Hybrid Cell Height Layout for DRC-Safe Semiconductor Arrays

Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing cell height differences in integrated circuits complicate the arrangement of cells, leading to layout challenges and potential design rule check violations.

Innovation Solution

A cell array design with hybrid cell heights, where cells of different heights are arranged in columns, with taller cells coupled to shorter cells to maintain alignment and functionality, and filler cells are inserted to avoid gaps, ensuring no empty spaces and adhering to design constraints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cells with different heights are arranged in the cell array, then the functionality and signal processing capability are improved, but the arrangement complexity increases and design rule check violations occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidarrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cell array is segmented into multiple columns, each dedicated to a specific cell height type. First cells with first height are arranged in a first column, second cells with second height are arranged in a second column, and third cells with third height are arranged in a third column. This segmentation eliminates arrangement complexity by assigning each cell type to its own column space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-column arrangement to a multi-column arrangement, utilizing the column dimension to differentiate cell height types. By arranging cells of different heights in different columns rather than mixing them in a single column, the patent resolves the arrangement complexity issue while maintaining functional versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If cells with different heights are arranged in the cell array, then the signal processing capability is improved, but design rule check violations occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing capabilityVSAvoiddesign rule compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cell array is segmented into multiple columns, each dedicated to a specific cell height type. First cells with first height are arranged in a first column, second cells with second height are arranged in a second column, and third cells with third height are arranged in a third column. This segmentation eliminates arrangement complexity by assigning each cell type to its own column space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-column arrangement to a multi-column arrangement, utilizing the column dimension to differentiate cell height types. By arranging cells of different heights in different columns rather than mixing them in a single column, the patent resolves the arrangement complexity issue while maintaining functional versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12622316B2Semiconductor structure of cell array formed by cells with hybrid cell heights

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 MEDIATEK INC

AI summary

Semiconductor structures are provided. A semiconductor structure includes a cell array. The cell array includes a plurality of first cells arranged in a first column, a plurality of second cells arranged in a second column abutting the first column and a third cell arranged in the first column. Each first cell has a first cell height and is configured to perform a first function. Each second cell has a second cell height and is configured to perform a second function. The third cell has a third cell height and is configured to perform a third function. Each second cell is coupled to and in contact with a respective first cell. The second cell height is greater than the first cell height, and the number of first cells is equal to the number of second cells. The third cell height is proportional to the first cell height.