Integrated Circuit Supply Pin Extension for Signal Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated circuits face signal integrity issues due to high supply grid resistance, which is exacerbated by the need for minimal IC area and routing resources, particularly in very-large-scale integration (VLSI) designs where power consumption and current density are increasing.

Innovation Solution

The method involves placing supply pins in predefined rows, determining blocked areas for extensions, and adaptively extending the supply pins outside these areas to reduce overall supply grid resistance, thereby minimizing signal integrity issues and freeing up higher layer resources for signal routing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If supply pins are extended to reduce supply grid resistance, then signal integrity is improved, but blocked areas prevent extension in certain regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal integrityVSAvoidblocked areas for extension

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supply pin extension is divided into multiple segments: original supply pins, intermediate extension pins, and terminal extension pins. This segmentation allows the extension to navigate around blocked areas by creating intermediate connection points, thereby achieving signal integrity improvement without being constrained by continuous blocked regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The extension strategy is adapted locally based on the presence and configuration of blocked areas. In regions with blocked areas, the extension path is modified to route around them, while in regions without blocked areas, direct extension is performed. This local adaptation ensures optimal signal integrity improvement while respecting local design constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If supply pins are extended outside blocked areas, then supply grid resistance is reduced, but IC area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupply grid resistanceVSAvoidIC area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The extension pins are configured with variable spacing and dimensions based on local requirements. The distance between intermediate extension pins and terminal extension pins is dynamically adjusted according to the blocked area configuration, allowing the supply grid to achieve low resistance with minimal area expansion by concentrating extensions only where necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If supply pins are extended to meet power requirements, then power delivery is improved, but routing resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower deliveryVSAvoidrouting resources

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate extension pins serve multiple functions: they act as connection points for the extended supply pins, provide additional power distribution nodes, and can potentially serve as tap points for local power needs. This multi-functionality improves power delivery while minimizing the consumption of routing resources, as the same structures serve multiple purposes in the power grid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3522044B1Method of designing an integrated circuit

Publication Date: 2021.09.01 NXP BV

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AI summary

In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method of designing an integrated circuit is conceived, comprising: placing integrated circuit cells that include supply pins in a plurality of predefined rows; determining blocked areas for supply pin extensions; extending the supply pins outside said blocked areas. A corresponding integrated circuit is also provided.