Setting up a retrieval system for design reuse - experiences and acceptance

Within the EU funded Esprit project 8369 “CONSOLE”, Rohde & Schwarz developed a demonstration software version of a retrieval system for design reuse. The system stores the design classifications in a database and is connected to the EDA systems from Zuken-Redac and Viewlogic for access (read or copy) to the schematic and layout design data. This software version is part of the user requirement definition of a “subcircuit browser”, which will be developed as industrial prototype within the “CONSOLE” project by Zuken-Redac. Rohde & Schwarz engineers are using this software since early 1994. This paper covers the following main issues: objectives of the system; R&S definition of reusable designs (subcircuits, functional modules); brief overview on the current system functionality; necessary in house rules for reusable designs; definition of families for design classification (i.e. power units, amplifiers); introduction of “reusability” in the current design flow; and work practice and acceptance experiences