Integrated Circuit Layout With Mixed-Height Cells And Continuous Rails

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional standard cell libraries face limitations in design flexibility and efficiency due to the constraint of intermixing cells with different cell heights, leading to increased power consumption and reduced manufacturing process window.

Innovation Solution

A method for forming an integrated circuit layout by aligning well boundaries of mixed-height standard cells and extending power and ground rails to create continuous voltage rails, allowing for the integration of cells with different heights while maintaining design flexibility and synthesis efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If standard cells with different cell heights are intermixed in a same routing block to optimize area efficiency, then area utilization is improved, but synthesis efficiency deteriorates due to pattern irregularity and manufacturing process window is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearea efficiencyVSAvoidsynthesis efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The routing block is segmented into multiple row regions, each with a uniform row height. Standard cells with different cell heights are distributed to different row regions according to their height requirements. This segmentation allows intermixing of different cell heights while maintaining uniformity within each row, thereby improving area efficiency without sacrificing synthesis efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If standard cells with different cell heights are intermixed in a same routing block, then design flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to reduced process window

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process window

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The routing block is divided into multiple row regions with uniform heights. Standard cells are allocated to row regions matching their height, ensuring manufacturing precision is maintained within each row while allowing design flexibility across the entire routing block through selective cell placement in different regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If standard cells with different cell heights are placed in different monolithic routing blocks and connected by metal interconnections, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but design flexibility is limited and power consumption increases due to extended interconnection length

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process windowVSAvoiddesign flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The routing block is segmented into uniform row regions that can accommodate different cell heights within the same block, eliminating the need for multiple separate routing blocks. This allows standard cells to be placed adjacent to each other with direct connections, maintaining manufacturing precision while improving design flexibility and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple routing blocks that would traditionally be used for different cell heights are merged into a single routing block with segmented row regions. This merging allows standard cells of different heights to coexist in the same block with direct connections, reducing the need for extended metal interconnections and improving both design flexibility and power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Area of stationary object

If standard cells with different cell heights are intermixed, then area efficiency is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to extended metal interconnection length

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearea efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The routing block is segmented into uniform row regions accommodating different cell heights. Standard cells are placed in adjacent row regions with direct connections, reducing metal interconnection length. This segmentation approach improves area efficiency while maintaining reliability by minimizing power consumption through shorter interconnections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12408428B2Integrated circuit, method for forming a layout of integrated circuit using standard cells

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

A method for forming an integrated circuit layout including at least two standard cells having different cell heights is disclosed. The standard cells respectively have a well boundary to divide a PMOS region and an NMOS region. The standard cells are abutted side by side along their side edges in a way that the well boundaries of the cells are aligned along the row direction. The power rail and the ground rail of one of the standard cells are extended in width or length to connect to the power rail and the ground rail of the other one of the standard cells.