Issues and answers in CAD tool interoperability

CAD tool interoperability issues are a recurring impediment to constructing a design methodology, especially if the methodology incorporates point tools from several vendors. Failures in data transfer between tools often arise unexpectedly, and can delay design work until a workaround is developed. This paper examines interoperability issues for four classes of tools: schematic tools, simulation and synthesis tools, IC physical design tools, and workflow management tools. This paper also describes current research in modeling interoperability problems. Using this paper, the reader can develop a checklist of potential interoperability issues in his CAD environment, and address these issues before they cause a design schedule slip.