Circuit Layout Optimization via Simulated Electrical Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for designing integrated circuits often result in wasted space due to assumptions about voltage or current values in circuit schematics, which do not accurately reflect actual operating conditions, and lack a method to update physical layout requirements when these values change.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that simulate electrical parameters for integrated circuits, using these simulated parameters to enforce physical design rules and optimize circuit layouts by back-annotating the circuit schematic with actual voltage or current values, ensuring accurate spacing and metal layer requirements based on real operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If maximum voltage values are assumed for nets in circuit schematic, then spacing requirements can be determined, but unnecessary space is wasted in circuit layout
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs circuit simulation before final layout generation to obtain accurate voltage values for each net. This preliminary simulation step provides precise electrical parameter data that enables optimized spacing requirements, avoiding the waste of assuming maximum voltage values and thereby reducing unnecessary space in the circuit layout.
2Manufacturing precision
If circuit schematic is simulated to obtain accurate electrical parameters, then design rules can be optimized, but additional simulation steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates circuit simulation functionality into the existing electronic design automation flow, allowing the same simulation engine to serve both circuit verification and physical design rule optimization. This multi-functional approach enables accurate electrical parameter extraction without requiring separate dedicated simulation processes, thereby managing design process complexity while achieving precise design rules.
3Adaptability or versatility
If changes are made to circuit schematic, then circuit functionality can be updated, but physical layout requirements cannot be readily updated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where circuit schematic changes automatically trigger re-simulation to update electrical parameters, which then feed back into the physical design rule engine. This automated feedback mechanism ensures that when circuit functionality is updated through schematic modifications, the physical layout requirements are readily and accurately updated without manual intervention, maintaining adaptability while improving layout update efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for enforcing design rules in a circuit layout may include providing a circuit schematic for an integrated circuit to a circuit simulator, wherein the circuit layout is derived from a circuit schematic, using the circuit simulator to simulate the circuit schematic and generate simulated electrical parameters for the integrated circuit, and using the simulated electrical parameters to enforce physical design rules when generating the circuit layout based on the simulated electrical parameters.