Tree-Based Routing for Electronic Design Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional routing methods in electronic design automation lack fine-granularity control over specific portions of the design, leading to either time-consuming manual processes requiring expertise or automated approaches that sacrifice design control for productivity.
Innovation Solution
A tree-based routing methodology that allows for incremental area-based routing with user-defined constraints, capturing design intent and adhering to topology throughout the layout process, using a congestion-driven, fish-bone-style router for custom-digital/memory-style designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated routing is used, then productivity is improved, but control over specific routing actions for specific portions of the design is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electronic design into multiple selectable portions or regions, allowing the automated router to process different areas independently. Users can select specific portions of the design to be routed with fine-granularity control, while other portions are handled by the automated router, thus achieving both productivity and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hybrid routing mode that dynamically switches between manual and automated routing based on the selected portion of the design. The system adapts its behavior by allowing users to specify which areas require manual control and which can be automatically routed, optimizing both productivity and control for different design regions.
2Ease of operation
If manual routing is used, then control over specific routing actions is improved, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the routing process by allowing users to select specific portions of the design for manual routing while leaving other portions to be handled by automated tools. This reduces the overall time required compared to completely manual routing while maintaining control where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring complete manual routing for the entire design, the patent applies manual control only to specific portions where it is necessary, while using automated routing for the remaining areas. This partial application of manual control significantly reduces time consumption while maintaining control over critical routing actions.
3Loss of time
If automated routing is used, then time for design to manufacturing is reduced, but fine-granularity control over routing is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the design into multiple portions, allowing the automated router to quickly process areas where standard routing is sufficient, while enabling users to apply fine-granularity control to specific portions where precision is critical. This segmented approach minimizes overall time loss while ensuring precision where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different routing qualities to different portions of the design. Critical areas receive fine-granularity manual control for high precision, while non-critical areas use automated routing for speed. This local differentiation of routing quality optimizes both time and precision for their respective purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is an improved approach to implement routing for electrical designs. A structural routing solution is provided, where an automatic routing mechanism is implemented to generate a complete routing tree, and specific portions of the design are routed individually from other portions of the design.