Abstract: A task-based multi-process design synthesis methodology relies on a plurality of child processes to assist a parent process in performing optimizations on an integrated circuit design. Objects from an integrated circuit design are grouped into subsets and assigned to child processes, with each child process performing a transform on each of the objects in the subset assigned to that child process and determining which of the objects in the subset are candidate objects for which performance of the transform has been successful. The child processes then notify the parent process of those objects that qualify as candidate objects, so that the parent process only has to perform the transform on the candidate objects, thereby relieving the parent process from the overhead associated with performing the transform on non-candidate objects for which the transform has been determined by the child processes as not being successful.

Abstract: A task-based multi-process design synthesis methodology relies on a plurality of child processes to assist a parent process in performing optimizations on an integrated circuit design. Objects from an integrated circuit design are grouped into subsets and assigned to child processes, with each child process performing a transform on each of the objects in the subset assigned to that child process and determining which of the objects in the subset are candidate objects for which performance of the transform has been successful. The child processes then notify the parent process of those objects that qualify as candidate objects, so that the parent process only has to perform the transform on the candidate objects, thereby relieving the parent process from the overhead associated with performing the transform on non-candidate objects for which the transform has been determined by the child processes as not being successful.

Abstract: A task-based multi-process design synthesis methodology relies on a plurality of child processes to assist a parent process in performing optimizations on an integrated circuit design. Objects from an integrated circuit design are grouped into subsets and assigned to child processes, with each child process performing a transform on each of the objects in the subset assigned to that child process and determining which of the objects in the subset are candidate objects for which performance of the transform has been successful. Each child process also provides result data to the parent process for each candidate object to reduce the overhead of the parent process when performing the transform on the candidate object. The result data, which may include, for example, a set of instructions or hints, may allow a parent process to take advantage of the efforts of the child process in performing the transform.

Abstract: A task-based multi-process design synthesis methodology is reproducible, and relies on a plurality of child processes to assist a parent process in performing optimizations on an integrated circuit design. Objects from an integrated circuit design are grouped into subsets and assigned to child processes, with each child process performing a transform on each of the objects in the subset assigned to that child process and determining which of the objects in the subset are candidate objects for which performance of the transform has been successful. Each child process also undoes the transform performed for each object such that the same initial state of the integrated circuit design is used to perform each transform. In addition, the parent process tracks the results of performing the transform by each child process, and applies successful transforms in a controlled sequence.

Abstract: A task-based multi-process design synthesis methodology relies on a plurality of child processes to assist a parent process in performing optimizations on an integrated circuit design. Objects from an integrated circuit design are grouped into subsets and assigned to child processes, with each child process performing a transform on each of the objects in the subset assigned to that child process and determining which of the objects in the subset are candidate objects for which performance of the transform has been successful. The child processes then notify the parent process of those objects that qualify as candidate objects, so that the parent process only has to perform the transform on the candidate objects, thereby relieving the parent process from the overhead associated with performing the transform on non-candidate objects for which the transform has been determined by the child processes as not being successful.

Abstract: A task-based multi-process design synthesis methodology relies on a plurality of child processes to assist a parent process in performing optimizations on an integrated circuit design. Objects from an integrated circuit design are grouped into subsets and assigned to child processes, with each child process performing a transform on each of the objects in the subset assigned to that child process and determining which of the objects in the subset are candidate objects for which performance of the transform has been successful. Each child process also provides result data to the parent process for each candidate object to reduce the overhead of the parent process when performing the transform on the candidate object. The result data, which may include, for example, a set of instructions or hints, may allow a parent process to take advantage of the efforts of the child process in performing the transform.

Abstract: A task-based multi-process design synthesis methodology is reproducible, and relies on a plurality of child processes to assist a parent process in performing optimizations on an integrated circuit design. Objects from an integrated circuit design are grouped into subsets and assigned to child processes, with each child process performing a transform on each of the objects in the subset assigned to that child process and determining which of the objects in the subset are candidate objects for which performance of the transform has been successful. Each child process also undoes the transform performed for each object such that the same initial state of the integrated circuit design is used to perform each transform. In addition, the parent process tracks the results of performing the transform by each child process, and applies successful transforms in a controlled sequence.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program are provided for assessing fairness, performance, and livelock in a logic development process utilizing comparative parallel looping. Multiple loop macros are generated, the multiple loop macros respectively correspond to multiple processor threads, and the multiple loop macros are parallel comparative loop macros. The multiple processor threads for the multiple loop macros are executed in which a common resource is accessed. A forward performance of each of the multiple processor threads is verified. The forward performance of the multiple processor threads is compared with each other. It is determined whether any of the multiple processor threads fails to meet a minimum loop count or a minimum loop time. It is determined whether any of the multiple processor threads exceeds a maximum loop count or a maximum loop time. It is recognized whether fairness is maintained during the execution of the multiple processor threads.

Abstract: A method for analyzing and optimizing a design, such as a circuit design, which relates to the application of at least one optimization procedure, evaluating the benefit and net cost of the optimization procedure and then through the checkpoint manager, recording and reversing changes of the design. The execution and reversal of multiple optimizations may occur in a trial mode followed by evaluation of the executed and reversed designs and then the reinstatement of the best optimization.

Abstract: A method within a logic synthesis system provides for using tags attached to the nodes in a parse string generated from an abstract description of a logic design to classify portions of a heterogeneous design as open control, structure dominant, or direct map. The classification is then used to govern the amount of optimization allowed during logic synthesis. The classification is further used to seed or bypass the covering algorithms to produce the technology implementation desired by the designer. Structure dominance is a technique for "seeding" patterns by a designer which best fit the structure to the technology, which implies that the structural representation of the design as entered by the designer dominates the patterns located by the covering algorithm. However, other pattern matching functions are allowed to find better matches, if they exist, and the covering algorithm is allowed the final choice.

Abstract: Incremental timing analyzer for selectively performing timing analysis on a revised electronic circuit design resulting from one or more modifications to an initial electronic circuit design having input nodes, output nodes, and active elements electrically connected therebetween in a set of signal paths interconnected by a plurality of nodes. Each signal path has a timing delay associated therewith. Data is recorded representative of the modification's affect on relative timing values for a set of signals propagated through the circuit design. The recorded data includes a leftmost frontier of change in relative timing values and a rightmost frontier of change in relative timing values. Upon presentation of a specific timing analysis request, incremental timing analysis on the selected portion of the modified electronic circuit design is conducted employing the recorded frontiers of change to limit the timing value analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for incremental logic synthesis that transforms a revised technology-independent electronic digital circuit design into a revised technology-dependent design deviating as little as possible from the original technology-dependent design. The incremental synthesis procedure includes a forward sweep technique where nodes in the revised technology-independent model and the original technology-dependent design are compared to see if they map the same logical function of the inputs common to both designs. A backward sweep technique compares nodes in the revised technology-independent model to the unrevised technology-dependent design to see which outputs common to both map the same logical node functions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a logic synthesis method and system which begins with a set of register transfer statements describing the desired logic. These statements are converted to expressions in prefix form. Next, logic reduction is performed on the individual expressions. The modified expressions are then converted to a set of logical function blocks, some of which may not be primitive blocks. Logical reduction is performed on the global set of any remaining primitives. The output of the above process is then used to synthesize the logic circuit. Included in the invention are novel techniques for performing logic reduction on the individual expressions.

Abstract: A computer program is disclosed providing a sequence of automated logic synthesis routines having three phases. Phase I identifies an estimated critical path by assuming optimum allocation within a "best-fit" preliminary assignment of the technology to a technology-independent model, and optimizes the estimated model for speed. Phase II provides a technology-legal model, and ends by calculating the actual timing provided by the technology-legal model. Phase III uses self-limiting routines, and routines that are unlikely to produce technology violations, to fine tune the production and performance characteristics of the legal model.