteristic patterns of interconnected devices, forming 'soft groups' to ensure symbols are arranged in recognizable patterns, resolving conflicts between constraints to generate a clear and organized schematic diagram.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If symbols are placed randomly in the schematic diagram, then the generation process is simple and fast, but the designer cannot comprehend the circuit design effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the circuit into modular units based on the netlist structure, where each module (e.g., inverter, NAND gate) is placed as a distinct block. This segmentation allows the schematic generator to maintain organization while automating placement, resolving the contradiction between generation speed and designer comprehension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of the netlist to identify module boundaries and relationships before generating the schematic. By pre-processing the circuit description to understand the intended modular structure, the system can automatically arrange symbols in comprehensible patterns without manual intervention, achieving both speed and clarity.
2Ease of operation
If the schematic diagram generator groups and orients transistors to form recognizable modules, then designer comprehension improves, but the complexity of the generation process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the netlist description to self-describe the intended module structure through conventional organization patterns. The schematic generator automatically detects these patterns and applies appropriate grouping and orientation rules, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration while maintaining designer-comprehensible output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the organizational parameters of symbol placement based on the detected module type. For example, inverters are oriented with specific input/output directions, while NAND gates use different spatial arrangements. These parameter changes are applied automatically based on netlist structure, achieving recognizable patterns without excessive complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the schematic diagram follows standard patterns for representing circuit modules, then designer recognition improves, but flexibility in representing non-standard designs decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic placement rules that adapt to the specific module type and connectivity pattern detected in the netlist. Rather than applying a single rigid pattern, the system dynamically selects and applies appropriate orientation and grouping rules based on the circuit configuration, maintaining both standard recognition and design flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A schematic diagram generator processes a netlist to generate a schematic diagram based on a set of placement rules, corresponding to a separate characteristic pattern of interconnected devices and specifying a constraint on relative placement within the schematic diagram of symbols representing devices forming the pattern. The generator identifies each set of devices in the netlist that exhibits any rule's interconnection pattern as a separate “soft group”, places a constraint consistent with the rule on relative positioning within the schematic diagram of symbols representing the soft group, resolves any constraint conflicts in accordance with a constraint resolution scheme, and then places all device symbols in the schematic diagram in a manner consistent accordance with the constraints.