Power Supply Reinforcement Cell for Semiconductor Layouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply reinforcement techniques for semiconductor integrated circuits are inefficient when high-potential and low-potential power supply routings are alternately placed in parallel, as they require additional processes and increase the complexity and data capacity of cell libraries.
Innovation Solution
A cell library and data for designs that include power supply reinforcement cells capable of connecting high-potential and low-potential power supply routings across adjacent columns, allowing for efficient power supply reinforcement without significantly increasing the amount of cell data, by specifying conductive paths that interpose between these routings and enabling automatic placement and routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If functional circuits including reinforcing power supply routing and reinforcing ground routing are prepared in advance for each type of functional circuit, then power supply reinforcement can be achieved, but the type of functional circuit increases and the amount of cell library data becomes excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal power supply reinforcement cell that can be applied to any functional circuit type, rather than creating separate reinforcement cells for each functional circuit type. This single cell design connects high-potential and low-potential power supply routings in a standardized manner, making it universally applicable across different circuit types and reducing cell library data quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the power supply reinforcement function from the functional circuit logic, creating an independent reinforcement cell that can be placed alongside functional circuits. This segmentation allows the reinforcement functionality to be added without increasing the complexity or data amount of the original functional circuit cells.
2Reliability
If the existing power supply reinforcement technique is applied to layouts with alternately placed high-potential and low-potential power supply routings, then power supply reinforcement is attempted, but additional processes are required and the complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply reinforcement cell is designed in advance with pre-defined connection points and conductive paths that accommodate alternately placed power supply routings. The cell includes internal routing structures that are prepared beforehand to connect to high-potential and low-potential routings in alternating patterns, eliminating the need for additional post-processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement cell design is made adaptable to different routing arrangements through parameterized connection points that can automatically adjust to the alternate placement pattern of power supply routings. This dynamic design allows the same cell to work with various routing configurations without requiring manual modification or additional processes.
3Productivity
If functional circuits are placed between high-potential and low-potential power supply routings, then automatic placement and routing can be performed, but power supply reinforcement becomes difficult without changing the layout
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply reinforcement cell acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the functional circuits and the power supply trunk. It provides a standardized interface that connects to both high-potential and low-potential routings, enabling power supply reinforcement to be implemented through normal placement and routing processes without requiring layout changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement cell is designed to automatically establish proper connections to the power supply network through its internal conductive paths and connection points. When placed in the design, it self-configures to connect to the appropriate high-potential and low-potential routings, enabling power supply reinforcement without manual intervention or layout modification.
Data Source
AI summary
A cell library readable by a computer device includes cell data of a power supply reinforcement cell, specifying a conductive path that connects high-potential power supply routings located on both sides of one low-potential power supply routing with the routing interposed therebetween or low-potential power supply routings located on both sides of one high-potential power supply routing with the routing interposed therebetween, in data of plural cells which is used in designs of a semiconductor device including plural high-potential power supply routings, connected to a high-potential power supply trunk, which are separated from each other and are placed in parallel with each other, plural low-potential power supply routings, connected to a low-potential power supply trunk, which are placed alternately and in parallel with the high-potential power supply routings, and functional circuits which are formed in regions located between the high-potential power supply routings and the low-potential power supply routings.