IC Derived Layer Visualization for DRC Violation Debugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contemporary Design Rule Checking (DRC) tools fail to provide sufficient visualization of design rule violations in derived layer shapes, making it difficult and time-consuming for designers to identify and fix errors, leading to increased productivity and turnaround time losses.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that visualizes derived layer shapes on a layout canvas, providing a step-by-step process for generating each shape and a hierarchy of intermediate derived layers, enabling designers to understand and address violations more effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If DRC tools provide only textual description of constraint failures, then the device complexity is reduced and the tool is easier to implement, but the ease of operation deteriorates as designers cannot visually understand the violations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary visualization layer between the DRC constraint checking process and the designer. This intermediary component translates abstract constraint violations into visual representations on the layout canvas, showing derived layer shapes, intermediate layers, and violation locations. The intermediary handles the complexity internally while presenting simplified visual information to the designer, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
2Ease of repair
If DRC tools provide detailed visualization of derived layer violations, then the ease of repair is improved, but the loss of time for processing and analysis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-computing and caching the hierarchy of intermediate derived layers before the actual DRC checking process. When violations are detected, the visualization system can immediately display pre-computed intermediate layers without requiring real-time computation during the analysis phase. This preliminary preparation reduces the time loss during violation analysis while maintaining detailed visualization capabilities for ease of repair.
3Loss of information
If the system displays complete hierarchy of intermediate derived layers, then the information completeness is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple layer management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex derived layer hierarchy into manageable components, displaying intermediate layers in a structured, hierarchical manner. Instead of presenting all layers simultaneously in a chaotic fashion, the system divides the information into logical segments (parent layers, child layers, intermediate steps) that can be systematically explored. This segmentation maintains information completeness while reducing the perceived complexity through organized presentation.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method, system and computer program product for visualizing derived layer shapes of an integrated circuit design are disclosed. The computer-implemented method, system and computer program product include visualizing the derived layer shapes on a layout canvas; providing a step by step process for visualizing each derived layer shape as each derived layer shape is generated; and providing a hierarchy of intermediate derived layers based upon the step by step process.