IC Cell Layout Using APR Pin Grouping for Functional Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of integrated circuits poses challenges in design and manufacturing, particularly in ensuring that standard cell layout designs meet strict specifications and are reliable, as existing methods lack flexibility in automatic placement and routing, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the generation of a netlist for a non-functional circuit with disconnected pins, which are then connected by an automatic placement and routing tool to create a functional circuit, allowing for a more flexible placement scheme and design by designating specific pins to be connected, thereby enhancing the integration circuit's manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If standard cell layout designs are miniaturized to reduce device size and power consumption, then device functionality and integration density are improved, but manufacturing precision and design specification compliance become more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing automatic placement and routing of standard cells before final manufacturing. The APR tool pre-establishes all necessary connections between pins, ensuring that layout designs meet manufacturing specifications before production. This advance configuration prevents connection errors and ensures compliance with design rules, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision despite miniaturization.
2Reliability
If automatic placement and routing tools are used to connect disconnected pins in non-functional circuits, then circuit functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the APR tool to automatically identify and connect disconnected pins without requiring manual intervention. The tool autonomously performs placement and routing operations, transforming non-functional circuits with disconnected pins into functional circuits. This automation reduces the complexity burden on designers while ensuring circuit functionality is restored or established.
3Reliability
If strict design specifications are enforced during miniaturization, then manufacturing reliability is improved, but design flexibility and ease of manufacture are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing an adaptive APR process that dynamically adjusts placement and routing strategies based on manufacturing specifications. The tool can modify design parameters and connection configurations in real-time to meet reliability requirements while maintaining manufacturing flexibility. This dynamic approach allows the system to enforce strict specifications without completely rigidifying the design process, as the APR tool can automatically optimize layouts to satisfy both constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) includes generating a netlist of a first circuit, generating a first cell layout of the first circuit, placing the first cell layout, by an automatic placement and routing (APR) tool, in a first region of a layout design. The first circuit is configured as a non-functional circuit. The first circuit includes a first pin and a second pin that are electrically disconnected from each other. Generating the netlist of the first circuit includes designating the first pin and the second pin as a first group of pins that are to be connected together. Placing the first cell layout by the APR tool includes connecting the first pin and the second pin in the first group of pins together thereby changing the first circuit to a second circuit. The second circuit is configured as a functional version of the first circuit.