MIM Capacitor Placement on Irregular Power Grid Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The insertion of Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) capacitors in integrated circuits is hindered by irregular Power Grid (PG) routings, leading to decreased capacitance density and increased complexity due to the need for stub routings, which results in MIM capacitors being removed from the circuit design to avoid routing violations.
Innovation Solution
The method involves automatically aligning MIM capacitors to the Power Grid routings, allowing them to flexibly follow local variations, thereby reducing Design Rule Check violations and enabling more MIM capacitors to be included, improving capacitance density and routability without the need for additional stub routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If MIM capacitors are inserted in a fixed regular pattern, then insertion process is simple, but routing violations occur and capacitance density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed regular insertion pattern to a dynamic insertion pattern that adapts to the actual Power Grid routing layout. The MIM capacitor insertion positions and orientations are determined based on the local routing geometry, allowing the insertion pattern to flexibly follow the irregular Power Grid structure without violating design rules
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different insertion patterns in different regions of the chip based on local Power Grid characteristics. Each MIM capacitor is inserted according to the specific routing layout at its location, rather than applying a uniform pattern throughout, thus optimizing local routing compliance and capacitance density
2Quantity of substance
If MIM capacitors are aligned to irregular Power Grid routings, then capacitance density increases, but insertion complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing an automated algorithm that autonomously determines the optimal insertion positions and orientations of MIM capacitors based on the Power Grid routing layout. The system automatically analyzes the routing geometry and generates the insertion pattern without requiring manual intervention, thus reducing insertion complexity while maximizing capacitance density
3Reliability
If stub routings are used to connect MIM capacitors to Power Grid, then routing violations are avoided, but design complexity and computing resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning MIM capacitors at locations and orientations that are predetermined to be compatible with the Power Grid routing layout. By carefully selecting insertion positions before routing connection, the need for additional stub routings is eliminated, thus reducing routing structure complexity and computing resource requirements
Data Source
AI summary
Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) Capacitor insertion is provided by grouping subsets of Power Grid (PG) routings from a plurality of PG routings in a circuit design; inserting MIM capacitors into each of the grouped subsets of the PG routings based on a layout and spacing of the PG routings in corresponding grouped subsets of the PG routings; and connecting, for each of the grouped subset of the PG routings, pins of each of the MIM capacitors inserted therein to associated PG routing pairs.