MBFF Serpentine Data Path Layout for Routing Congestion Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing designs for multi-bit flip-flop (MBFF) regions in semiconductor devices face routing congestion issues in higher layers of metallization, which reduces routing opportunities and increases congestion, particularly with sawtooth-configured flow paths, hindering efficient data signal propagation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a serpentine-configured flow path in MBFF regions, where single-bit flip-flop (SBFF) regions are arranged in a daisy chain with alternating orientations, reducing congestion in metallization layers by optimizing the layout and orientation of SBFF regions, thereby enhancing routing opportunities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If SBFF regions are arranged in a sawtooth-configured flow path, then the layout is compact, but routing congestion increases in higher layers of metallization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional sawtooth flow path configuration by implementing a serpentine-configured flow path where SBFF regions alternate orientations (first orientation, then second orientation, then first orientation, etc.). This inversion of the traditional unidirectional sawtooth pattern creates a bidirectional alternating pattern that distributes routing traffic more evenly across metallization layers, reducing congestion in higher layers while maintaining layout compactness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If SBFF regions are coupled in a daisy chain with alternating orientations, then routing opportunities increase, but data signal propagation path length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional unidirectional sawtooth flow path to a serpentine-configured flow path that utilizes alternating dimensions or directions. By alternating the orientations of SBFF regions (first orientation along one direction, second orientation along alternating direction), the design effectively uses multiple spatial dimensions for routing, increasing routing opportunities and flexibility while managing signal propagation path length through optimized geometric arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes: single-bit flip-flop regions (SBFF regions) which comprise a multi-bit flip-flop (MBFF) region; the MBFF region having a two-dimensional floor plan represented by a grid including rows and a first column extending in corresponding first and perpendicular second directions, each SBFF region representing an intersection of a corresponding row and column; the SBFF regions being coupled in a daisy chain for which an output of a preceding one of the SBFF regions in the daisy chain is coupled to an input of a succeeding one of the SBFF regions in the daisy chain; and orientations of the SBFF regions relative to the first direction (α-orientations) being arranged in an alternating pattern relative to the second direction so that a two-dimensional representation of a flow path of a data signal along the first column has a serpentine shape.