Power Grid Architecture with EUV Lithography
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current semiconductor chip design processes face challenges with capacitive coupling, electromigration, leakage currents, and signal routing congestion due to the limitations of traditional power grid architectures, which hinder efficient placement and routing of standard cells and delay the design cycle.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves using multiple independent power posts and straps in different metal layers, eliminating power rails and employing unidirectional signal routes with no bends or L-shapes, which creates gaps for flexible signal routing and reduces on-die area penalties, allowing for more efficient power and ground connections and alleviating signal routing congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional power rails with long wires are used for power and ground connections, then power supply connections can be established, but signal routing congestion increases and placement flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the traditional continuous power rail into multiple discrete power posts distributed across different metal layers. Each power post serves as an independent power connection point, eliminating the need for long power rails and reducing signal routing congestion while maintaining reliable power supply to standard cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional power rail connections to three-dimensional power distribution by utilizing multiple metal layers. Power posts are placed in different layers (e.g., M1, M2, M3) and connected through vertical vias, creating a multi-layer power grid that reduces planar congestion and improves placement flexibility.
2Reliability
If fixed location posts are used for power and ground connections, then power connections are established, but placement flexibility of standard cells is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates universal power posts that can serve multiple functions: power supply, ground reference, and signal routing anchor points. These posts are designed to accommodate various standard cell configurations and routing requirements, making the power grid adaptable to different placement scenarios without requiring fixed cell locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic power grid where power posts can be selectively activated or deactivated based on routing needs. The multi-layer structure allows power connections to be reconfigured dynamically during place-and-route operations, enabling flexible standard cell placement while maintaining reliable power connections.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual full-custom designs are used, then design quality can be optimized, but design cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the power grid automatically optimizes its configuration based on design requirements. The multi-layer power post structure enables automated place-and-route tools to independently optimize power connections and signal routing without manual intervention, maintaining high design quality while reducing cycle time through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the power grid configuration (such as power post density, layer assignment, and via placement) that can be automatically adjusted by EDA tools. These parameter optimizations maintain manufacturing precision equivalent to manual design while enabling automated design flows that significantly reduce design cycle time.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for laying out power grid connections for standard cells are described. In various embodiments, a standard cell uses unidirectional tracks for each of the multiple power vertical metal 3 layer tracks and power horizontal metal 2 tracks. One or more of the multiple vertical metal 3 layer posts are routed with a minimum length based on a pitch of power horizontal metal 2 layer straps. One or more vertical metal 1 posts used for a power connection or a ground connection are routed from a top to a bottom of an active region permitting multiple locations to be used for connections to one of the multiple power horizontal metal 2 layer straps. Two or more power horizontal metal 2 layer straps are placed within a power metal 2 layer track without being connected to one another.