Patent ID: 8413092
Filing Date: 2013-04-02
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A circuit design supporting apparatus comprising: an observation portion specifying section configured to specify a first portion of an integrated circuit as an observation portion, the first portion determined as having an effect on an easiness of a failure analysis of the integrated circuit; and an element substitution performing section configured to substitute an element arranged in said observation portion with an analysis target element so that a result of the failure analysis by a failure analysis apparatus is improved as based on data derived from said observation portion with said analysis target element, wherein said element substitution performing section comprises: an element substituting section configured to update said netlist to form a new netlist, wherein said delay calculating section calculates a delay change, when substituting said element arranged in said observation portion with said analysis target element, wherein said substitution element determining section is further configured to generate an instruction to said element substituting section to substitute said substitution candidate element with said analysis target element, if said delay change when said substitution candidate element is substituted with said analysis target element is within a preset timing margin, and wherein said element substituting section substitutes said substitution candidate element with said analysis target element so as to form said new netlist, in response to said instruction from said substitution element determining section.