Predictive Antenna Diode Insertion in Clock Mesh Macros
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current integrated circuit development lacks a method for predictively placing antenna diodes using computer software tools, leading to manual insertion and potential antenna violations in clock mesh designs, which can result in fabrication failures.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for integrated circuit development that determines the longest vertical and horizontal wires in a clock mesh, identifies checkbox regions, calculates total diffusion areas, and adds antenna diodes to clock pins if the diffusion area falls below a threshold, thereby predicting and preventing antenna violations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antenna diodes are manually added to the macro layout, then antenna violations can be addressed, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting antenna violations and inserting antenna diodes without human intervention. The computer software tool autonomously analyzes the macro layout, identifies checkbox regions with insufficient diffusion area, and places antenna diodes at appropriate locations, eliminating the need for manual insertion while ensuring design rule compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of visually inspecting and placing antenna diodes is replaced by an automated computer-based system. The software uses algorithmic analysis to detect antenna violations and automatically inserts diodes, substituting human manual operations with computational automation to improve efficiency and accuracy.
2Extent of automation
If computer software tools are used for predictive antenna diode placement, then automation and accuracy improve, but the complexity of the design tool increases
Solution Approach 1:
The software tool segments the macro layout into discrete checkbox regions around each clock pin, making the complex analysis task manageable. By dividing the layout into standardized regions with specific dimensions (e.g., 2x2 microns), the tool can systematically evaluate each region for antenna violations and apply consistent placement rules, reducing overall system complexity through modular analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses configurable parameters such as checkbox region dimensions, diffusion area thresholds, and diode placement rules that can be adjusted without changing the underlying software architecture. This parameter-based approach allows the tool to adapt to different design requirements while maintaining a consistent automated framework, managing complexity through flexible configuration rather than structural changes.
3Reliability
If the diffusion area in checkbox regions is insufficient, then antenna violations occur during fabrication, but increasing diffusion area may affect circuit design
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna diode acts as an intermediary element that resolves the conflict between maintaining sufficient diffusion area for reliability and preserving circuit design flexibility. By inserting the diode in series with the clock pin, the system provides a path for charge dissipation without requiring changes to the original circuit topology or diffusion area, thus maintaining design adaptability while ensuring fabrication compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna violation problem is extracted from the circuit design constraints by placing the antenna diode outside the functional circuit path. The diode is positioned in the checkbox region adjacent to the clock pin, separating the antenna protection function from the circuit logic, allowing the circuit design to remain unchanged while addressing the diffusion area insufficiency issue.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention include protecting against antenna violations in a macro having a clock mesh. Aspects include obtaining a design of the macro, the design including a clock layer having a plurality of clock pins and determining a longest vertical wire and a longest horizontal wire allowed based on a design of the clock mesh. Aspects also include identifying, based at least in part on the longest vertical wire and the longest horizontal wire, a plurality of checkbox regions for a clock pin of the plurality of clock pins and calculating a total diffusion area for each of the plurality of checkbox regions. Aspects further include adding, to the design of the macro, an antenna diode to the clock pin based on a determination that the total diffusion area for any of the plurality of checkbox regions is less than a threshold value.