Graphical method and product to assign physical attributes to entities in a high level descriptive language used for vlsi chip design

Abstract

A layout for an integrated circuit is designed by assigning physical design attributes including locations to a selected subset of placeable objects in the circuit netlist, prior to any physical synthesis. A layout abstract is displayed in a graphical user interface to allow the designer to visually inspect a layout abstract which shows the selected objects at their assigned locations. After making any desired modifications to the object locations, the location information can be formatted as a synthesis input file. Physical synthesis is then carried out while maintaining fixed locations for the selected objects according to the assigned locations. Physical design attributes can include coordinates and an orientation. The selected subset of placeable objects can constitute an identified datapath of the integrated circuit design.