Interactive Macro-Cell Placement GUI for IC Floor Planning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional EDA applications for integrated circuit design require manual placement of macro-cells, which is inefficient and time-consuming, especially as the number of macro-cells increases, making it difficult to determine the best layout solution due to the large layout solution space.

Innovation Solution

An interactive macro-cell placement system with a graphical user interface that allows users to select groups of macro-cells, providing optimized layout options based on design constraints such as wire length, dead space, and timing, allowing for quick viewing and selection of layout options without manual placement of each macro-cell individually.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual placement of macro-cells is performed one by one, then users can control each macro-cell placement, but the process becomes slow and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual control of macro-cell placementVSAvoidplacement process speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the macro-cell placement process into two distinct phases: (1) automated generation of multiple layout options using algorithms, and (2) user selection from presented options. This segmentation allows the system to handle the tedious generation work automatically while preserving user control during the decision-making phase, thus resolving the contradiction between manual control and process speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary automated generation of multiple layout options before user selection. By pre-computing various placement configurations using optimization algorithms, the system eliminates the need for users to manually place each macro-cell one by one, significantly improving productivity while maintaining user control through the subsequent selection phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If manual placement of macro-cells is performed one by one, then users can adjust each placement, but it becomes difficult to determine the best layout solution among many macro-cells

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual adjustment of macro-cell placementVSAvoidlayout solution space exploration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system generates multiple copies (layout options) of possible macro-cell arrangements using automated algorithms. Instead of requiring users to manually explore the entire solution space, the system creates several optimized layout variants and presents them for comparison. This allows users to make informed decisions based on pre-computed options, preventing loss of information about the solution space while maintaining ease of adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to users by presenting multiple evaluated layout options with their respective quality metrics. This feedback mechanism allows users to compare different placement solutions and select the best one, rather than manually adjusting placements without comprehensive information about the solution space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If automated layout options are generated and presented, then the placement process becomes faster, but users lose manual control over each macro-cell placement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloor planning and placement speedVSAvoidmanual control of macro-cell placement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic hybrid approach where the system alternates between automated generation of layout options and user selection phases. This dynamic interaction allows the system to leverage automated algorithms for speed while preserving user control during critical decision-making moments, effectively resolving the contradiction between productivity and manual control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If the entire macro-cell placement is automated, then the process becomes efficient, but the layout solution space may be too large to explore effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement process efficiencyVSAvoidlayout solution space complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and presents only the most promising layout options from the vast solution space, rather than requiring users to explore the entire space. By using automated algorithms to identify and extract top-quality candidates, the system maintains high productivity while managing the complexity of the solution space through selective presentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10706199B1Graphical user interface for interactive macro-cell placement

Publication Date: 2020.07.07 CADENCE DESIGN SYST INC

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure address systems, methods, and an improved graphical user interface (GUI) for providing interactive macro-cell placement for integrated circuit (IC) design. The method includes causing display of a GUI that includes a display of an IC floor plan comprising multiple macro-cells, The method further includes receiving a user selection of two or more macro-cells from the IC floor plan, and updating the GUI to display layout options for the two or more macro-cells in conjunction with the display of the IC floor plan. Each layout option specifies an arrangement of the two or more macro-cells. In response to a user selection of a layout option, the display of the IC floor plan is updated by modifying a placement of the two or more macro-cells in accordance with the selected layout option.