IC Layout Region Scaling With Fixed Areas and Rerouting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing integrated circuit (IC) design processes face challenges in optimizing layout modifications to address yield and performance concerns, particularly in scaling regions of the IC layout while ensuring optimal functionality and manufacturability.

Innovation Solution

A method for non-uniform scaling of IC layout regions involves setting fixed areas and pushing or moving other areas during scaling operations, with rerouting of disconnected conductive patterns and adding additional routing features to maintain optimal performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If non-uniform scaling is applied to different circuit regions, then manufacturing optimization and performance are improved, but design rule compliance and layout complexity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing optimizationVSAvoidlayout complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The IC layout is divided into multiple circuit regions, each of which can be independently scaled by different scaling factors. This segmentation allows non-uniform scaling across different areas of the layout while maintaining manageability through region-based control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Fixed areas and pushed areas are introduced as intermediary elements to manage the complexity of non-uniform scaling. Fixed areas remain unchanged during scaling operations, while pushed areas are displaced to accommodate scaling transformations, serving as buffers that simplify the overall layout modification process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If automated EDA tools are used for layout modification, then process efficiency is improved, but ensuring design rule compliance becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess efficiencyVSAvoiddesign rule compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The EDA tool implements automated feedback mechanisms that continuously check design rule compliance during the layout modification process. The system monitors scaling operations, fixed area placements, and pushed area displacements, providing real-time feedback to ensure all modifications meet manufacturing design rules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Design rules and compliance criteria are established beforehand in the EDA tool before layout modifications are executed. The system pre-configures constraints and validation parameters, enabling automated verification throughout the non-uniform scaling process to ensure manufacturing precision is maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12614016B2Integrated circuit design method, system and computer program product

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD

AI summary

A method of modifying a layout for an integrated circuit (IC) includes: selecting, in the layout, a circuit region to be scaled; setting a fixed area including a fixed feature in the selected circuit region; and scaling the selected circuit region, without scaling the fixed area including the fixed feature, to obtain a modified layout for the IC.