Any-Angle Routing for Free Form Contour Data Pads
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Solution Overview
Problem
The interconnection of semiconductors to free form devices, such as curved or non-rectangular displays, results in inefficient routing that consumes excess resources and increases manufacturing costs due to the lack of advanced routing tools capable of handling non-traditional device shapes.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves detecting contours of data pads, clustering integrated circuit pads and data pads, performing any-angle routing based on contour angles, and refining interconnections to balance resistance, allowing for efficient routing along free form contours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional routing tools are used for free form devices, then routing can be performed with standard methods, but routing efficiency is poor and space consumption is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by allowing routing paths to follow curved contours instead of being constrained to straight lines and right-angle turns. The router detects contour angles and generates segmented paths that curve along the free form device boundaries, reducing the bounding box area required for routing while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through controlled segment angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing system dynamically adapts to the free form contour by detecting contour angles and adjusting routing path segments in real-time. The router evaluates multiple possible paths and selects optimal segments based on the local contour geometry, enabling flexible adaptation to varying device shapes rather than using fixed routing patterns.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional routing methods are used, then implementation is simple with standard tools, but resource usage increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The routing path is divided into multiple segments, each aligned with the local contour angle. This segmentation allows the router to follow complex free form boundaries while maintaining manageable path complexity. Each segment can be independently optimized and manufactured, preserving ease of manufacture through standardized segment construction while reducing overall material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing system changes geometric parameters by allowing variable segment angles that match the contour rather than being fixed at 90 or 45 degrees. This parameter flexibility enables tighter routing along curved boundaries, reducing the total length of interconnection paths and consequently decreasing the quantity of substrate material and metal layers required.
3Area of stationary object
If free form contour routing is implemented, then space efficiency improves, but routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The router performs preliminary detection of contour angles and pre-calculates optimal segment paths before finalizing the routing design. This preliminary action simplifies the overall process by establishing the geometric framework in advance, allowing subsequent routing steps to follow predetermined paths rather than requiring complex real-time calculations during manufacturing preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces contour angle detection as an intermediary step between the free form device geometry and the routing path generation. This intermediary analysis translates complex curved boundaries into a series of manageable angle measurements, which then guide the creation of segmented routing paths, simplifying the overall routing complexity while achieving space efficiency.
4Productivity
If standard routing angles are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but routing paths are inefficient and consume more space
Solution Approach 1:
The routing paths are designed with curved segments that match the free form device contours rather than using only straight lines and right-angle turns. This curvature enables more efficient use of available space, reducing the bounding box area required for routing while the segmented construction maintains manufacturing simplicity through controlled segment angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing system changes the angle parameter from fixed standard values (90°, 45°) to variable angles that match the local contour. This parameter change improves path efficiency by allowing routes to follow the natural geometry of the device, reducing total path length and space consumption while segments remain manufacturable through standardized construction methods.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is described for a method, system, and product for detection of contours for data pads of a device having a free form contour, clustering integrated circuit pads and data pads, performing any angle routing based on a contour angle, and performing resistance balancing. For example, data pads of a display device having one or more curved contours (e.g. data pads arranged on an arc) are identified. Corresponding data pads and integrated circuit pads are then grouped together for routing interconnections and subsequently routed using any angle routing instead of merely routing interconnections with turns having 90-degree or 45-degree angles. Finally, the routed interconnects may be further refined/modified to balance resistances of the interconnections.