Consolidating Timing Constraints for Multi-Mode IC Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Designing integrated circuits (ICs) that operate in multiple timing modes is computationally intensive and resource-heavy due to the need for separate timing constraint files and iterative design flows, leading to increased memory usage and longer run-times.

Innovation Solution

A programmatic approach that consolidates timing constraint files into a single 'super mode' set, using a constraints merger block to identify common constraints, qualified signals, and false paths, allowing for a single pass of the physical design tool to accommodate all timing modes, reducing iterations and resource requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate timing constraint files are used for each timing mode, then all timing modes can be accommodated, but the design process becomes computationally intensive and resource-heavy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming mode coverageVSAvoiddesign process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple timing constraint files corresponding to different timing modes into a single consolidated timing constraint file. This consolidation combines all timing requirements from video mode, audio mode, and other modes into one unified file, allowing the physical design tool to process all timing modes simultaneously rather than requiring separate iterative processes for each mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The consolidated timing constraint file serves as a universal constraint file that accommodates multiple timing modes (video mode, audio mode, etc.) within a single file. This universal file structure enables the design flow to handle diverse timing requirements without needing mode-specific constraint files, reducing the number of iterations and resource requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate timing constraint files are used for each timing mode, then all timing modes can be accommodated, but memory usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming mode coverageVSAvoidmemory usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple timing constraint files corresponding to different timing modes into a single consolidated timing constraint file. This consolidation combines all timing requirements from video mode, audio mode, and other modes into one unified file, allowing the physical design tool to process all timing modes simultaneously rather than requiring separate iterative processes for each mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate timing constraint files are used for each timing mode, then all timing modes can be accommodated, but run-time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming mode coverageVSAvoiddesign run-time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple timing constraint files corresponding to different timing modes into a single consolidated timing constraint file. This consolidation combines all timing requirements from video mode, audio mode, and other modes into one unified file, allowing the physical design tool to process all timing modes simultaneously rather than requiring separate iterative processes for each mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary consolidation of timing constraint files before the physical design process. By pre-processing and merging all timing constraints from different modes into a single consolidated file, the system prepares the complete set of requirements in advance, eliminating the need for multiple iterative passes and reducing overall design run-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If iterative design flow is used for each timing mode, then timing requirements can be verified, but the number of iterations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming verification accuracyVSAvoiddesign efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple timing constraint files corresponding to different timing modes into a single consolidated timing constraint file. This consolidation combines all timing requirements from video mode, audio mode, and other modes into one unified file, allowing the physical design tool to process all timing modes simultaneously rather than requiring separate iterative processes for each mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The consolidated timing constraint file serves as a universal constraint file that accommodates multiple timing modes (video mode, audio mode, etc.) within a single file. This universal file structure enables the design flow to handle diverse timing requirements without needing mode-specific constraint files, reducing the number of iterations and resource requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8196076B2Optimal flow in designing a circuit operable in multiple timing modes
Publication Date: 2012.06.05 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC
  • US8196076B2 patent drawing
  • US8196076B2 patent drawing
  • US8196076B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A design approach provided according to an aspect of the present invention consolidates the constraint files of respective modes into consolidated information and performs place-and-route using such consolidated information. The resource requirements may be reduced as result. Another aspect of the present invention provides a programmatic approach to consolidating timing constraint files of different timing modes into consolidated information.