Visual Layout Selection Interface for Integrated Circuit Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated EDA tools often select layout configurations that are not optimized for specific designer needs or industry-specific requirements, leading to sub-optimal design solutions, as they rely on general criteria to accommodate a broad audience, and users may not be informed of alternative options.
Innovation Solution
A visual interface is provided to present and select from multiple layout configuration options, allowing designers to choose the most suitable solution based on specific criteria, including user preferences and historical patterns, during both design entry and verification phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If automated EDA tools are used to select layout configurations, then the system can accommodate a broad audience with general criteria, but the selected layout may not be optimized for specific designer needs or industry-specific requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts between fully automated and interactive selection modes. The layout selection process can operate in automated mode for general cases and switch to interactive mode when designer-specific optimization is needed, making the system flexible rather than rigidly automated
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual interface that mediates between automated tool generation and designer preference. This interface presents multiple layout options generated by automated tools and allows designers to select or modify them, serving as a bridge between automation and human judgment
2Loss of information
If automated approaches are used for layout generation and correction, then the process can be performed without manual intervention, but the user is not informed of alternate options that could have been legally used
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to the user by displaying multiple alternative layout configurations that satisfy design rules. Instead of silently selecting one option, the tool feedbacks the available options to the designer through a visual interface, informing them of alternatives without requiring manual exploration
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than presenting all possible layouts (excessive), the system presents a curated subset of relevant alternative options (partial). This provides sufficient information about alternate possibilities without overwhelming the user with every potential configuration
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple layout configuration options are presented to designers, then designers can select optimal solutions based on specific criteria, but this requires additional user interaction and time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating multiple valid layout configurations before presenting them to the designer. This preliminary computation of alternatives is done in the background, so when options are displayed, the designer can quickly evaluate them without waiting for real-time computation
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by presenting layout options that are optimized for specific local criteria or regions of the design. Each alternative may be optimized for different aspects (e.g., area, timing, routing), allowing designers to select based on local requirements without analyzing all possible global configurations
Data Source
AI summary
The present approach is directed to an improved method, system, and computer program product for visually presenting layout options for generating an electronic design. The visual presentation could be employed to display a set of layout choices when correcting errors or rules violations identified in the design. Alternatively, the visual presentation could be employed to display layout choices during the initial design entry phase for the electronic design.