Automated Option Device Placement in Circuit Layouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of circuit designs at smaller semiconductor dimensions increases the time and cost of design and implementation, with current methods lacking an efficient automatic tool for placing option devices to create different versions of a design, leading to manual and time-consuming processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and software tool for optimizing the placement of option devices in circuit layouts, using pre-defined patterns, assigning devices to pins, and adjusting placement based on criteria such as wirelength, DRC, and routability, to automate the placement process and reduce manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual placement of option devices is used, then design flexibility is maintained, but design time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The placement tool automatically performs option device placement without requiring manual user intervention. The system self-determines optimal positions based on pre-defined patterns and design constraints, eliminating the need for manual placement while maintaining design flexibility through programmable parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pre-defined patterns with adjustable parameters to control option device placement. By modifying pattern parameters such as position, orientation, and spacing, the tool can adapt to different design requirements automatically, providing both speed and flexibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If option devices are placed to minimize wirelength, then routing efficiency improves, but placement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary placement of option devices based on pre-defined patterns before the actual routing process. This preliminary action establishes optimal positions that minimize wirelength, and the placement is then refined during subsequent routing stages, separating the complexity of optimization from the simplicity of execution.
3Manufacturing precision
If pre-defined patterns are used for placement, then placement consistency improves, but adaptability to specific designs decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-defined patterns are designed to be universally applicable across different design types and technologies. Each pattern contains multiple configurable parameters that allow the same basic pattern to adapt to various specific design requirements, maintaining consistency while providing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The placement patterns are not fixed but dynamic and adjustable. The system allows modification of pattern parameters such as position, orientation, and spacing based on specific design needs, enabling the same pattern framework to adapt to different designs while maintaining structural consistency.
Data Source
AI summary
A designer uses an option device to switch one or more signal flows in a schematic design to create different versions for the same design. Currently, there is no related automatic tool for the automatic placement of option devices. In various embodiments, option device instances are used to decide option device positions. Option devices can be automatically placed and routing considered and adjusted as needed.