Structural Analysis Tool Violation Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional structural analysis tools for circuit design generate large, cumbersome reports that mask real issues due to noncritical violations, requiring new tool setups and manual filtering, which complicates the identification of critical design problems during the physical implementation stage.
Innovation Solution
A structural analysis tool and method that applies structural rules within a design environment with valid timing data, using tool command language scripts to filter and prioritize meaningful violations, reducing the need for new tool setups and enhancing report analysis efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional structural analysis tools are used to analyze netlist, then structural rules can be checked, but large and cumbersome reports are generated that mask real issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the structural analysis report into hierarchical groups (e.g., by module, by rule type, by severity) and implements selective reporting that focuses on critical violations while organizing non-critical ones. This segmentation allows designers to see only the most important issues first, preventing information overload while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and separates critical violations from non-critical ones in the report output. By taking out only the most significant issues that require immediate attention and presenting them prominently, the tool eliminates the masking effect where critical issues are lost among numerous non-critical violations.
2Reliability
If new tool setup is created for structural analysis, then analysis can be performed, but tool complexity and setup requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the structural analysis functionality into the existing synthesis or static timing analysis tool by implementing it as an integrated rule template. This combining eliminates the need for separate tool setups, file format conversions, and additional software configurations, while maintaining comprehensive structural analysis capabilities through the unified tool interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal rule template that can be applied across different design stages and tool environments. The template is designed to work within existing synthesis or STA tools, providing multi-functional capability that performs both timing analysis and structural rule checking without requiring specialized or separate tool installations.
3Reliability
If comprehensive structural rules are applied, then all design issues can be identified, but report size and analysis difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the presentation and prioritization of violations based on their severity and criticality. Critical violations receive prominent placement and detailed analysis, while non-critical ones are grouped or summarized. This localized quality enhancement allows comprehensive rule application while maintaining ease of analysis through selective emphasis on important issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary filtering and prioritization of violations before generating the final report. By pre-processing the analysis results to identify and categorize critical issues upfront, the tool prepares an organized structure that reduces the cognitive load on designers during report analysis, even when comprehensive rules are applied.
4Measurement precision
If manual filtering of violations is performed, then critical issues can be identified, but time and effort are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by automatically filtering, prioritizing, and organizing violations based on pre-defined criteria and design constraints. The tool autonomously performs the filtering task that would otherwise require manual effort, using intelligent algorithms to identify critical issues and present them in a prioritized manner, thereby eliminating time-consuming manual review while maintaining accurate issue identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that learn from design constraints and waiver patterns to automatically adjust filtering criteria. By using feedback from design team decisions and constraint specifications, the system refines its automatic filtering capability over time, improving accuracy of critical issue identification while reducing manual intervention requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of designing a circuit, an apparatus and a structural analysis tool are disclosed. In one embodiment, the structural analysis tool includes: (1) a structural analyzer configured to apply a structural rule to the circuit design in a design environment of said design process having valid timing data and (2) a structural assessor configured to generate structural data of the circuit design based on application of the structural rule by the structural analyzer.