Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described for allowing several different applications to incrementally collaborate while making changes to a circuit design.

Abstract: A method for generating a model for a circuit having logic components is provided. The method includes identifying interface path logic components of the logic components so as to define shell logic, and identifying at least one of the logic components on which a constraint has been annotated so as to define constrained logic components. A subset of the logic components to preserve is then determined, the subset including the shell logic and the constrained logic components so as to define preserved logic. The model is then formed from the preserved logic. A highly accurate model can thus be created, while reducing computational and memory requirements. On-the-fly regeneration of the model is also possible, as is dominant path logic preservation.

Abstract: A method for generating a model for a circuit having logic components is provided. The method includes identifying interface path logic components of the logic components so as to define shell logic, and identifying at least one of the logic components on which a constraint has been annotated so as to define constrained logic components. A subset of the logic components to preserve is then determined, the subset including the shell logic and the constrained logic components so as to define preserved logic. The model is then formed from the preserved logic. A highly accurate model can thus be created, while reducing computational and memory requirements. On-the-fly regeneration of the model is also possible, as is dominant path logic preservation.

Abstract: A method for timing verification of very large scale integrated circuits reduces required CPU speed and memory usage. The method involves steps including partitioning the circuit into a plurality of blocks and then partitioning the verification between shell path components and core path components. Timing verification is then conducted for only shell path components while core path components are abstracted or ignored. Finally, timing verification for core path components in each block completes the process for the entire design.