Apparatus and method for handling of multi-level circuit design data

[0001] 1. Technical Field of the Present Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to the design automation of complex circuits to be integrated on a single semiconductor device. More specifically, the invention relates to the specific stages of semiconductor chip design tools and methodologies.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] There will now be provided a discussion of various topics to provide a proper foundation for understanding the present invention.

[0005] In recent years, the ability to design complex semiconductor devices has increased and it is quite common to observe designs with millions of gates all reduced to a single integrated circuit. Today's complex designs are combinations of acquired intellectual property (IP) in the form of logic design libraries such as logic gates, flip-flops, memories, etc., as well as more complex building blocks such as micro-controllers, digital signal processors (DSP), phase-locked loops and many others. Designers combine these design libraries with their self-conceived innovations and ideas, as well as with portions of designs that may have been previously used, to form new and more sophisticated solutions.

[0006] Referring to FIG. 1, the process of the design of a semiconductor device is illustrated, where the various stages of a design are shown. Commonly, a design is described in a hardware definition language (HDL), such as register transfer level (RTL). This enables the capturing of the design concepts in a manner that allows certain automated tools to handle the process of turning the design concepts into a transistor level solution required for the actual manufacturing of a semiconductor device.

[0007] An HDL representation 110 of a chip is prepared, at least partially based on the design representation 120 supplied for the purpose of designing the chip. It should be noted that the design representation 120 has certain constraints 170A. Constraints 170A define the ways that the design representation 120 may be used and such constraints ought to be at least partially taken into consideration as early as the HDL 110 stage of the design. Upon completion, or at least partial completion of the design, the verification stage 130 may begin. However, such verification must take into consideration various constrains 170B, which may be constraints imposed by the designer, the combinational use of the design representation 120 with the newly added designs, and other factors. If errors are detected, the HDL 110 must be corrected based on the errors found in this stage. Next, the synthesis stage 140 takes place, where the general logic design is further detailed in the transistor level. Additional constraints 170C are added at this stage, and may be constraints relative to the drive capability of transistors, speed requirements and similar parameters. If errors are detected, the HDL 110 must be corrected based on the errors found at this stage. These steps are similarly repeated at test stage 150 and the manufacture stage 160, adding constraints 170D and 170E that must be taken into consideration to ensure a successful and operative chip. At each such stage, upon detection of an error, the HDL 110 must be corrected and the process repeated. The compliance with the process is important as is the manufacturing costs of sophisticated devices which, when using deep sub-micron design rules, is extremely high. Moreover, additional design and manufacturing cycles are not only expensive but contribute to delays in introduction of products into the marketplace. It should be further noted that such complex devices are customarily designed by large groups of engineers of different backgrounds and geographical locations, further enhancing the design's vulnerability to errors.

[0008] It would be therefore advantageous to develop a system and a method that allows for easy collaboration between large groups of designers using multiple sources of design representation and design types. It would be further advantageous if there would be easy referencing between each stage of the design for quick identification and corrections of design errors.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and to overcome the above problems and limitations of the prior art.

[0010] A system, method and programmed product is provided for the purpose of a look-ahead design methodology. The system includes a constraint database, a means for design analysis and a means for detecting design violations based on information from the constraint database and results of the design analysis. Specifically, the design analysis includes means for hierarchical design analysis, structural design analysis and flat gate netlist analysis.

[0011] A chip development system is also provided wherein a sub-system is capable of look-ahead design analysis, the subsystem having an design constraint input means, a design high-level definition input means and a means for providing feedback of design violations.

[0012] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present invention. The aspects and advantages of the present invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

[0013] A first aspect of the present invention provides a system for look-ahead design analysis. The system for look-ahead design analysis comprises a constraint database. The system further comprises means for design analysis comprising hierarchical design analysis means, structural design analysis means and flat gate netlist design analysis means. The system for look-ahead analysis further comprises means for detecting hierarchical design violations based on information from the constraint database. The means for detecting hierarchical design violations also uses results from the hierarchical design analysis means, structural design analysis means and flat gate netlist design analysis means.

[0014] A second aspect of the invention provides a method for look-ahead design analysis. The method for look-ahead design analysis comprises first collecting constraint data in a constraint database. Next, the method performs at least a hierarchical design analysis and a structural design analysis. Following the design analyses, the method detects design violations based on information from the constraint database, as well as the results from the hierarchical design analysis and structural design analysis.

[0015] A third aspect of the invention provides a computer software product for the purpose of look-ahead design analysis. The computer program product comprises software instructions that enable the computer software product to perform predetermined operations for look-ahead design analysis, and a computer readable medium bearing the software instructions. The predetermined operations comprise first collecting constraint data in a constraint database. The predetermined operations further comprise performing a hierarchical design analysis and a structural design analysis. Following the design analyses, the predetermined operations next detect design violations based on information from the constraint database and based on the results from the hierarchical design analysis and the structural design analysis.

[0016] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a chip development system that comprises a look-ahead design analysis sub-system. The chip development system further comprises means for inputting design constraints, and means for inputting a design high-level definition. In addition, the chip development system further comprises means for providing feedback of design violations.

[0017] A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a look-ahead design analysis mechanism that comprises a constraint database, and a design analysis mechanism operably configured to perform hierarchical design analysis, structural design analysis and flat gate netlist design analysis. The design analysis mechanism further provides a detection mechanism operably configured to detect design violations based on information from the constraint database and based on the results from the hierarchical design analysis, the structural design analysis and the flat gate netlist design analysis.

[0018] The above aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and with reference to the accompanying drawing figures.

[0030] Prior to describing the aspects of the present invention, some details concerning the prior art will be provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present invention and to set forth the meaning of various terms.

[0031] As used herein, the term “computer system” encompasses the widest possible meaning and includes, but is not limited to, standalone processors, networked processors, mainframe processors, and processors in a client/server relationship. The term “computer system” is to be understood to include at least a memory and a processor. In general, the memory will store, at one time or another, at least portions of executable program code, and the processor will execute one or more of the instructions included in that executable program code.

[0032] As used herein, the terms “predetermined operations,” the term “computer system software” and the term “executable code” mean substantially the same thing for the purposes of this description. It is not necessary to the practice of this invention that the memory and the processor be physically located in the same place. That is to say, it is foreseen that the processor and the memory might be in different physical pieces of equipment or even in geographically distinct locations.

[0033] As used herein, the terms “media,” “medium” or “computer-readable media” include, but is not limited to, a diskette, a tape, a compact disc, an integrated circuit, a cartridge, a remote transmission via a communications circuit, or any other similar medium useable by computers. For example, to distribute computer system software, the supplier might provide a diskette or might transmit the instructions for performing predetermined operations in some form via satellite transmission, via a direct telephone link, or via the Internet.

[0034] Although computer system software might be “written on” a diskette, “stored in” an integrated circuit, or “carried over” a communications circuit, it will be appreciated that, for the purposes of this discussion, the computer usable medium will be referred to as “bearing” the instructions for performing predetermined operations. Thus, the term “bearing” is intended to encompass the above and all equivalent ways in which instructions for performing predetermined operations are associated with a computer usable medium.

[0035] Therefore, for the sake of simplicity, the term “program product” is hereafter used to refer to a computer-readable medium, as defined above, which bears instructions for performing predetermined operations in any form.

[0036] A detailed description of the aspects of the present invention will now be given referring to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 2, an architecture 200 for design control capable of ensuring clean HDL designs is presented. The HDL 210 maybe represented by register transfer level (RTL) in terms of VHSIC HDL (VHDL) or Verilog. The HDL 210 is connected to a constraint engine 280 that in turn receives multiple constraints applicable to the various stages of the design process. These may include, but are not limited to, constraints relative to the design representation 220, the verification stage 230, the synthesis stage 240, the test stage 250 and the manufacture stage 260. All of the constraints 270 are fed to the constraint engine, as well as the HDL 210, and the impact of the constraints is evaluated. Feedback on problems may be provided at each of the design levels, as well as feedback directed at the HDL 210 level. This significantly reduces the need to track low level errors at a late stage of the design and the way it relates to the HDL 210. It should be noted that the constraints may apply to all portions of the design, or only to certain portions thereof. For example, a purchased design representation 220 may have constraints that are valid only to such design representation 220 and not to any other component used in the stages of the design. For example, input/output (I/O) circuits usually have constraints that are significantly different from other constraints imposed on other portions of the design.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 5, an extension of architecture 300 is shown. Two additional stages are added to the system for the purpose of ensuring post manufacturing constraint compliance, otherwise known as design for testability (DFT). In these two stages, the capability of testing and scanning the chip are checked 510, as well as the ability to control, observe and initialize the chip 520. Violations 570 are reported through a back-reference mechanism 580 such that the error is represented at each stage of the design all the way back to the highest description level possible. This again allows for the correction of the problem at the highest design level possible.

[0039] The HDL 210 design is provided to LHA 340, where the analysis described above is performed. When violations are detected at LHA 340 level, the violations 370 are directly reported to HDL report database 390. The violations 370 detected at SHA 350 level are first back-referenced 380 to LHA 340 for the purpose of identification of the violation in the logical representation. The error is then reported to the HDL report database 390. The violations 370 detected at FGNA 360 are first back-referenced 380 to the back-reference stage of SHA 350, and then back-referenced to LHA 340 stage. This allows for the identification of the error also in the higher levels, namely the structure and the logic levels, allowing for an easier correction of the error detected, directly at the HDL level. The error is then reported to HDL report database 390.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 4, the process is schematically described. The process begins with a HDL 410 that goes through a synthesis process 420. The result of the synthesis is a gate level design 430. The gate level design is then analyzed 440 and if errors are found, design changes take place 450. This process may be a repetitive process until such time where the design is error free. The advantage of the proposed system and method is in the fact that all the user intervention is done at the highest level possible for design fixing, thereby ensuring that the time and cost required to implement those fixes are minimized.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 5, an extension of architecture 300 is shown. Two additional stages are added to the system for the purpose of ensuring post manufacturing constraint compliance, otherwise known as design for testability (DFT). In these two stages, the capability of testing and scanning the chip are checked 510, as well as the ability to control, observe and initialize the chip 520. Violations are reported through a back-reference mechanism such that the error is represented at each stage of the design all the way back to the highest description level possible. This again allows for the correction of the problem at the highest design level possible.

[0042] The following description is an exemplary implementation and use of the disclosed invention. Referring to FIG. 6, exemplary code in RTL is provided. In line 0605, the top module description begins and its description ends at line 0630. The module has two inputs, “clk” and “reset”, defined in line 0610, as well as an output “out” defined in line 0615. The “cnt” is a two-bit signal and therefore a two-wire bus is defined in line 0620. The connection of the counter is defined in line 0625. The counter definition is as follows: counter (3, clk, reset, c|reset, cnt, out, c)

[0043] Referring to FIG. 7, the resultant logic description of circuit 700 is shown. Specifically, the pins of counter 710 are as follows: limit, clk, Reset, Cin, cnt, Pulse, and Cout, corresponding to 3, clk, reset, c|reset, cnt, out, c respectively of “counter” above. The notation “3” is used to define a two-bit connection with each bit connected to “power”. “clk” is used to denote a clock. “reset” is a signal used for the resetting of a device, specifically, setting its output to “0”. In the case of this counter, the output “cnt” will have the value “0” after reset, i.e., both wires of “cnt” will have the logical value “0”. The notation “c|reset” means that the input Cin of counter 710 will receive the value of reset logically “OR”ed with the value of “c”. It can be easily seen that the value of “c” is provided from Cout of counter 710. This connection has created a feedback loop from Cout through OR gate 720 and back to counter 710. However, this feedback loop may not be easily observed at this level of description because a part of the connection can only be inferred in a lower level of the hierarchy. Lines 0635 through 0685 further describe the behavior of counter 710.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 8, the output from logic hierarchy 340 is shown. As a result of the feedback loop explained above, an inferred latch device is actually created as can be seen in line 0844. This latch is not one intended in the original design and is a result of a design error. Referring to FIG. 9, the result of flat gate netlist 360 is shown. The combinational loop becomes apparent by tracing paths from all nets through combinational elements and searching for paths that loop back on themselves. This allows for the detection of such feedback loops even though such loops may cross hierarchy boundaries. While hierarchy-based methods frequently report false feedback where no feedback exists, this test method is unambiguous, i.e., not subject to false reporting of errors.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 10, an output report is provided making notification of the error detected. The report is provided in HDL report 390. Specifically, line 1210 signals that there is a latch inferred for the signal “pulse”. Next, in line 1220 the specific error is detected as a combinational loop and indicating the specific place, by source (input) file and line-number in that file where such error has occurred. By providing the high level pinpoint notification of the error, the designer is assured of early and easy detection of design failure which would have been otherwise detected at a much later stage of the design phase.

[0046] The foregoing description of the aspects of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the present invention. The principles of the present invention and its practical application were described in order to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the present invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0047] Thus, while only certain aspects of the present invention have been specifically described herein, it will be apparent that numerous modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, acronyms are used merely to enhance the readability of the specification and claims. It should be noted that these acronyms are not intended to lessen the generality of the terms used and they should not be construed to restrict the scope of the claims to the embodiments described therein.