US6356796B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Language controlled design flow for electronic circuits
Assignee: Cadence Design Systems Inc
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Filing: 1998-12-17
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Granted: 2002-03-12
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Expires: 2018-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A Language Controlled Design Flow for the development of integrated circuits (IC) that allows users to Characterize, Synthesize, Simulate, and Analyze IC designs. The Language Controlled Design Flow provides specialized features that enable rapid design development and Intellectual Property (IP) reuse. The language provides the ability to capture a designer's knowledge about the Design Components and Design Processes unique to those components during characterization, synthesis, simulation, and analysis. A feature of this invention is the ability to separate design or design component specific knowledge from the tools used for analysis. This leads to benefits in extensibility, simplicity, accuracy, and performance of the overall tool set. Also provided is a mechanism in which the design process can be fully automated with a Language Controlled Design Flow that can take advantage of the information available in the design, in the design components, and in the design process flow. Additionally, this invention may be implemented in a set of commercially available computer software programs.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie D. Spruiell
- 👤 Robert W. McGuffin
- 👤 Bendt H. Sorensen
- 👤 Michael J. Demler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:48
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F30/00; G06F30/30; G06F30/36; G06F30/367
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for electronic circuit design, that uses a language controlled design flow to allow for a sharing of design-related information between a plurality of design tools, comprising: a collection of design tools, each of said design tools configured to produce at least one part or function of an overall electronic circuit design; a master plan containing design-specific instructions readable by at least two of said design tools, wherein said design-specific instructions contain situation specific knowledge on how said at least two design tools should be applied in a specific design situation, and further allow the operation of said at least two design tools to be modified to reflect said specific design situation; and, a language controlled design flow that uses said design tools together with said design-specific instructions in said master plan to design said electronic circuit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for electronic circuit design, that uses a language controlled design flow to allow for a sharing of design-related information between a plurality of design tools, comprising: a collection of design tools, each of said design tools configured to produce at least one part or function of an overall electronic circuit design; a master plan containing design-specific instructions readable by at least two of said design tools, wherein said design-specific instructions contain situation specific knowledge on how said at least two design tools should be applied in a specific design situation, and further allow the operation of said at least two design tools to be modified to reflect said specific design situation; and, a language controlled design flow that uses said design tools together with said design-specific instructions in said master plan to design said electronic circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein said design flow exclusively utilizes said master plan for how to apply said collection of tools.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein: said overall design is one of an electronic and electro mechanical system; and said instructions in said master plan includes how to optimize specific electronic or electro mechanical components.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein: said collection of tools includes a synthesizer configured to perform at least one of architectural optimization; and said master plan includes computer instructions for directing a synthesis of said at least one part or function of said overall design.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein: said collection of tools includes a characterizer configured to acquire behavioral characteristics of at least one design component and save the acquired behavioral characteristics in a database; said behavioral characteristics including any user definable or inherent characteristics related to said at least one design component; and said master plan includes computer instructions configured to monitor and control operation of said characterizer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 5 , wherein said user definable or inherent characteristics include at least one of information about a fabrication process, operating voltage, electrical loading, and operating temperatures of said at least one design component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system according to claim 5 , wherein: said collection of tools includes a synthesizer configured to perform at least one of pattern matching, optimization, cell selection; and said master plan includes computer instructions for directing a synthesis of said at least one part or function of said overall design; and said synthesizer utilizes said acquired behavioral characteristics stored in said database by said characterizer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system according to claim 5 , wherein: said collection of tools includes a synthesizer configured to perform at least one of architectural optimization, technology mapping and performance optimization; and said master plan includes computer instructions for directing a synthesis of said at least one part or function of said overall design; and said synthesizer utilizes said acquired behavioral characteristics stored in said database by said characterizer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein said master plan is a rule based system having rules on how to apply said collection of tools.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of performing automated design of a device, that uses a language controlled design flow to allow for a sharing of design-related information between a plurality of design tools, comprising the steps of: executing a collection of design tools for performing said design, each of said design tools configured to produce at least one part or function of an overall electronic circuit design; retrieving instructions from a master plan, said master plan including design-specific instructions readable by at least two of said design tools, wherein said design-specific instructions contain situation specific knowledge on how said at least two design tools should be applied in a specific design situation, and further allow the operation of said at least two design tools to be modified to reflect said specific design situation; using said instructions to modify the operation of said collection of design tools to reflect said specific design implementation; and, utilizing at least one of said instructions by at least two respective design tools of said collection of design tools to determine how to apply each respective design tool to perform at least one part of said design.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of performing automated design of a device, that uses a language controlled design flow to allow for a sharing of design-related information between a plurality of design tools, comprising the steps of: executing a collection of design tools for performing said design, each of said design tools configured to produce at least one part or function of an overall electronic circuit design; retrieving instructions from a master plan, said master plan including design-specific instructions readable by at least two of said design tools, wherein said design-specific instructions contain situation specific knowledge on how said at least two design tools should be applied in a specific design situation, and further allow the operation of said at least two design tools to be modified to reflect said specific design situation; using said instructions to modify the operation of said collection of design tools to reflect said specific design implementation; and, utilizing at least one of said instructions by at least two respective design tools of said collection of design tools to determine how to apply each respective design tool to perform at least one part of said design.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method according to claim 10 , wherein said step of executing, comprises the steps of: executing a first design tool that utilizes instructions from said master plan to determine how to apply said first design tool to produce at least one part of a said design of at least one component; and executing a second design tool that utilizes instructions from said master plan to determine how to apply said second design tool to produce at least one part of a said design of at l east one component.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 10 , further comprising the step of: utilizing said master plan, on an exclusive basis, by said collection of design tools, to determine how to apply said design tools to produce each respective part of said design of said component.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 10 , wherein: said device is one of an electronic and electro-mechanical system; and said instructions in said master plan includes how to optimize electronic or electro mechanical components of said system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method according to claim 10 , wherein said step of executing includes: executing a synthesizer configured to perform at least one of architectural optimization, technology mapping and performance optimization; and directing a synthesis of said at least one part of said design by said synthesizer according to computer instructions stored in said master plan.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method according to claim 10 , wherein said step of executing includes: acquiring behavioral characteristics, via execution of a characterizer, including at least one of user definable and inherent characteristics, of any component of said design; saving the acquired behavioral characteristics in a database; and monitoring and controlling operation of said characterizer via instructions stored in said master plan.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 15 , wherein said user definable and inherent characteristics include at least one of information about a fabrication process, operating voltage, electrical loading, and operating temperatures of said at least one design component.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method according to claim 15 , wherein: said step of executing includes, executing a synthesizer configured to perform at least one of pattern matching, optimization, cell selection; and directing operations of said synthesizer according to synthesis instructions stored in said master plan and the acquired behavioral characteristics stored in said database by said characterizer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method according to claim 15 , wherein: said step of executing includes, executing a synthesizer configured to perform at least one of architectural optimization, technology mapping and performance optimization; directing operations of said synthesizer according to synthesis instructions stored in said master plan and the acquired behavioral characteristics stored in said database by said characterizer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 10 , further comprising the step of: applying at least two of said collection of tools according to a rule based system constructed from said instructions retrieved from said master plan.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
174 words
A computer readable media, having instructions stored thereon, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of: executing a collection of design tools for performing an electronic circuit design, each of said design tools configured to produce at least one part or function of an overall electronic circuit design; retrieving instructions from a master plan, said master plan including design-specific instructions readable by at least two of said design tools, wherein said design-specific instructions contain situation specific knowledge on how said at least two design tools should be applied in a specific design situation, and further allow the operation of said at least two design tools to be modified to reflect said specific design situation; and, utilizing at least one of said instructions by at least two respective design tools of said collection of design tools to determine how to apply each respective design tool to perform at least one part of said design and to modify the operation of said collection of design tools to reflect said design implementation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
174 words
A computer readable media, having instructions stored thereon, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of: executing a collection of design tools for performing an electronic circuit design, each of said design tools configured to produce at least one part or function of an overall electronic circuit design; retrieving instructions from a master plan, said master plan including design-specific instructions readable by at least two of said design tools, wherein said design-specific instructions contain situation specific knowledge on how said at least two design tools should be applied in a specific design situation, and further allow the operation of said at least two design tools to be modified to reflect said specific design situation; and, utilizing at least one of said instructions by at least two respective design tools of said collection of design tools to determine how to apply each respective design tool to perform at least one part of said design and to modify the operation of said collection of design tools to reflect said design implementation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
91 words
The computer readable media according to claim 20 , wherein said step of executing, includes the steps of: executing a first design tool that utilizes instructions from said master plan to determine how to apply said first design tool to produce at least one part of a said design of at least one component; and executing a second design tool that utilizes instructions from said master plan to determine how to apply said second design tool to produce at least one part of a said design of at least one component.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
59 words
The computer readable media according to claim 20 , wherein said instructions, when loaded into a computer, further cause the computer to perform the step of: utilizing said master plan, on an exclusive basis, by said collection of design tools, to determine how to apply said design tools to produce each respective part of said design of said component.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer readable media according to claim 20 , wherein: said device is one of an electronic and electro-mechanical system; and said instructions in said master plan include how to optimize electronic or electro mechanical components of said system.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
60 words
The computer readable media according to claim 20 , wherein said step of executing, includes the steps of: executing a synthesizer configured to perform at least one of architectural optimization, technology mapping and performance optimization; and directing a synthesis of said at least one part of said design by said synthesizer according to computer instructions stored in said master plan.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
65 words
The computer readable media according to claim 20 , wherein said step of executing, includes the steps of: acquiring behavioral characteristics, via execution of a characterizer, including at least one of user definable and inherent characteristics, of any component of said design; saving the acquired behavioral characteristics in a database; and monitoring and controlling operation of said characterizer via instructions stored in said master plan.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer readable media according to claim 25 , wherein said user definable or inherent characteristics include at least one of information about a fabrication process, operating voltage, electrical loading, and operating temperatures of said at least one design component.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
60 words
The computer readable media according to claim 20 , wherein said step of executing, includes the steps of: executing a synthesizer configured to perform at least one of pattern matching, optimization, cell selection; and directing operations of said synthesizer according to synthesis instructions stored in said master plan and the acquired behavioral characteristics stored in said database by said characterizer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
62 words
The computer readable media according to claim 20 , wherein said step of executing, includes the steps of: executing a synthesizer configured to perform at least one of architectural optimization, technology mapping and performance optimization; and directing operations of said synthesizer according to synthesis instructions stored in said master plan and the acquired behavioral characteristics stored in said database by said characterizer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
50 words
The computer readable media according to claim 20 , wherein said instructions, when loaded into a computer, further cause the computer to perform the step of: applying at least two of said collection of tools according to a rule based system constructed from said instructions retrieved from said master plan.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
200 words
A tool for electronic circuit design, that uses a language controlled design flow to allow for a sharing of design-related information between a plurality of design tools, comprising: means for executing a collection of design tools, each of said collection of design tools configured to produce at least one part of a design; master plan means containing design-specific instructions for design of at least one part of the design, said master plan means being further readable by at least two of said design tools, wherein said design-specific instructions contain situation specific knowledge on how said at least two design tools should be applied in a specific design situation, and further allow the operation of said at least two design tools to be modified to reflect said specific design situation; means for modifying the operation of said collection of design tools to reflect said instructions; and, means for utilizing said instructions by at least two of said tools to determine how to apply each respective design tool to perform at least one part of said design, to modify the operation of said collection of design tools to reflect said design implementation, and to produce a corresponding said part of the design.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
200 words
A tool for electronic circuit design, that uses a language controlled design flow to allow for a sharing of design-related information between a plurality of design tools, comprising: means for executing a collection of design tools, each of said collection of design tools configured to produce at least one part of a design; master plan means containing design-specific instructions for design of at least one part of the design, said master plan means being further readable by at least two of said design tools, wherein said design-specific instructions contain situation specific knowledge on how said at least two design tools should be applied in a specific design situation, and further allow the operation of said at least two design tools to be modified to reflect said specific design situation; means for modifying the operation of said collection of design tools to reflect said instructions; and, means for utilizing said instructions by at least two of said tools to determine how to apply each respective design tool to perform at least one part of said design, to modify the operation of said collection of design tools to reflect said design implementation, and to produce a corresponding said part of the design.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-03-11 | 2005-09-10 | 2006-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-03-11 | 2009-09-10 | 2010-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-03-11 | 2013-09-10 | 2014-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |