Flip-Flop Layout Using Overlapping Gates to Cut M0 Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of integrated circuits poses challenges in design and manufacturing, particularly in optimizing standard cell layout designs to reduce metal-0 (M0) usage while maximizing routing flexibility and resources.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a flip-flop circuit design with overlapping gate structures at the POLY level, which routes clock signals across multiple active regions, thereby reducing M0 usage and increasing routing resources by maximizing vertical routing resource alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If standard cell layout design is miniaturized, then device functionality and speed are improved, but M0 usage increases and routing flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vertical routing resources at the POLY level to route clock signals, transitioning from horizontal M0 routing to vertical POLY routing. This dimensional change allows clock signals to be routed across multiple active regions without increasing M0 usage, thereby maintaining routing flexibility while supporting miniaturized device functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate structures at the POLY level are designed to serve multiple functions: they act as both transistor gates and vertical routing conduits for clock signals. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated routing structures, reducing overall M0 usage while maintaining routing flexibility in miniaturized layouts.
Data Source
AI summary
A flip-flop includes a first, second, third and a fourth active region extending in a first direction, and being on a first level of a substrate. The first active region corresponds to a first set of transistors of a first type. The second active region corresponds to a second set of transistors of a second type different from the first type. The third active region corresponds to a third set of transistors of the second type. The fourth active region corresponds to a fourth set of transistors of the first type. The flip-flop further includes a first gate structure extending in the second direction, overlapping at least the second active region and the third active region, and being on a second level different from the first level. The first gate structure is configured to receive a first clock signal.