Multi-Row Standard Cell Design in Hybrid Row Height Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

In advanced FinFET technology, hybrid row-height systems struggle to maintain cell area shrinkage ratio while preserving performance as node technology advances, leading to performance degradation and routing congestion issues.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a multi-row cell design system that splits cells into discrete sub-cells with matching geometry and target cell driving specifications, allowing for efficient use of empty spaces for signal routing and maintaining cell area shrinkage ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If hybrid row-height systems are implemented with cells of different row-heights, then area utilization is increased, but cell area shrinkage ratio cannot be maintained while preserving performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearea utilizationVSAvoidcell area shrinkage ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cell is divided into multiple sub-cells, each occupying a different number of rows (e.g., first sub-cell in first row, second sub-cell in second row). This segmentation allows each sub-cell to be optimized independently for area shrinkage while maintaining overall cell functionality and performance across the hybrid row-height system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If cells with smaller heights are used, then area is reduced, but driving strength becomes weaker and routing congestion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell areaVSAvoiddriving strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sub-cells with different row-heights are combined within a single cell structure. The first sub-cell occupies the first row while the second sub-cell occupies the second row, allowing the cell to aggregate driving strength from multiple rows while maintaining compact area utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If cells with larger heights are used, then driving strength is increased, but area and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving strengthVSAvoidcell area

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Different sub-cells within the same cell are assigned different row-heights based on their specific functional requirements. The first sub-cell may use a taller row-height for high driving strength requirements, while the second sub-cell uses a shorter row-height for area-efficient functions, optimizing the local characteristics of each sub-cell.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250181813A1Multi-Row Standard Cell Design Method in Hybrid Row Height System

Publication Date: 2025.06.05 TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD

AI summary

A discrete multi-row height cell in a hybrid row-height system with a plurality of rows of at least two different row-heights is disclosed. The discrete multi-row height cell includes: a first sub-cell deployed on a first row with a first row-height; a second sub-cell deployed on a second row with a second row-height, wherein the second row and the first row is separated by a third row with a third row-height, wherein the third row-height is different from the first row-height, wherein the first sub-cell and the second sub-cell are electrically connected by at least a wire.