JPH02105975A - Electronic circuit data editing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily grasp a signal path by displaying an electronic circuit to be edited in both a circuit diagram and a block diagram. CONSTITUTION:Circuit diagram 2 contains constituent element data of the electric circuit and connection data among constituent elements. Block diagram data 3 contains an input and an output signal when the respective constituent elements are put in function blocks and information accompanying the input and output signals. A processor 7 edits or retrieves data in a data base according to a command inputted from a command input device 5 and displays the result on a display device 6. Consequently, even when a design engineer is not skilled, the engineer easily understands the signal path in the electronic circuit diagram according to the block diagram.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an apparatus for editing circuit data for electronic circuit design.

(Prior Art) In order to efficiently design large-scale electronic circuits, it is essential to input circuit data into a computer and use a design support system such as a simulator.

That is, circuit data created according to a predetermined format is applied to a design support system to simulate circuit operation, and using the results as a reference, the circuit data is applied to a predetermined data editing device to modify element constants, etc., and this process is repeated. By doing so, we can complete the optimal circuit data.

Conventionally, in this type of electronic circuit data editing device, input circuit data is converted into a circuit image and displayed on a CRT display device, etc., and the operator uses a keyboard, etc. while viewing the displayed circuit diagram. The circuit data can then be edited.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in such conventional electronic circuit data editing devices, circuit data is edited while viewing an element-level circuit diagram displayed on a CRT screen. Especially when applied to analog electronic circuits, etc., there is a problem in that editing work is time-consuming unless a skilled designer is familiar with how to read circuit diagrams.

In other words, in a digital electronic circuit, all the terminals extending from each element are input or output terminals, and analyzing the signal flow is not a very difficult task even for a non-skilled designer, whereas in an analog electronic circuit, In the case of transistors for example.

As is clear from the case of resistors, the terminals extending from each element are not uniquely defined as input/output terminals, and as a result, only experienced designers are able to immediately understand the signal flow. Even if the operation of each part could be estimated, there was a problem in that it was difficult to make use of this information in editing work.

Furthermore, the electronic circuit data completed by the conventional electronic circuit data editing device mainly consists of component data of the electronic circuit and connection data between each component, and information about the signal flow path is not included. Since no information was included, there was a problem in that if the design support system were to perform detailed motion analysis, the burden on the software on the support system would become even greater.

This invention was made in view of the above problems,
Electronic circuit data that allows even non-skilled design engineers to easily edit circuit diagram data, and also reduces the software burden when performing simulations on the design support system side. The purpose is to provide an editing device.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problem) In order to achieve the above object, the first invention of this application provides a circuit including component data of an electronic circuit and connection data between each component. a storage means storing a database including at least diagram data; block diagram data including input/output signals and information accompanying the input/output signals when each of the components is formed into functional blocks; and a display target. an input means for performing various input operations such as specifying the electronic circuit to be displayed; a display means capable of displaying the electronic circuit to be displayed as both a circuit diagram and a 70-sket diagram; and a display means for performing various input operations such as specifying the electronic circuit to be displayed; The present invention is characterized by comprising: processing means for performing processing for displaying the electronic circuit on the display means in a specified manner.

In addition, in a second invention of this application, in order to achieve the above object, the database includes information on external terminals of components included in the circuit diagram data and input/output signals included in the block diagram data. Correspondence data representing correspondence is included, and the input means is configured to be capable of inputting a command corresponding to an editing request for the circuit diagram or block diagram, and the processing means is further configured to perform processing according to the input command. The present invention is characterized by performing a process of editing or searching data in the database and displaying the results on the display means.

(Operation) According to the first invention, an electronic circuit to be edited can be displayed as both a circuit diagram and a block diagram. The signal paths in the electronic circuit diagram can be easily understood.

Further, according to the second invention of this application, it is possible to search for a circuit diagram based on a block diagram, or conversely, to search for a block diagram based on a circuit diagram, which enables efficient editing work. You will have the ability to act.

Furthermore, No. 1 of this application. According to the second invention, since a database including at least circuit diagram data and block diagram data is completed, when this is applied to the development support system to perform simulations, etc., the software burden on the development support system side is reduced.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an embodiment of an electronic circuit data editing device according to the present invention.

In the figure, database 1 is a storage VA@
This database contains circuit diagram data 2. Block diagram data 3 and corresponding data 4 are included.

The circuit diagram data 2 includes component data of an electronic circuit and connection data between each component.

The block diagram data 3 includes input/output signals and information accompanying the input/output signals when each of the above-mentioned components is formed into functional blocks.

The correspondence data 4 is data representing the correspondence between the external terminals included in the circuit diagram data 2 and the input/output signals included in the block diagram data 3.

The command input device 5 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and is capable of inputting a command corresponding to an editing request for the circuit diagram or block diagram.

The display device 6 is composed of a CRT or the like, and is capable of displaying a circuit diagram, a block diagram, or both.

The processing device 7 is configured to edit or search data in the database 1 in response to commands input from the command input device 5, and display the results on the display device 6.

Next, the operation of the circuit diagram data editing device having the above configuration will be schematically explained.

Edit commands for the circuit diagram and/or block diagram inputted into the command input device 5 such as a keyboard or mouse are transmitted to the processing device 7.

The processing device 7 is configured to execute various types of processing depending on the contents of the given editing command.

For example, if the content of the process to be executed includes operations on the circuit diagram data 2 and block diagram data 3 of the electronic circuit stored in the database 1, the database 1 is accessed and edited.

In addition, if the processing content includes display operations, CR
Appropriate display is performed on the display device 6 such as T.

The circuit diagram data 2 and block diagram data 3 stored in the database 1 include circuit diagram data 2, which is information on the external terminals of the component, and block diagram data 3, which is information about the input/output signals of the block corresponding to the component. It is related by information.

Therefore, not only can blocks corresponding to circuit components be known, but also input/output signals related to the external terminals of the components can be investigated.

Conversely, it is also possible to check the external terminals of related components from the input/output signals of the block.

This makes it possible to connect elements, subcircuits, etc. not only by simply connecting terminals with wires, but also to determine whether connections between terminals are appropriate from the viewpoint of signal transmission.

It is also possible to check for inconsistencies with the circuit diagram in the connection of signals between blocks, and the block data also includes information associated with input/output signals, such as current,
Signal medium or input such as voltage.

Since it includes information on the direction of output, etc., it is possible to check connections between data blocks.

The display device 6 can display a circuit diagram, a block diagram, or both. By displaying both the circuit diagram and the block diagram in displaying the processing result of the editing command, the display device 6 can display the edited part of the circuit diagram data 2 and the block diagram. The edited parts of the block diagram data 3 can be displayed on the corresponding display sections, making it possible to compare the two, and I! It is easy to understand the influence between the circuit diagram and the block diagram based on the collected results, and this function is also effective for third parties to understand the circuit.

Next, the operation of the apparatus of this embodiment will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings from FIG. 2 onwards.

FIG. 2 shows an example of an analog electronic circuit to be edited (circuit diagram), and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the same circuit in functional blocks.

Also, Figures 4(a) to 4(C) are similar to Figures 2 and 3.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the database 1 corresponding to the circuit diagram and block diagram shown in the figure.

In FIGS. 4(a) to 4(C), NPNI.

The descriptions starting with NPN2 are descriptions about NPN transistors, the descriptions after tnterrace indicate structure information (circuit diagram information), and after port <B
, C, and E indicate external terminal names.

Further, the signa1 portion after the external terminal name is a description for providing correspondence with signals related to the external terminal.

Further, the description below block is a description corresponding to a block diagram, and following signal, <81.82, etc. indicate the signal name.

Also, the old rection after the signal name indicates the direction of the signal (input or output), carrier indicates the signal medium (current or voltage), and port indicates the relationship with the external terminal of the circuit diagram information. , and the carrier has a current (c
current), the terminal through which the current flows and its direction (+ for the flowing direction, - for the opposite direction) are shown bare, and c
If arrier is voltage, +
The terminal and one terminal are shown bare.

RES1 and RES2 are descriptions regarding resistance, and the description method is the same as that for NPN transistors, and ■
CC is a description for a voltage source.

The description starting with CKT is the circuit data of Figures 2 and 3, and the description after net is the connection data of the circuit diagram (Figure 2), and the same potential nets are grouped into one list.C
A net name (net i, etc.) is given.

The description below blocknet is the connection data of the signals in the block diagram (FIG. 3), and the connected signals are grouped into one list and given a signal name (SIA 1, etc.).

The description below module indicates what components are used in the circuit. For example, the element Ql refers to NPNl.

Therefore, this data structure includes data on the components of the electronic circuit, connection data between the components, block data including input/output signals corresponding to the components and information accompanying those signals, connection data between blocks, and Contains data representing the correspondence between external terminals and input/output signals.

By having such a data structure, the following editing functions can be realized.

FIG. 5 is an example of a display shown on the display device 6 when the "element/block correspondence function parameter" is executed.

As shown in the figure, a circuit diagram and a block diagram are displayed simultaneously on the screen of the display section f16, and elements (in the block diagram) are displayed on one diagram (the circuit diagram in the case of Figure 5). The process of reading the position of the specified element (block) and the corresponding block (element) from the data and clearly indicating it on the diagram by specifying the element (block) and inputting the editing command of the "element/block correspondence function". For example, a change in color) is performed.

FIG. 6 is an example of a display shown on the display device when the "element/block erase function" is executed.

As shown in the figure, a circuit diagram and a block diagram are displayed on the screen of the display device 6, and elements (blocks in the block diagram) are specified on one diagram (the circuit diagram in Figure 6). Then, by inputting the editing command of "Element/Block Erase Function", the specified element (
The data of the block (block) and the data of the corresponding block (element) are erased, and the display of the element and block is erased from the display device 6.

FIG. 7 is an example of a display shown on the display device when the input check function is executed.

Note that this figure shows a state in which the circuit diagram has already been input and the block diagram is being edited.

Here, when trying to connect the ■ and ■ ends, the terminal corresponding to the output signal of Q (■) and the terminal corresponding to the output signal of R2 (■) are the data of the component referenced from the circuit data. The direction of the signal can be checked at the same time.
n) and the carrier are also checked, and it is checked whether the signal medium matches, whether the output signals are connected to each other, and whether the terminals corresponding to the signals to be connected are connected on the circuit diagram. ” etc. are checked.

In the case of FIG. 7, an error message is output because the terminal corresponding to the signal to be connected is not connected on the circuit diagram.

This input check function can be used even if the block diagram is only
``Signal medium mismatch J'' You can perform ``Connection of output signals to each other,'' and if a block diagram has already been input and you are editing the circuit diagram using ``Inconsistency of the terminal connection is You can also check whether there are any conflicts with the connections.

According to the above embodiment device, it is possible to edit circuit data that associates both a circuit diagram representing the circuit structure and a block diagram representing circuit operation information, so that signals that cannot be detected by editing only the circuit diagram can be edited. Check for abnormalities in the transmission path and use of different signal media (current, etc.).

It is possible to check the connections (voltage) and obtain a consistent pair of circuit diagrams and block diagrams.

Furthermore, since circuit errors are checked at the same time as editing, circuit data can be edited quickly and accurately.

Furthermore, simultaneous display of the circuit diagram and block diagram makes it possible to understand the command execution results from two aspects: circuit structure and circuit operation, making it easier for third parties to understand circuit functions. be able to.

On the other hand, edited 1 = circuit data contains more information than the circuit diagram only, so if this data is used by a third party, the information will be processed by applying rules to the circuit diagram only. This is the basic data for a design support system that can retrieve information more reliably and quickly than by extraction.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, according to the first invention of this application, an electronic circuit to be edited can be displayed in both a circuit diagram and a block diagram. Even if you are not a design engineer, you can easily understand the signal path of an analog electronic circuit based on the block diagram.

Further, according to the second invention of this application, it is possible to search for a circuit diagram based on a block diagram, or conversely, to search for a block diagram based on a circuit diagram, thereby improving editing efficiency. .

Further, according to the first and second inventions of this application, it is possible to complete circuit data suitable for increasing functionality and reliability in a design support system.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic circuit data editing device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of an analog electronic circuit to be edited, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of an analog electronic circuit to be edited. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the database structure; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display screen when the "element/block correspondence function" is executed. , FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen when the "element/block erase function" is executed,
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen when the "input check function" is executed. 1... Database 2... Circuit diagram data 3.
...Block diagram data 4...Corresponding data 5...Command input device 6...Display device 7...Processing device

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Circuit diagram data including component data of an electronic circuit and connection data between each component, and input/output signals and information accompanying the input/output signals when each of the components is made into a functional block. a storage means for storing block diagram data including block diagram data; and a database including at least; input means for performing various input operations such as specifying an electronic circuit to be displayed; A display means capable of displaying both a block diagram and a block diagram, and a processing means for performing processing for displaying the electronic circuit specified by the input means on the display means in the specified manner. Electronic circuit data editing device. (2) The database includes correspondence data representing a correspondence between external terminals of components included in the circuit diagram data and input/output signals included in the block diagram data, and the input means includes: It is possible to input a command corresponding to an editing request for the circuit diagram or block diagram, and the processing means edits or searches data in the database according to the input command, and displays the result on the display means. The electronic circuit data editing device according to claim 1, further comprising performing a process of displaying the electronic circuit data.