Abstract: A system (10) for designing diverse communications circuits (36) includes a diversity set (14) identifying at least one circuit (36) that is to be diverse from one or more other circuits (36) in the diversity set (14). The system (10) further includes one or more diversity rules (16) applicable to one or more circuits (36) belonging to the diversity set (14). A diversity engine (12) validates the assignment of at least one circuit element to a circuit (36) in the diversity set (14), according to the diversity rules (16), such that the circuit (36) is diverse from at least one other circuit (36) in the diversity set (14) with respect to that circuit element. The diversity engine (12) may generate one or more diversity violations (18) if the assignment of the circuit element fails to comply with the diversity rules (16) and may associate the diversity violations (18) with the circuit (36) and its diversity set (14) to indicate a possible need to modify the assignment.