Richard J Wiley

US Patent:

6405351, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Jun 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/603708

Inventors:

Donald E. Steiss - Richardson TX
Anthony M. Hill - Dallas TX
Richard P. Wiley - Lucas TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G06F 1750

US Classification:

716 5, 716 12

Abstract:

A computer system ( ). The computer system comprises processing circuitry ( ) and storage circuitry ( ) for storing a plurality of files. The plurality of files include a circuit description file ( ) comprising data describing devices and signals in a circuit. The plurality of files also include a plurality of list expressions ( ) relating to one of devices, signals, or devices and signals described by the data in the circuit description. Still further, the plurality of files also include a plurality of rules ( ). The processing circuitry is programmed to perform various steps. These steps include processing ( ) the plurality of list expressions to extract a plurality of lists in response to the circuit description. Each of the plurality of lists comprises a non-negative integer number of elements. The programmed steps further include processing ( ) the plurality of rules to evaluate one or more of the plurality of lists to verify connection accuracy within the circuit in response to the non-negative integer number of elements.