JP2012146193A - Design support device and design support method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve design efficiency.SOLUTION: A design support device 10 conducts: a step for retrieving varieties including functional macros to be loaded in a to-be-produced semiconductor integrated circuit, from a database where information about functional macros included in an existing semiconductor integrated circuit and architecture information including connection information between functional macros are managed according to each variety; a step for extracting the architecture information on the varieties obtained through the retrieval, from the database; a step for comparing the architecture information about the to-be-produced semiconductor integrated circuit with the extracted architecture information on the varieties; and a step for extracting the varieties, the architecture information of which is similar to the architecture information about a to-be-designed semiconductor integrated circuit.

Description

  The present invention relates to a design support method and a design support apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a semiconductor device design process includes a process of determining a system architecture that realizes functions of a semiconductor device. In this process, function macros designed in advance in function units are used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The function macro is registered in the database according to the parameterized specification information. The designer searches the database based on the specifications of the function macros to be mounted on the new semiconductor device, arranges the obtained function macros, and creates a system configuration diagram of the semiconductor device.

JP 2007-299197 A

  As described above, individual function macros corresponding to specifications can be obtained by searching. However, at the time of arrangement, it is necessary to determine whether or not connection between function macros is possible. In the case of a function macro that cannot be connected in the obtained state, it is necessary to correct the function macro or search for a connectable function macro. As described above, the determination for each function macro obtained by the search causes a reduction in design efficiency.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, information on function macros included in an existing semiconductor integrated circuit and architecture information including connection information between function macros are mounted on a semiconductor integrated circuit to be created from a database managed for each product type. The product type including the function macro to be searched is searched, the architecture information of the product type obtained by the search is extracted from the database, the architecture information of the semiconductor integrated circuit to be created is compared with the extracted architecture information of the product type, and designed A type of architecture information similar to the architecture information of the semiconductor integrated circuit is extracted.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, design efficiency can be improved.

It is a block diagram of a design support apparatus. (A) (b) is explanatory drawing of a data structure. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the function which a design support apparatus has. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of a process. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the function which a design support apparatus has. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | work of an architecture design. It is a flowchart which shows a search process. It is a flowchart which shows the search process based on a connection specification. It is explanatory drawing of a matrix table. It is explanatory drawing of the input screen at the time of creating an architecture block diagram. It is a flowchart which shows a notification process.

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the design support apparatus 10 is an apparatus for supporting the architecture design of a semiconductor device, and is, for example, a general design support apparatus (CAD: Computer Aided Design). The design support apparatus 10 includes a processing device 11, a memory 12, an input device 13, a display device 14, a storage device 15, a drive device 16, and a communication device 17.

  The processing device 11 executes a program using the memory 12 and realizes functions necessary for the architecture design of the semiconductor device. The program is for causing the processing device 11 to function as various means for generating design data of the semiconductor device. The memory 12 stores programs and data necessary for providing various functions. The memory 12 typically includes a cache memory, a system memory, and a display memory.

  The input device 13 is used to input a request from a user, an instruction for executing a program, and parameters, and a keyboard and a mouse device (not shown) are used for this. The display device 14 is used to display specification information, search results, parameter input screens, and the like of the semiconductor device to be designed. For this, a CRT, LCD, PDP, or the like is used.

  The processing device 11 causes the display device 14 to display various types of information obtained by the specification and search of the semiconductor device to be designed. The processing device 11 selects, moves, and copies information displayed on the display device 14 and adds or deletes information in accordance with a signal from the input device 13 operated by the user. And the processing apparatus 11 changes design data according to the operation. In this way, the design support apparatus 10 provides a user interface (GUI: Graphical User Interface) for designing a semiconductor device.

  The storage device 15 usually includes a magnetic disk device, an optical disk device, and a magneto-optical disk device. The storage device 15 stores a file containing program data for generating semiconductor device (chip) design data and a file containing various data used for designing the semiconductor device. The processing device 11 reads the data stored in the file of the storage device 15, and creates design data for the semiconductor device based on the data. Then, the processing device 11 stores a file including the created data in the storage device 15.

  The program data executed by the processing device 11 is provided on the recording medium 19, for example. As the recording medium 19, any computer-readable recording such as magnetic tape (MT), memory card, flexible disk, optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM,...), Magneto-optical disk (MO, MD,...) Media can be used. The drive device 16 accesses the storage contents of the recording medium 19. The processing device 11 reads the program data from the recording medium 19 via the drive device 16 and installs it in the storage device 15. The above-described program and data can be stored in the recording medium 19 and loaded into the memory 12 for use as necessary.

  The recording medium 19 includes a medium and a disk device that record program data uploaded or downloaded via a communication medium. Furthermore, not only a recording medium that records a program that can be directly executed by a computer, but also a recording medium that records a program that can be executed once installed on another recording medium (such as a hard disk), or an encrypted program In addition, a recording medium on which a compressed program is recorded is also included.

  The communication device 17 is used to connect the design support device 10 to a network. The communication device 17 performs data conversion associated with communication, and transmits and receives programs and data to and from other devices (design support devices and databases). In addition, the design support apparatus 10 notifies other designers of various types of information generated during data creation, for example, by e-mail. Further, the design support apparatus 10 can receive the above-described program and data from a database of an external information provider or the like via a network, and can use it by loading it into the memory 12 as necessary.

Next, the architecture of the semiconductor device (chip) and the data structure of the composite macro will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the chip (denoted as “FF0101”) 20 includes a plurality of function macros 21a to 21e. The function macro 21a includes a function macro 22a, and the function macro 21c includes a function macro 22b. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the function macro (denoted as “Z001”) 25 is a composite macro and includes function macros 26a, 26b, and 26c. The function macro 26a includes function macros 27a and 27b. The function macro 26b includes function macros 27c and 27d. The function macro 26c includes a function macro 27e. The notation “FF0101” of the chip 20 is a product number, and the notation of each of the function macros 21a to 22b and 25 to 27e (for example, “F001” of the function macro 21a) is a module name.

Next, an overview of the functions of the design support apparatus 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the design support apparatus 10 includes a product information management database (DB) 31 and a macro information management database (DB) 32. These DBs 31 and 32 are stored, for example, in the storage device 15 shown in FIG.

The product information management DB 31 stores architecture information (chip architecture information) of existing products (existing chips).
The architecture information includes the product type, version number (version), specification (spec), function (function), status, and restrictions. The architecture information includes information for specifying a function macro mounted on the chip. This information includes the module name of the function macro, the function, and the number of function macros mounted on the chip (number mounted). Further, the architecture information includes connection information in the installed function macro. The connection information includes module names of other function macros connected to the function macro and module names of terminal cells connected to the function macro.

  The macro information management DB 32 stores data (physical data) necessary for configuring each function macro. The physical data includes a list in which the structure and operation of the function macro are described in a logical description language (for example, Verilog-HDL).

  The data stored in the product information management DB 31 is linked with the data in the macro information management DB 32. For example, the architecture information of the chip 20 shown in FIG. 2A is stored in the product information management DB 31, and the composite macro 25 and the function macros 26a to 27e shown in FIG. 2B are stored in the macro information management DB 32. Stores physical data. The information of the function macro 21d included in the chip 20 includes information (link information) indicating the physical data of the composite macro 25 shown in FIG. Similarly, the information of the function macro 21a includes information (link information) indicating physical data of the function macro 26a.

  The design support apparatus 10 displays a search screen (search window) 33 on the display device 14 shown in FIG. On the search screen 33, the designer includes, as the architecture information of the newly designed semiconductor device, the characteristics of the product (specification information such as specifications and restrictions), the macro configuration (the type of function macro included in the designed semiconductor device), and connection information. Enter. The design support apparatus 10 searches the product information management DB 31 based on the inputted architecture information, and obtains existing architecture information similar to the architecture information of the semiconductor device to be designed.

  The design support apparatus 10 determines the consistency of the product level based on the specification of each function macro, the type of the function macro included in the product type, and the connection information between the function macros and between the function macro and the connection terminal. . That is, the design support apparatus 10 determines how much the architecture information of the new semiconductor device matches the architecture information of the existing semiconductor device obtained by the search.

  The design support apparatus 10 displays the search result according to the determination result. For example, the design support apparatus 10 displays the architecture information of existing semiconductor devices having many matching items in order.

The above processing can be shown as a flowchart shown in FIG.
That is, the design support apparatus 10 inputs macro conditions and chip configuration conditions (step 41), and extracts chip catalog information (chip function information and specification information) that matches the conditions from the product information management DB 31 (step 42). .

  Next, the design support apparatus 10 selects chips (product types) having an architecture similar to the architecture of the semiconductor device to be created from the extracted chip catalog information according to the chip and macro conditions (step 43).

  Next, usable parts (function macros) are selected from the parts (function macros) included in the selected chip (product type) of the architecture (step 44). The selection of parts is performed, for example, based on the number of conditions (items) that match the input conditions (function macro configuration, connection specifications, etc.). Then, the design support apparatus 10 displays the function macro selected as the search result on the display device 14.

The design support apparatus 10 also provides a user interface (GUI) for registering information in the product type information management DB 31.
That is, the design support apparatus 10 displays the registration screen (registration window) 51 shown in FIG. In the registration screen 51, input items such as macro specifications, connection specifications, chip configurations, and restrictions are set. The design support apparatus 10 registers information input to each item in the product information management DB 31.

  Then, the design support apparatus 10 has a function as a search engine for searching for similar architecture information from information registered in the product information management DB 31 based on the above input conditions, and consistency between the search result architecture information and the input conditions. Validate. Then, the design support apparatus 10 displays the work screen 52 for the architecture configuration based on the verification result.

  The design support apparatus 10 displays the search result of the existing macro on the work screen 52. On the work screen 52, the designer selects a function macro to be used from function macros obtained by searching, for example. The design support apparatus 10 creates a chip configuration list on the work screen 52 according to the operation of the designer. In addition, the design support apparatus 10 verifies the configuration list on the work screen 52 by referring to constraint conditions and physical data.

The process at the time of designing the architecture will be described.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the design support apparatus 10 displays a macro search screen (window) 61 on the display device 14. Then, the design support apparatus 10 searches the product information management DB 31 based on the input items (product characteristics, etc.) and displays information obtained by the search on the screen 61. Items to be displayed include, for example, macro specifications, composite macro configurations, connection specifications, actual performance of installed products, and restrictions on use. This allows designers to determine whether there are desired macros, available composite macros, which models have a track record, restrictions on use (connection with other macros), prohibited items, etc. You can refer to

  Next, the design support apparatus 10 displays a work screen 62 (denoted as “chip architecture setting screen”) for setting the chip architecture on the display device 14. In this screen (window) 62, the designer arranges the existing macro obtained by the search in the product type. The design support apparatus 10, for example, allows the designer to select a function macro displayed as a search result (for example, one click on the module name of the function macro displayed on the screen 61). Information is displayed on the work screen 62, function macros are arranged in the configuration diagram of the product type, and a link to physical data is set.

In addition, the designer inputs information on macros (undeveloped macros) that are newly determined to be created, thereby placing the undeveloped macros in the product type.
The design support apparatus 10 detects a contradiction between function macros in the process of configuring the architecture. For example, the composite module 25 shown in FIG. 2B includes a function macro 27b included in the function macro 26a and a function macro 27e included in the function macro 26c. Both function macros 27b and 27e have the same module name and have the same function. In these two function macros 27b and 27e, if the version numbers are different, for example, the restrictions on use are different. Such function macros 27b and 27e may make the operation of the chip unstable. For this reason, the design support apparatus 10 detects a contradiction for each of a plurality of function macros included in the architecture configuration diagram, and displays the detected contradiction (for example, a version number error).

  Then, the design support apparatus 10 registers the architecture configuration diagram in which the function macro is arranged in the database 63. In addition, the design support apparatus 10 registers a derived diversion history including information on diversion / derivation of the function macro in the database 63. The diversion history is information that associates the type or function macro including the function macro arranged in the architecture configuration diagram, that is, the type or function macro of the reference source and the type or function macro of the reference destination. Derivation history includes the function macro that was used as the base for creating the function macro, that is, the original function macro that was referenced (partially diverted), the type that contains the referenced function macro, and the function macro that was created (derived macro). It is information that associates function macros and varieties.

Next, an example of search processing will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, first, the design support apparatus 10 inputs a search condition (step 71). The search conditions are the function macro module name, connection macro, and connection terminal specifications.

  Next, the design support apparatus 10 searches the product type information management DB 31 to search for product types equipped with the corresponding function macro, and creates a product type list 73 (step 72). The design support apparatus 10 searches the product information management DB 31 with a plurality of search conditions using a predetermined search expression (for example, OR).

  Next, the design support apparatus 10 extracts information on the number of mounted units, connection macros, and connection terminals from the specification data of the mounted products, and determines according to information in the reusability determination criterion definition file 75 (step 74). In the definition file 75, a plurality of determination items and determination criteria are set. The determination item is an item for determining whether or not the function macro to be referenced matches the function macro to be created. The item to be determined may be the same as the search item. The determination criterion is a ratio (percentage) or a threshold value of items that match a function macro to be created among a plurality of determination items. For example, the design support apparatus 10 determines that a function macro in which 80% or more items of a plurality of specifications match can be used, and determines that a function macro having a matching item less than 80% cannot be used. . Note that an item that must be matched may be set as a determination criterion. Further, an item that must be matched, a ratio of the number of matching items, and a threshold value may be set.

Next, the design support apparatus 10 displays the function macro determined to be usable as a search result (step 76).
In addition, the design support apparatus 10 extracts the development status of the function macro included in the product type registered in the installed product list 73 from the product information management DB 31 (step 77). The development status includes the development status of the product type and function macro (whether development has been completed or has been installed in the chip), manufacturing status (number of shipments, number of manufacturing), and the like. This development status makes it possible for designers to use stable function macros (types and function macros that have already been installed and have a high shipment record).

Next, an example of search processing based on connection specifications will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8, the design support apparatus 10 first inputs a search condition (step 81). The search conditions are a function macro module name and a connection macro specification.

  Next, the design support apparatus 10 searches the product information management DB 31 and extracts a function macro corresponding to the search condition (hereinafter referred to as target macro) and a function macro to which the target macro is connected (hereinafter referred to as connection macro). Then, the matrix table 83 including the connection result macro is generated (step 82).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the matrix table 83 stores the extracted function macros (target macros and connection macros), and the matching state between the specifications of each function macro and the design specifications. In the figure, a black circle “●” indicates that the function macro satisfies the specifications.

  For example, in FIG. 9, the target macro “F301” obtained by the search satisfies the first spec Spec1, the second spec Spec2, and the fourth spec Spec4 among the required specifications among the plurality of specifications. The target macro “F301” is connected to the connection macro “F201”. The connection macro “F201” satisfies the second specification Spec2, the third specification Spec3, and the fifth specification 5. The target macro “F301” is connected to the connection macro “FS01”, and this macro “FS01” satisfies all of the first spec Spec1 to the fifth spec Spec5. Further, the target macro “F301” is connected to the connection macro “FS07”, and this macro “FS07” does not satisfy all of the first spec Spec1 to the fifth spec Spec5.

  FIG. 9 shows one similar function macro (target macro “F301”). Accordingly, for the function macros extracted from the product type information management DB 31, similarly, a matrix table of target macros, connection macros, and required specifications is created.

  Next, the design support device 10 displays a screen (window) 85 on the display device 14 for displaying information on the connection result macros for target macros and connection macros that satisfy more specifications (step 84). For example, information of the target macro “F301” and the connection macro “FS01” is displayed on the screen 85 with respect to the matrix table 83 shown in FIG.

Next, an example of a configuration diagram creation process will be described.
As shown in FIG. 10, the design support apparatus 10 displays a configuration diagram creation screen (window) 91 and screens (windows) 92 and 93 showing search results on the display device 14. In the configuration diagram creation screen 91, an item column 91a for inputting and displaying a module name, version number, function, status, and restriction items is set. The search result display screen 92 displays function macro (module) information (for example, module name, function, creator, installed product type) obtained by the search. The search result display screen 93 displays function macro information (for example, module name, version number, function, status, restriction) included in the product type obtained by the search.

  The design support apparatus 10 displays information clicked by the input device 13 (for example, a mouse) operated by the designer on the creation screen 91 among the information displayed on the screens 92 and 93. In addition, the design support apparatus 10 displays information directly input by the input device 13 (for example, a keyboard) operated by the designer. As a result, it is possible to set the specifications of function macros that are not displayed in the search results and uncreated function macros. Further, the design support apparatus 10 deletes information instructed (for example, double-clicked or dragged) by the input device 13 (for example, a mouse) operated by the designer.

  The design support apparatus 10 determines a contradiction between function macros (for example, version number contradiction) at an arbitrary timing (for example, when a function module is added to the creation screen 91), and displays the determination result on the screen. 91. For example, the design support device 10 sets the background color of the conflicting function macro version number item field 91a to a color (for example, red) different from the normal color (for example, white) and displays the determination result in the status display field 91b. A character string (for example, “version number is inconsistent”) corresponding to is displayed.

  Further, the design support apparatus 10 executes the circuit mounting server at an arbitrary timing (for example, every predetermined time when an icon (not shown) is clicked). The circuit mounting server mounts the design type. That is, the circuit mounting server archives the function macro specifications / library / physical data linked to the architecture information, expands them in the circuit mounting field, and generates product type data. As a result, the designer can determine whether or not the current architecture satisfies the specification.

  The design support apparatus 10 has an update notification function. The update notification function notifies the creator of the diversion route / derived route type and the function macro when the information of the existing function macro is changed.

  As described above, the function macro registered in the product information management DB 1 and the macro information management DB 32 is diverted to a product (chip) different from the product (chip) including the registered function macro. In addition, a derived macro based on the registered function macro is created.

  In the update notification function, when an existing function macro is modified, the modification of the function macro is notified to the creator of the diversion route / derived route and the function macro including the modified function macro. As described above, the function macro registered in the product information management DB 1 and the macro information management DB 32 is diverted to a product (chip) different from the product (chip) including the registered function macro. In addition, a derived macro based on the registered function macro is created.

The modification of the function macro is performed for the purpose of function revision, defect elimination, and the like. The correction points may be necessary in the function macro diversion source, diversion destination, reference source, derivation destination, and the like. For this reason, when the design support apparatus 10 finds a defect in the function macro in the design of the route of the corrected function macro, for example, the type of the diversion destination, and the defect affects the operation of the type, the function macro is It is modified by the designer of the product type or by the creator of the function macro. Then, the update information due to the correction is registered in a database (macro information management DB 32) that stores information on the function macro. When the found defect does not affect the operation of the product type, the found defect is registered in a database (macro information management DB 32) storing function macro information as constraint information, for example.

The design support apparatus 10 notifies the creator of the function macro or product type related to the function macro of the registered correction information and constraint information.
That is, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the design support apparatus 10 displays the macro information update screen 101 on the display device 14. Then, the design support apparatus 10 searches the derived diversion derivation history of the database 63 using the macro name input on the update screen 101, grasps the diversion route / derivation route type, and creates the type list 103 (step 102). . The type list 103 stores the type of the route, the name of the creator of the function macro, the e-mail address, and the notification content (registered information). Next, the design support apparatus 10 transmits a notification mail based on the created product list 103 (step 104).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The design support apparatus 10 is mounted on a semiconductor integrated circuit to be created from a database in which function macro information included in an existing semiconductor integrated circuit and architecture information including connection information between function macros are managed for each product type. Search for the product type that contains the function macro. Then, the design support apparatus 10 extracts the architecture information of the product type obtained by the search from the database, compares the architecture information of the semiconductor integrated circuit to be created with the architecture information of the extracted product type, and designs the architecture of the semiconductor integrated circuit to be designed The kind of architecture information similar to the information is extracted. The existing semiconductor integrated circuit architecture information includes connection information between function macros. Therefore, it is possible to easily grasp a function macro having a connection record with respect to a function macro mounted on a semiconductor integrated circuit to be created. As a result, the time required to grasp the function macros connected to each other is shorter than that of the conventional method, so that the time required for the design can be reduced.

  (2) The existing semiconductor integrated circuit architecture information includes restrictions on use, precautions, prohibitions, etc. for the function macro. Accordingly, restrictions, precautions, prohibitions, etc. when using the function macro can be easily grasped without checking with the creator of the function macro or the creator of the existing semiconductor integrated circuit. As a result, the time required for design can be reduced. In addition, occurrence of defects in the semiconductor device can be reduced. In addition, the design period can be shortened.

  (3) The design support apparatus 10 searches the derived diversion derivation history of the database 63 based on the registered macro update information, and grasps the type of the function macro derivation route / diversion route. Then, the design support apparatus 10 transmits a notification mail indicating the update of the function macro to the creator of the grasped product type and function macro. In this way, when the function macro is updated, the revision status can be notified to the diversion destination. The notification can make it possible to deal with, for example, restriction of use of the semiconductor device and redesign of the semiconductor device at the diversion destination. Further, by automatically notifying the diversion destination, the trouble of tracking the diversion destination and the trouble of notifying it become unnecessary.

In addition, you may implement the said embodiment in the following aspects.
In the above embodiment, the product type information management DB is stored in the storage device 15 of the design support apparatus 10, but it is sufficient that the design support apparatus 10 is accessible, and an apparatus connected via a network (for example, another design (Supporting device or server device).

  In the above embodiment, the search function, the update notification function, and the like are executed by one design support apparatus 10, but may be embodied in a design support apparatus that executes at least one function. In addition, a plurality of design support devices may each execute one or a plurality of functions.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Design support apparatus 21a-27e Function macro 31 Product information management database 32 Macro information management database 83 Matrix table

Claims (5)

A design support method executed by a design support apparatus that supports creation of an architecture configuration diagram of a semiconductor integrated circuit,
Search the function macro information included in the existing semiconductor integrated circuit and the architecture information including the connection information between function macros for each product type, and search for the product type including the function macro installed in the semiconductor integrated circuit to be created. ,
Extract the architecture information of the varieties obtained by the search from the database,
A design support method for comparing the architecture information of the semiconductor integrated circuit to be created with the extracted architecture information of the product and extracting a type of architecture information similar to the architecture information of the semiconductor integrated circuit to be designed. Search the database based on the specifications of the function macros to be installed in the semiconductor integrated circuit to be created, create a list of types having the function macros installed,
Extracting from the database the information of the connection macro or connection terminal connected to the function macro from the specification data of the type of the list;
The design support method according to claim 1, wherein: Extracted from the database information on the connection macro connected to the function macro included in the product type obtained by the search,
Determining the similarity between the specifications of the semiconductor integrated circuit to be created and the specifications of the function macro and the connection macro, and extracting the function macro and the connection macro according to the determination result;
The design support method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein In the determination of the similarity of the specifications, a matrix table indicating whether or not the function macro and the connection macro correspond to each of the plurality of specifications of the semiconductor integrated circuit is created, and the connection macro having many corresponding specifications Extract,
The design support method according to claim 3. A design support apparatus for supporting creation of an architecture configuration diagram of a semiconductor integrated circuit,
Search the function macro information included in the existing semiconductor integrated circuit and the architecture information including the connection information between function macros for each product type, and search for the product type including the function macro installed in the semiconductor integrated circuit to be created. ,
Extract the architecture information of the varieties obtained by the search from the database,
A design support apparatus that compares the architecture information of the semiconductor integrated circuit to be created with the extracted architecture information of the type and extracts a type of architecture information similar to the architecture information of the semiconductor integrated circuit to be designed.

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