Analog Component Placement and Routing via Pre-routed Trunks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional circuit design tools face increased complexity and error-proneness due to high current densities and sensitivity to minor design details in advanced node circuit designs, leading to numerous and unpredictable iteration cycles, which are time-consuming and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method for placing and routing devices in a circuit layout that includes determining device positions, routing channels, forming routing trunks, and checking for compliance with specifications, breaking down the process into smaller sub-units to reduce iteration cycles and improve predictability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional iteration cycles are used for circuit design compliance, then design specifications can be met, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone due to increased complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign compliance accuracyVSAvoiditeration cycle duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary routing of channels along pre-routing locations before final device placement. This preliminary action establishes routing trunks that guide subsequent placement decisions, reducing the need for iterative adjustments and decreasing overall iteration cycle time while maintaining design compliance accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the circuit design process into distinct phases: channel routing along pre-routing locations, routing trunk determination, and device placement based on routing trunk information. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, reducing complexity and time consumption in each iteration while maintaining overall design reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of devices and components is increased while their size is reduced, then circuit functionality is enhanced, but current densities increase creating deleterious effects that are difficult to predict

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit functionalityVSAvoidcurrent density prediction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where routing trunk information derived from pre-routing channels is used to guide device placement decisions. This feedback loop allows the system to predict and adjust for current density effects based on the established routing structure, improving prediction accuracy in high-density circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If traditional design tools are used with increased device density, then more complex circuits can be designed, but the tools become more sensitive to minor details requiring constant user attention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit layout complexityVSAvoiduser intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service automation where the system automatically determines routing trunks from pre-routing channels and uses this information to automatically place devices in optimal positions. This self-service capability reduces the need for constant user intervention and manual adjustments, making complex circuit design more manageable despite increased device density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9990461B1Method and apparatus for placement and routing of analog components

Publication Date: 2018.06.05 CADENCE DESIGN SYST INC

AI summary

A method for placing and routing devices in a circuit layout is provided. The method includes determining devices to be placed in a circuit layout and a relative position of two devices in the circuit layout. In some embodiments, the method includes pre-routing channels in the circuit layout, determining routing trunk information from the pre-routed channels, and placing the two devices in the circuit layout based on the routing trunk information. Further, the method includes forming a first routing trunk along channels in the circuit layout, coupling the first routing trunk to one device of the two devices, and checking that a placement of a plurality of devices and the coupling the first routing trunk to one device of the plurality of devices meet a circuit layout specification. A computer system and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing commands to execute the above method are also provided.