EDA Instance Snapping for Complex Color-Based Track Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current EDA tools are inadequate in ensuring correct placement of integrated circuit elements in complex track systems with non-uniform width spacing patterns and multiple patterning processes, as they only check a single track or shape without considering the constraints of other shapes in the instance, leading to alignment and color-based snapping issues.
Innovation Solution
The methodology involves creating geometric representations of tracks to identify matching tracks and snapping instances to a set of tracks with irregular spacing and non-uniform widths, ensuring all pins and shapes result in valid locations by prioritizing the placement of the widest shape first and adjusting the entire instance to minimize color and width violations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If current EDA tools check only a single track or shape in an instance against constraints, then the checking process is simple and fast, but the placement accuracy is insufficient because other shapes in the instance are not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The instance is segmented into multiple shapes, each with its own color assignment. The checking process is divided into shape-specific constraint checks, where each shape is evaluated against the track system independently while considering its color, ensuring comprehensive placement accuracy without overwhelming complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The track system is preprocessed to identify all valid track locations and their associated colors before instance placement. This preliminary action enables the EDA tool to quickly reference valid positions during placement, improving accuracy without requiring complex real-time calculations that would increase device complexity
2Reliability
If instances are placed without considering color-based constraints in multiple patterning processes, then the placement process is faster and simpler, but the manufacturing reliability deteriorates due to alignment errors
Solution Approach 1:
Each shape within an instance is assigned a specific color that determines its compatibility with certain tracks. This local quality approach ensures that each shape meets the specific color-based constraints of the multiple patterning process, improving manufacturing reliability without requiring redundant global checks that would waste time
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by checking whether the color of each shape matches the color of its corresponding track. This feedback mechanism ensures alignment correctness in multiple patterning processes while maintaining efficient placement time through targeted, color-specific validation rather than exhaustive checking
3Productivity
If geometric representations of tracks are created to assist in quick identification of matching tracks, then the track matching efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A simplified geometric representation (copy) of the track system is created that captures only the essential features needed for matching - namely, track locations and colors. This copy enables rapid comparison with instance shapes during placement, improving track matching efficiency without requiring the full complexity of the original track system definition
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments according to the present disclosure relate to physically implementing an integrated circuit design while conforming to the requirements of complex color based track systems. In embodiments, the color based track systems can include irregularly spaced and non-uniform width colored tracks. These and other embodiments include a methodology to snap instances to a set of such tracks such that all pins/shapes in the instance result in valid locations. In some embodiments, the methodology further includes creating a geometric representation of the tracks to assist in the quick identification of matching tracks.