Abstract: A system and method for developing a reusable electronic circuit design module are presented in various embodiments. In one embodiment, the functional design elements comprising a design module are entered into a database along with documentation elements that describe the design elements. The functional design elements are linked with selected ones of the documentation elements in the database. A testbench is simulated with the design module, and the generated results are stored in a database and linked with the functional design elements. By linking the simulation results, documentation, and design elements, the characteristics of the design module are easily ascertained by a designer who is reusing the design module.

Abstract: The invention includes mechanisms and methods supporting a first party defining members of a community. Development of at least one legacy archive for access only by the members of the community. Development of legacy content for integration into the legacy archive. These activities and mechanisms generate revenue. The defined community, its legacy archive, the legacy content and the revenue are products of the invention's process. The invention may further include a restricted access mechanism to the legacy archive only for the community members to create revenue. A communications access provider may further host the restricted access mechanism. The invention may include mechanisms and methods specifying and supporting at least one instance of the legacy archive, for delivery to a community member. The invention further includes specifying and creating updates to these legacy archive instances based upon legacy content provided for integration. These activities and mechanisms further generate revenue.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a mechanism for a terminal service organization enlisting a customer for a web-service, including the following. The terminal service organization provides an avenue referring which the customer to the web-service. The customer uses the avenue to engage the web-service to provide at least one web-service product creating a web-site revenue for the web-service. The web-site product is customized by at least one instruction from the customer. And the terminal service organization receives an organization revenue based upon the customer using the avenue to create the web-site revenue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing performance and density of a source design module for a target programmable gate array. The source design module is converted to logic for a selected target programmable gate array. Performance and density of the converted logic are then estimated. If the estimated performance level does not achieve a target performance level, then problematic design elements are automatically or optionally converted to functionally equivalent programmable gate array design elements. The performance and density of the target programmable gate array is again estimated using the new design elements. In another mode of operation, design guidance is provided in converting the problematic design elements.

Abstract: The notion of global signals (e.g., global set/reset and global tristate) is of significance to programmable logic user throughout the design process. Regardless of whether the HDL designer explicitly describes the use of a global signal, they are present in the implemented device since they are an integral part of the initialization and start-up process. This may lead to mismatches between the Register Transfer Level (RTL) simulation and the timing simulation. While a methodology for verifying the functionality of global signals is available for schematic design entry, none exists for HDL design tools. A verification method for HDL designers is disclosed providing access to all the functionality relating to global networks currently available to the schematic designers and allowing reuse of the testbench without losing HDL code portability.