Patent ID: 7117473
Filing Date: 2006-10-03
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method to create a complete and correct physical hierarchy of physical blocks (pblocks) from a logical netlist and to automatically maintain the same connectivity as is defined in a logical netlist in said physical hierarchy of pblocks, comprising the steps: A) reading into a floor planning tool a logical netlist defining a logical hierarchy of logical blocks each of which contains one or more circuits, hereafter referred to as instances; B) creating a data structure comprised of multiple data objects which represents a physical hierarchy of physical blocks (pblocks) from said netlist hierarchy of logical blocks with the pblocks of said physical hierarchy having assigned thereto all instances from said logical netlist, said data structure being structured using pointers to said instances on said logical netlist and not have any restrictions such that any instance from said logical hierarchy can be assigned to any pblock and said data structure representing said physical hierarchy not having any restrictions that would prevent child instances of a parent instance from being moved to different pblocks than a pblock to which said parent instance is assigned.