Multi-Height Standard Cell Clock Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated circuit designs face inefficiencies in terms of area occupation and performance due to conventional standard cell architectures, which limit the optimization of clock routing structures and transistor arrangements.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a multi-height standard cell design with an efficient clock routing structure, featuring power rails and clock gate lines arranged in a specific configuration to reduce wiring complexity and enhance transistor arrangement, allowing for a more compact and performant layout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional standard cell architectures are used, then design simplicity is maintained, but area occupation increases and performance deteriorates due to limited optimization of clock routing structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multi-height standard cells that utilize the vertical dimension (different height levels) in addition to the horizontal plane. This allows clock gate lines to be routed at different heights, creating a three-dimensional routing structure that reduces wiring complexity and improves area utilization without significantly increasing architectural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The standard cell architecture is segmented into different height regions with power rails at various levels. Clock gate lines are divided into multiple segments that can be routed independently at different heights, allowing for optimized clock distribution while maintaining modular cell structures
2Reliability
If conventional clock routing structures are used, then routing simplicity is maintained, but performance deteriorates due to inefficient clock node connections
Solution Approach 1:
Clock gate lines are routed at multiple height levels rather than confined to a single plane. This vertical segmentation allows clock signals to reach multiple nodes more efficiently, reducing signal propagation delays and improving timing performance while maintaining routing manageability through structured layering
3Productivity
If multi-height standard cell design is implemented, then area occupation is reduced and performance is improved, but design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-height standard cell architecture is designed as a universal structure that can accommodate various logic functions and clock routing requirements. By creating a standardized multi-height cell template with power rails and clock gate lines at defined heights, the design achieves both area efficiency and performance improvement while controlling complexity through reusability
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate, first through third power rails, and first through fourth clock gate lines. The first power rail through third power rails are formed above the semiconductor substrate, and extend in a first direction and arranged sequentially in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first through fourth clock gate lines are formed above the semiconductor substrate, and extend in the second direction to pass through a first region between the first power rail and the second power rail and a second region between the second power rail and the third power rail. The first clock gate line and the second clock gate line are arranged to be adjacent to each other in the first direction, and the third clock gate line and the fourth clock gate line are arranged to be adjacent to each other in the first direction.