Patent ID: 6615164
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for representing one or more characteristics of an integrated circuit device, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:receiving integrated circuit device characterization data that indicates one or more characteristics of the integrated circuit device; determining a polynomial equation representation of the integrated circuit device characterization data using a least squares algorithm; determining whether the polynomial equation representation satisfies a specified accuracy criteria; determining whether a next higher order polynomial equation representation exceeds a maximum allowable order, when the polynomial equation representation does not satisfy the specified accuracy criteria; and determining a piecewise polynomial equation representation based upon the integrated circuit device characterization data, that satisfies the specified accuracy criteria, when the maximum allowable order is exceeded, wherein the step of determining a piecewise polynomial equation representation comprises; determining rates of change of data values contained in the integrated circuit device characterization data; logically partitioning the integrated circuit device characterization data into two or more portions based upon the determined rates of change of data values; determining, for each of the two or more portions, a separate polynomial equation representation of the integrated circuit characterization data contained in the respective portion, wherein each of the separate polynomial equations representations satisfies the accuracy criteria; and determining the piecewise polynomial equation representation based upon the determined separate polynomial equation representations.