Timing Convergence Estimation via Assertion Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging to determine the timing convergence of electronic circuits during the early stages of project development, as feedback assertions tend to be unstable, making it difficult to schedule tasks efficiently and stabilize higher-level representations before modifying other project parameters like power, size, and space.
Innovation Solution
A computer system and method that execute a macro to obtain current feedback assertion values, calculate metrics by comparing these values with predefined golden assertions, estimate the time to convergence, and generate a schedule based on the calculated metrics, allowing for the automated selection and update of golden assertions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If feedback assertions are monitored during early project development, then timing stability can be assessed, but the assertions tend to be unstable and fluctuate, making convergence determination difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that compares current feedback assertion values against a historical window of previous values to determine convergence. This intermediary comparison process filters out the instability of individual assertion fluctuations and provides a reliable convergence determination based on whether values remain within an acceptable threshold range over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a window of historical feedback assertion values before making convergence determination. This preliminary data collection and comparison framework enables accurate timing convergence assessment even when individual assertion values are unstable during early project development stages.
2Reliability
If timing convergence is monitored continuously, then convergence can be detected, but it is difficult to determine how close to convergence a project is and schedule tasks efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors feedback assertion values and compares them against the historical window. This feedback loop provides ongoing information about convergence status, enabling the system to determine how close a project is to convergence and to schedule dependent tasks efficiently without losing time to manual assessment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If higher level representations are stabilized before modifying other parameters, then design quality is improved, but the unstable feedback assertions at higher levels cause greater instability at lower levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the convergence determination process into distinct levels of the design hierarchy. By independently analyzing feedback assertion stability at each hierarchical level using the window comparison method, the system can identify which levels require stabilization before proceeding to lower levels, thereby managing the propagation of instability more effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system for estimating timing convergence using assertion comparisons. The computer system receives predefined golden assertions associated with a macro to be tested. The computer system executes the macro to obtain current feedback assertion values. The computer system calculates one or more metrics based on a comparison between the current feedback assertion values and values of one or more different sets of assertions. The computer system estimates a time to convergence based on the one or more calculated metrics. The computer system generates a schedule based on the estimated time to convergence.