Incremental logic synthesis system for efficient revision of logic circuit designs

摘要

An apparatus and method for incremental logic synthesis that transforms a revised technology-independent electronic digital circuit design into a revised technology-dependent design deviating as little as possible from the original technology-dependent design. The incremental synthesis procedure includes a forward sweep technique where nodes in the revised technology-independent model and the original technology-dependent design are compared to see if they map the same logical function of the inputs common to both designs. A backward sweep technique compares nodes in the revised technology-independent model to the unrevised technology-dependent design to see which outputs common to both map the same logical node functions. Portions of the revised technology-independent model with the same logical function as corresponding parts of the unchanged technology-dependent design are progressively eliminated, reducing the revised technology-independent design to an "increment" that is then conventionally synthesized and merged with the unchanged technology-dependent design to yield the revised technology-dependent design having only the minimal necessary revisions.