Automated Standard Cell Layout Generation for Semiconductor Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The manual design of standard cell libraries for semiconductor technology nodes is time-consuming, complex, and costly, especially as nodes shrink, making it inefficient for achieving optimal scaling, power, performance, and cost, particularly with the increasing complexity of non-planar transistors and 3D integration.
Innovation Solution
An automated method for generating standard cell layouts that pairs transistor devices based on shared features, groups them into clusters, and optimizes their arrangement for electrical isolation or connections, using a computing device to create a physical layout that can be integrated into a standard cell library, reducing the time and effort required for design and optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual design methods are used for standard cell libraries, then design flexibility and control are maintained, but the design process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated standard cell library design where the computational system performs pairing, clustering, and layout generation without human intervention. The algorithm automatically processes transistor devices, groups them by complementary features, and generates optimized physical layouts, making the design process self-executing rather than manually controlled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical design processes with automated computational algorithms. Instead of human designers manually arranging and optimizing standard cells, a computer-based system uses automated pairing and clustering algorithms to generate layouts, substituting human mechanical work with computational processing.
2Loss of time
If automated design methods are implemented, then design time is reduced, but the complexity of the design system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated design process is segmented into distinct modular stages: receiving circuit data, pairing devices by complementary features, grouping paired devices into clusters based on common features, arranging clusters to optimize electrical connections, and generating physical layouts. This segmentation makes the complex automated system manageable and systematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically optimizes multiple design parameters simultaneously including device pairing based on complementary operational characteristics, cluster arrangement for electrical isolation optimization, and layout generation. By changing and optimizing these parameters automatically, the system reduces design time while managing complexity through systematic parameter control.
3Manufacturing precision
If devices are paired and clustered based on common features, then layout optimization is improved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary pairing of transistor devices based on complementary features before clustering, and preliminarily groups devices into clusters based on common features before final layout arrangement. This preliminary organization simplifies the subsequent layout optimization process and improves manufacturing precision through systematic pre-processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The pairing and clustering algorithms serve multiple functions: they organize devices for electrical isolation optimization, prepare data for layout generation, and enable systematic arrangement of standard cells. This multi-functionality improves layout optimization while managing processing complexity through unified algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a method includes: receiving data representative of an electrical circuit including an arrangement of devices, inputs, outputs, and power sources; pairing the devices based on a complimentary feature shared between the devices, the complimentary feature being associated to an operational characteristic of the devices; grouping the paired devices into device clusters based on common features shared between two or more of the paired devices; arranging the device clusters based on locations of input, outputs, or power connections of the device clusters to optimize electrical isolation or electrical connections between the device clusters; and generating discrete portions of the arranged device clusters to form a physical layout representative of a physical manifestation of the electrical circuit, such that when the discrete portions are integrated together they form a physical manifestation of the electrical circuit.