Automated Integrated Circuit Edit Feasibility Analysis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Manual evaluation of integrated circuit edits is inefficient and inaccurate due to reliance on personal experience, leading to difficulties in determining feasibility and suggesting viable alternatives.

Innovation Solution

An automated method using design rules, FIB machinery characteristics, and integrated circuit properties to analyze proposed edits and generate feasible edit plans through mathematical calculations and empirical data, identifying suitable milling locations and evaluating alternative solutions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual evaluation of integrated circuit edits is performed by engineers, then personal experience and knowledge can be applied, but the evaluation is inefficient and inaccurate due to limited or incomplete knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaluation accuracyVSAvoidevaluation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical evaluation process with an automated computer-based system that uses algorithms and design rules to evaluate edit feasibility, eliminating reliance on individual engineer knowledge while improving both accuracy and efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service evaluation where the computer automatically assesses edit feasibility using pre-programmed design rules and circuit data, without requiring external expert intervention for each evaluation case

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If engineers manually evaluate proposed edits, then they can use their knowledge of design rules and milling procedures, but they are unable to thoroughly and efficiently analyze the integrated circuit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeasibility determination reliabilityVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The manual analysis process is replaced with an automated computer system that rapidly processes circuit data against design rules, providing reliable feasibility determinations without the time constraints of manual review

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary automated analysis of edit feasibility before actual implementation, identifying potential issues early using design rules and preventing time-consuming failed editing attempts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If engineers visually inspect edits based on personal impression, then they can quickly assess difficulty level, but they reject edits based on incomplete knowledge even when viable alternatives exist

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveedit assessment simplicityVSAvoidfeasibility assessment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The subjective visual inspection process is replaced with an objective computer-based evaluation system that applies design rules consistently, eliminating bias and incomplete knowledge while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback on edit feasibility based on systematic analysis of design rules and circuit constraints, guiding engineers toward viable editing options rather than simple rejection based on impression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If manual feasibility studies are conducted, then engineers can characterize edits as aggressive or conservative, but they cannot consistently provide viable alternatives to unsuitable proposed edits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveedit characterization capabilityVSAvoidalternative suggestion consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The manual characterization process is replaced with automated analysis that consistently evaluates multiple potential editing approaches, providing reliable alternative suggestions based on systematic application of design rules rather than individual engineer judgment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8677293B2Feasibility of IC edits

Publication Date: 2014.03.18 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

One embodiment relates to a computer method of evaluating proposed edits to a target layer of an integrated circuit. In the method, a number of editable regions is determined for metal layers overlying the target layer, where an editable region for a metal layer is laterally arranged between segments of the metal layer. The method identifies a number of possible vertical milling paths that extend from an exterior surface of the integrated surface to the target layer. Each possible vertical milling path passes through at least one editable region. The method generates a number of possible edit plans that are based on both the proposed edits and the number of possible vertical milling paths, where each edit plan places edits in a different combination of possible vertical milling paths.