IC Cell Placement Site Optimization via Pin Track Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
As technology advances and the demand for scaled integrated circuits (ICs) grows, existing electronic design automation (EDA) tools face challenges in efficiently placing standard cells with varying complexities and pin locations within limited IC layout designs, leading to constraints in optimizing IC layout designs.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of different standard cell libraries with defined multiple pin locations for standard cells, allowing for flexible placement by mapping pin tracks across contiguous placement units, thereby optimizing IC layout design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard cells are placed in traditional fixed-position layouts, then placement simplicity is maintained, but layout flexibility and optimization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The layout is divided into discrete placement sites with specific pin location patterns. Each placement site is segmented into defined pin tracks (e.g., N1, N2, N3, N4) that can be independently mapped to standard cell pins, allowing flexible configuration while maintaining structured organization.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple pin location patterns are defined within the same placement site structure, allowing a single placement site to support different pin configurations (e.g., pins at N1-N4, or N2-N3 only). This universal structure can accommodate various standard cell types with different pin arrangements without requiring separate placement rules.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pin locations are defined for standard cells, then placement flexibility increases, but the complexity of managing multiple pin tracks increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different pin location patterns are assigned to different regions or contexts within the placement site. Each pin track (N1, N2, N3, N4) has specific local characteristics and can be selectively activated based on the standard cell type being placed, allowing localized optimization without affecting the entire layout system.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin location configuration is parameterized through multiple defined patterns (e.g., first pin location, second pin location, third pin location) that can be selected and applied based on the specific standard cell requirements. This allows dynamic adjustment of pin track assignments without changing the fundamental placement site structure.
3Quantity of substance
If IC layout size is reduced to meet scaling demands, then device density increases, but the ability to place standard cells with varying widths becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pin location patterns are nested within a single placement site structure. The placement site can contain different pin configurations (N1-N4, N2-N4, N1-N3, etc.) that are hierarchically organized, allowing compact representation of multiple standard cell types in a reduced layout space while maintaining full placement adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from traditional one-dimensional row-based placement to a two-dimensional pin track mapping system. Pin locations are defined in terms of vertical tracks (N1, N2, N3, N4) that can be independently configured, adding a dimensional aspect to placement flexibility that enables better packing density in scaled layouts.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes an example method for cell placement in an integrated circuit (IC) layout design. The method includes partitioning a layout area into one or more contiguous units, where each unit includes a plurality of placement sites. The method also includes mapping a first set of pin locations and a second set of pin locations to each of the one or more contiguous units. The method further includes placing a cell in the one or more contiguous units, where the cell is retrieved from a cell library that includes a plurality of pin locations for the cell. The placement of the cell is based on an allocation of one or more pins associated with the cell to at least one of a pin track from the first plurality of pin locations, a pin track from second plurality of pin locations, or a combination thereof.