Integrated Circuit Layout Generation Using Featureless Abstraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for process optimization or migration of integrated circuit layouts rely on manual adjustments, which are inefficient and have poor usability.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for generating an integrated circuit layout that involves acquiring feature information of components, generating default patterns based on component types, adjusting these patterns using process rules to create a featureless layout, and then obtaining a second optimized layout, utilizing geometric patterns corresponding to metal wires, circuit units, and vias.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual adjustment is used for process optimization or migration of integrated circuit layout, then flexibility in handling complex design cases is maintained, but efficiency and productivity are significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses featureless layout as a simplified copy or abstraction of the original detailed layout, stripping away specific design features while preserving essential geometric relationships. This allows automated processing of the copied layout for process optimization, improving efficiency while the original layout remains intact for reference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the layout representation by changing parameters from detailed feature-based descriptions to simplified geometric parameter descriptions. This parameter transformation enables automated algorithmic processing while maintaining the essential information needed for process optimization
2Productivity
If automated methods are introduced to improve layout optimization efficiency, then productivity increases, but the complexity of the system and difficulty of implementation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the layout optimization process into distinct stages: extracting feature information, generating featureless layout, performing process optimization, and mapping results back. This segmentation reduces system complexity by breaking down the complex automated process into manageable, independent modules
Solution Approach 2:
The featureless layout serves as an intermediary representation between the original detailed layout and the process optimization algorithms. This intermediary simplifies the interface between automated tools and design data, reducing implementation difficulty while enabling high-speed processing
3Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment is used for integrated circuit layout optimization, then detailed control over each component is possible, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment operations with automated computational algorithms. The system automatically extracts feature information, generates featureless layouts, and performs optimization calculations, substituting human manual operations with automated mechanical/computational processes that are both precise and rapid
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system performs layout optimization independently without requiring manual intervention at each step. The algorithm automatically processes the featureless layout, applies process rules, and generates optimized results, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring continuous human operation
4Extent of automation
If feature information is extracted and used to generate featureless layout, then automated processing capability is improved, but information loss may occur during the abstraction process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential feature information needed for process optimization while deliberately leaving out detailed design features that are not relevant to manufacturing processes. This selective extraction reduces information to the necessary minimum, enabling automated processing without retaining unnecessary details that would complicate the process
Solution Approach 2:
The feature information extraction and featureless layout generation are performed as preliminary actions before the main process optimization. This preliminary processing prepares the data in an optimal format for automated algorithms, ensuring that all necessary information is captured beforehand while preventing information loss during subsequent processing steps
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for generating an integrated circuit layout are provided. The method includes: acquiring feature information corresponding to multiple components in a first layout, and determining multiple components as target components respectively, the feature information at least includes a type, a size, a layer, and a position of each component; generating default patterns corresponding to the target components based on types of the target components; generating a featureless layout by using the feature information corresponding to the target components as parameter information of the default patterns; acquiring a process rule; based on the process rule, adjusting the parameter information of the default patterns to obtain an adjusted featureless layout; and obtaining a second layout, based on the adjusted featureless layout and the process rule.