IC Extraction Using Halo-Based Granular Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional extraction tools for integrated circuit design operate in batch mode, leading to inefficiencies and resource wastage when only small portions of the design are modified, as they often re-process the entire or substantial sections of the design, rather than focusing on specific changed areas.
Innovation Solution
The method involves performing extraction at smaller granularities, such as net-by-net or Island-by-Island, using a 'halo' to identify surrounding objects and generate an electrical model, allowing for precise analysis and re-extraction only of affected areas, thereby improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If batch mode extraction is used to process the entire design, then extraction completeness is ensured, but computational resources and processing time are wasted when only small portions are modified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the IC design into discrete objects (Islands, Nets, Layers) that can be independently processed. Instead of treating the entire design as a single batch, the system segments the design into manageable units that can be selectively extracted based on modification scope, thereby improving processing efficiency while maintaining extraction completeness for affected areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local extraction by identifying specific objects and their surrounding halos that need re-extraction based on modifications. The system applies extraction quality and scope locally to only the affected regions rather than uniformly processing the entire design, optimizing resource utilization while ensuring complete extraction for modified sections.
2Measurement precision
If entire design sections are re-processed after modifications, then extraction accuracy is maintained, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary portions of the design for re-processing by identifying modified objects and their associated halos. This selective extraction approach maintains extraction accuracy for affected areas while avoiding unnecessary processing of unchanged sections, thereby reducing processing time and computational resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of modified objects and calculates the required halo regions before initiating re-extraction. This preliminary action determines the exact scope of re-processing needed, preventing over-processing of the entire design and optimizing both time and resource consumption while maintaining accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional batch extraction is used, then all design areas are processed uniformly, but resource wastage occurs when modifications are localized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic processing scope that adapts to the location and extent of modifications in the design. Instead of uniform batch processing, the system dynamically determines the extraction scope based on modified objects and their halos, adjusting the processing boundary to match the actual needs and minimizing computational resource wastage on unchanged areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the extraction parameters (scope, granularity, region) based on the modification characteristics. By adjusting these parameters dynamically according to the location and nature of changes, the system achieves versatile processing capability while minimizing energy consumption on unaffected design sections.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved method and system for performing extraction on an integrated circuit design is disclosed. Extraction may be performed at granularities much smaller than the entire IC design, in which a halo is used to identify a geometric volume surrounding an object of interest to identify neighboring objects and generate an electrical model. The extraction approach can be taken for Islands, Nets, as well as other granularities within the design. Re-extraction of a design can occur at granularities smaller than a net. Some approaches utilize Island-stitching to replace an island within a net. An approach is also described for improving cross-references for cross-coupled objects.