Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device utilizing programmable logic devices (PLDs) includes generating options for utilizing resources on the PLDs in response to user specified constraints. The options for utilizing the resources on the PLDs are refined independent of the user specified constraints.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device utilizing programmable logic devices (PLDs) includes generating options for utilizing resources on the PLDs in response to user specified constraints. The options for utilizing the resources on the PLDs are refined independent of the user specified constraints.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device includes merging a netlist for a first partition of the system generated from a bottom-up design flow with a netlist for a second partition of the system from a top-down design flow to form a combined netlist, and performing fitting on the combined netlist.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device utilizing programmable logic devices (PLDs) includes generating options for utilizing resources on the PLDs in response to user specified constraints. The options for utilizing the resources on the PLDs are refined independent of the user specified constraints.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device utilizing programmable logic devices (PLDs) includes generating options for utilizing resources on the PLDs in response to user specified constraints. The options for utilizing the resources on the PLDs are refined independent of the user specified constraints.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device includes merging a netlist for a first partition of the system generated from a bottom-up design flow with a netlist for a second partition of the system from a top-down design flow to form a combined netlist, and performing fitting on the combined netlist.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device includes compiling an intellectual property (IP) core to be implemented on the target device such that it satisfies user specified requirements for the system. User logic is compiled after the IP core has been compiled to satisfy user specified requirements for the system.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device includes merging a netlist for a first partition of the system generated from a bottom-up design flow with a netlist for a second partition of the system from a top-down design flow to form a combined netlist, and performing fitting on the combined netlist.

Abstract: The time and computational resources needed to evaluate the potential input parameter settings in a design space is decreased by determining probabilities of improvement for input parameter settings in the design space and eliminating input parameter values that have low probabilities of improvement from the design space prior to compilation. The probability of improvement for input parameter settings is an estimate of the likelihood that the compilation of the user design using the set of input parameter settings will improve the performance of the user design with respect to one or more design goals, such as timing, power, or resource usage. The probability of improvement for input parameter settings can be determined from an analysis of the compilation results of sample designs, from attributes and/or constraints of the user design, and/or from a correlation between the results of optimization algorithms applied to the user design.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device includes merging a netlist for a first partition of the system generated from a bottom-up design flow with a netlist for a second partition of the system from a top-down design flow to form a combined netlist, and performing fitting on the combined netlist.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device utilizing field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) includes identifying a group of components associated with a critical signal in the system. A first copy and a second copy of the group of components are generated where the first copy is driven by a first signal at a first state and the second copy is driven by a second signal at a second state. The system is configured to select an output of one of the first copy and the second copy in response to the critical signal.

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing the placement and synthesis of a circuit design on a programmable integrated circuit are provided. The performance of a circuit design is analyzed after it has been compiled with different values for selected input parameters. The input parameter values that produce the best results for an output metric are then chosen to synthesis and place the circuit design on the programmable integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the values of the output metrics are averaged for all test compiles that share the same input parameters, but different seeds. In another embodiment, the compile with the best output metrics, as determined by the user, are selected. These techniques allow a user to automatically trade off compile-time to get a better-optimized circuit.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device includes merging a post-fit netlist for a first partition of the system from a set-up compilation with a post-synthesis netlist for a second partition of the system from an incremental compilation to form a combined netlist. Fitting is performed on the combined netlist.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device utilizing field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) includes duplicating a plurality of components in response to slack values associated with connections to the components in placement locations.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for converting a circuit design file so that it is compatible with a new programmable IC. Black box declarations and instances of black boxes in the circuit design file are located automatically. Then, information about the function and structure of the black boxes is gathered from various user files. This information is used to convert the black box declarations and instances into equivalent declarations and instances that are compatible with the new programmable IC. The design conversion process is performed quickly and automatically with minimal user input. User input is only needed to identify recognized black boxes.

Abstract: The time and computational resources needed to evaluate the potential input parameter settings in a design space is decreased by determining probabilities of improvement for input parameter settings in the design space and eliminating input parameter values that have low probabilities of improvement from the design space prior to compilation. The probability of improvement for input parameter settings is an estimate of the likelihood that the compilation of the user design using the set of input parameter settings will improve the performance of the user design with respect to one or more design goals, such as timing, power, or resource usage. The probability of improvement for input parameter settings can be determined from an analysis of the compilation results of sample designs, from attributes and/or constraints of the user design, and/or from a correlation between the results of optimization algorithms applied to the user design.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device utilizing field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) includes identifying registers on near-critical paths. The registers are moved to shorten lengths of one or more near-critical paths.

Abstract: Multiple optimization phases are combined to improve the performance and decrease the compilation time of user designs. An initial user design is compiled and analyzed to provide timing information. A two-pass optimization phase uses the timing information to optimize the user design. As the compilation process is repeated for the optimized user design, an incremental processing phase applies configuration information previously generated for the original user design to the corresponding portions of the optimized user design. Similarly, a selected one of a set of optimization algorithms can be applied to a modified user design, with the selection determined from an evaluation of the set of optimization algorithms on the unmodified user design. Additionally, external applications can perform one or more optimization phases on an original or modified user design.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device utilizing field programmable gate arrays is disclosed. A design is synthesized for the system. Components in the design are mapped onto resources on the target device. Placement locations are determined for the components on the target device. Components to replicate are identified in response to criticality determined from the placement locations.

Abstract: A system and method improves the effectiveness of logic duplication optimizations by dynamically allocating the usage of logic duplicates. Duplicate atoms in the user design are identified. Atoms satisfying heuristics can also be duplicated and added to the user design. During placement, a duplicate-aware cost function is used to determine the location on the programmable device of atoms driven by a duplicate atom. The duplicate-aware cost function evaluates the suitability of a potential location of a driven atom with respect to a source atom and any duplicates of the source atom. Following placement of the atoms of the user design, a rewiring phase establishes a connection between each driven atom and one of the duplicated source atoms. The duplicate-aware cost function can be used to evaluate sets of duplicate source atoms to optimize the operating speed, power consumption, and/or routability of a user design.