Simplified buffer manipulation using standard repowering function
US5799170A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F30/327
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A simple system and method is disclosed that provides for the identification and removal of unnecessary buffers in a logic circuit. A special pseudo-buffer is added to the library and identified as a buffer cell with zero area. In addition, a feedthrough delay rule is associated with the pseudo-buffer such that it is treated by a timing system as a wire with no delay through which all electrical properties pass. An existing repowering function will then consider the pseudo-buffer as a replacement choice when attempting to select an optimal power level. If the pseudo buffer is chosen, it can be easily removed from the circuit at some time thereafter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.