Modified IC Cells Fill Empty Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
In integrated circuit (IC) design, the arrangement of standard cells with different sizes and configurations often results in empty spaces, which can be wasteful and reduce the efficiency of the IC layout, as existing cells do not fully utilize the available space without compromising functionality.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of modified cells with additional active regions and fin features that fill empty spaces, allowing for abutting placement without increasing the IC area, thereby eliminating or reducing empty spaces while providing additional functionality and improving IC properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard cells with different sizes and configurations are arranged in IC layout, then functionality is provided, but empty spaces are created reducing layout efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces modified cells with additional active regions and fin features that are specifically designed to fill empty spaces in the IC layout. These modified cells have different configurations (e.g., different numbers of fins, different active region arrangements) to match and fill various types of empty spaces created by standard cell arrangements, thereby improving layout efficiency while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by adding fin features that extend in the vertical direction within the active regions of modified cells. This allows the cells to fill empty spaces more effectively in the planar layout while providing additional functionality through the vertically extended fin structures, thus improving both layout efficiency and device performance.
2Area of stationary object
If modified cells with additional active regions and fin features are introduced, then empty spaces are reduced and functionality is enhanced, but cell complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modified cells are segmented into distinct functional regions: standard active regions for basic functionality and additional active regions with fin features for filling empty spaces and providing enhanced functionality. This segmentation allows the complex modified cells to be systematically designed and integrated into the IC layout, managing complexity through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The modified cells serve multiple functions simultaneously: they fill empty spaces in the layout, provide standard cell functionality through their base structure, and offer additional functionality through the fin features in the additional active regions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate filler cells and functional cells, thereby managing overall design complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If cells are placed to fill empty spaces without increasing IC area, then layout efficiency is improved, but placement constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies cell parameters such as the number of fins, the dimensions and positions of active regions, and the configurations of interconnect structures to create a family of modified cells with varying characteristics. These parameter variations allow the modified cells to be placed in different locations and orientations to fill various empty spaces while satisfying design rules and functionality requirements, thereby managing placement constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes positioning a first active region adjacent to a pair of second active regions in an initial integrated circuit (IC) layout diagram of an initial cell, to align side edges of the first active region and corresponding side edges of each second active region of the pair of second active regions along a cell height direction. The first active region forms, together with the initial cell, a modified cell having a modified IC layout diagram. The side edges of the first active region and the corresponding side edges of each second active region extend along the cell height direction. A height dimension of the first active region in the cell height direction is less than half of a height dimension of each second active region of the pair of second active regions in the cell height direction. The positioning the first active region is executed by a processor.