Patent ID: 6014505
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for computer aided optimization of a total cost of an electronic circuit, the total cost being a function of a primary cost and least one secondary cost, the primary and secondary costs being a function of circuit parameters, the method comprising:selecting an initial vertice, the vertice being defined by specific values of the circuit parameters;selecting a plurality of additional vertices required to define a region, each additional vertice being defined by a different set of circuit parameter values;simulating the circuit to determine the primary costs and the secondary costs associated with each vertice;applying a weighting function to the secondary costs which adjusts the secondary costs relative to the deviation of the secondary costs from a predetermined secondary cost target;aggregating the primary costs and the secondary costs to determine individual total costs associated with the vertices in the region;performing at least one iteration comprising:a) comparing the individual total costs associated with the vertices in the region with one another to determine a worst cost;b) determining a centroid defined by the vertices, excluding the vertice associated with the worst cost;c) determining a new vertice, the new vertice being located on a line defined by the vertice associated with the worst cost and the centroid, the new vertice being located at a distance away from the centroid, the distance being proportional to a distance factor;d) simulating the new vertice to determine a primary and a secondary cost associated with the new vertice;e) applying the weighting function to the new secondary cost to adjust the new secondary cost relative to the deviation of the new secondary cost from the predetermined secondary cost target;f) aggregating the new primary cost and the new secondary cost to determine a new total cost associated with the new vertice;g) comparing the new total cost associated with the new vertice with the worst cost;h) adjusting the distance factor and repeating steps c through g, if the total cost associated with the new vertice is not improved relative to the worst cost;i) comparing the total cost associated with the new vertice to termination criteria, if the total cost associated with the new vertice is improved relative to the worst cost.