Interactive Router Force Mode for DRC Violations
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing inability to toggle between DRC-correct and DRC-agnostic routing within interactive routers limits the productivity and penetration of DRC-correct routers, as they prohibit routing beyond design rule violations, hindering efficient layout development.
Innovation Solution
An interactive routing tool that allows toggling between DRC-correct and DRC-agnostic modes using a force-mode input, enabling routing beyond design rule violations while providing graphical indications of violations, allowing users to address them later during layout finishing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the router enforces DRC rules to prevent design rule violations, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to inability to route beyond violations
Solution Approach 1:
The router dynamically switches between DRC-correct mode and DRC-agnostic mode based on user input. In DRC-correct mode, routing is prohibited beyond DRC violations. In DRC-agnostic mode, routing is enabled beyond DRC violations. This dynamic mode switching allows the system to adapt between enforcing manufacturing precision and maintaining productivity based on design stage requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of DRC enforcement from strict (prohibiting routing beyond violations) to relaxed (allowing routing beyond violations with visual indication) based on user preference. This parameter change enables the router to function in different modes: one prioritizing manufacturing precision and another prioritizing routing productivity
2Manufacturing precision
If the router prohibits routing beyond DRC violations, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates as layout development is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The router provides dynamic mode switching between DRC-correct and DRC-agnostic operation. The DRC-agnostic mode enhances ease of operation by allowing uninterrupted routing during layout development, while the DRC-correct mode ensures manufacturing precision. Users can select the appropriate mode based on their current design needs
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual feedback by indicating DRC violations on the display even in DRC-agnostic mode. This feedback mechanism allows users to maintain ease of operation with free routing while still being aware of compliance issues, enabling them to address violations at appropriate times during the design process
3Productivity
If the router enables continuous routing without DRC enforcement, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to accumulated DRC violations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification and visual indication of DRC violations before finalizing the routing. Even in DRC-agnostic mode where routing is permitted beyond violations, the violations are pre-identified and displayed to the user, allowing for later correction while maintaining productivity during the routing phase
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provide for interactive routing transistor devices of an integrated circuit (IC) design using an interactive routing tool. An example method includes receiving an integrated circuit (IC) design comprising a plurality of transistor devices. The example method further includes receiving a design rule check (DRC) rules set. The example method further includes, responsive to identifying, based at least in part on the DRC rules set, that a first connection input associated with a transistor device of the plurality of transistor devices creates a design rule violation, determining whether a force mode input has been received. The example method further includes, responsive to determining that the force mode input has been received, enabling routing of the first connection input.