Asymmetric Zoom for IC Layout Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of designing and laying out very large-scale integrated circuits, particularly in the routing of top-level interconnections, is hindered by the large disparity in dimensions of conductor lengths and widths, making manual routing cumbersome and error-prone, while automated tools often result in inefficient and irregular wiring patterns.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based system that implements an asymmetric zoom function, allowing users to magnify one dimension of the layout independently of the other, facilitating the efficient editing and routing of top-level interconnections by maintaining visibility of both wire segments and their endpoints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional symmetric zoom is used to view detailed wire segments, then individual conductor features become visible, but the overall wire length and endpoint visibility are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetric zoom by allowing different magnification factors in horizontal and vertical directions. When viewing a conductor segment, the system zooms in horizontally to show detailed wire features while maintaining vertical scale to preserve visibility of wire endpoints and overall length, resolving the contradiction between feature visibility and overall context preservation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetric scaling as an additional degree of freedom in the zoom operation. Instead of uniform scaling in two dimensions, the system independently controls horizontal and vertical magnification, adding dimensional independence to simultaneously preserve both detailed feature visibility and overall structure context
2Manufacturing precision
If manual routing is used for top-level interconnections, then precise control over wire placement is achieved, but the complexity and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical routing operations with an automated computer-based system that implements asymmetric zoom viewing. This substitution allows the system to automatically navigate and place wires with high precision while reducing the time investment required, as the automated system can rapidly switch between detailed and overview perspectives without manual intervention delays
3Productivity
If automated routing tools are used for top-level interconnections, then routing time is reduced, but the resulting wiring patterns become irregular and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously allowing users to view the overall layout context while automated routing is performed. The asymmetric zoom capability provides real-time visual feedback on routing progress and pattern regularity, enabling users to guide automated tools to produce more regular wiring patterns while maintaining high routing speed
Data Source
AI summary
An automated system, and method of operating the same, for assisting the layout of components and the routing of conductors in a layout of an integrated circuit. An asymmetric zoom command is provided, by way of which the user can magnify the current view of a portion of the layout in one dimension while maintaining the original magnification in the orthogonal dimension. The commands can be conveyed by keystrokes, or by a command in combination with a drawn rectangle indicating the extent of the asymmetric zoom magnification. Both asymmetric zoom-in and asymmetric zoom-out are supported.