Pin Modification for Routing Flexibility in Circuit Layouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
As technology nodes decrease, the flexibility for routing lines in circuit layouts is reduced due to smaller distances between cells and elements, leading to issues with one-dimensional routing, where global connections cannot be reliably formed, resulting in unusable cells and decreased circuit layout utilization.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves modifying the length and position of pins in standard cells to increase access points and satisfy design rules, allowing for reliable manufacturing by adjusting the length of at least one pin and potentially the position of local connections, thereby facilitating the formation of global connections across the circuit layout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If technology nodes are decreased to increase circuit density, then circuit layout capacity is improved, but routing flexibility deteriorates due to smaller distances between cells and elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional routing (single direction) to two-dimensional routing (multiple directions including horizontal and vertical), enabling global connections to bypass blocking shapes and access pins from alternative directions, thus resolving the routing flexibility issue at scaled technology nodes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic routing capabilities where the routing direction and path are not fixed but can be adjusted based on the presence of blocking shapes and pin locations, allowing the routing system to adapt to different layout configurations and maintain flexibility despite technology node scaling
2Device complexity
If one-dimensional routing is used to simplify routing structure, then device complexity is reduced, but global connection reliability deteriorates due to inability to form connections across blocking shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables global connections to route in multiple directions (horizontal and vertical) rather than being constrained to a single direction, allowing connections to go around blocking shapes and reach pins that would otherwise be inaccessible, thereby ensuring global connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary identification of accessible pin locations and routing paths before finalizing the circuit layout, ensuring that global connections can be reliably formed by anticipating blocking shapes and selecting appropriate routing directions in advance
3Adaptability or versatility
If pin length and position are modified to increase access points, then routing solutions are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies pin parameters (length and position) within acceptable manufacturing tolerances to create additional access points and routing opportunities, balancing the need for increased routing flexibility with the constraints of manufacturing precision capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A method of designing a device includes identifying a pin to be inserted into a first layer of the device, wherein the first layer has a plurality of first routing tracks, and each of the plurality of first routing tracks extend in a first direction. The method further includes identifying a blocking shape on a second layer different from the first layer, wherein the second layer has a plurality of second routing tracks, and each of the plurality of second routing tracks extends in a second direction different from the first direction. The method further includes determining at least one candidate location for the pin in the first layer based on the plurality of first routing tracks of the first layer. The method further includes setting a location for the pin in the first layer based on the determined at least one candidate location.