Automated Electrical Specification Extraction from Prelayout Simulations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated circuit designers face challenges in obtaining electrical specification information early in the design process, leading to unforecasted design iterations due to reliability concerns like electromigration and electrical parasitics, which prolong the production timeline.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for extracting electrical specifications such as resistance and capacitance from prelayout simulations, using algorithms like SPEAR to automate the extraction and generation of a feasible floorplan, addressing postlayout resistance and capacitance considerations and reliability issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If electrical specification information is obtained later in the design process (after layout), then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but design time and productivity deteriorate due to unforecasted design iterations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical specification accuracyVSAvoiddesign cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs prelayout simulation to extract electrical specifications (resistance, capacitance, current) before the actual layout design begins. This preliminary extraction of electrical parameters allows designers to make informed decisions during floorplanning and routing phases, preventing later redesigns and iterations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary extraction system that bridges the gap between prelayout simulation data and layout design requirements. The system acts as a mediator by automatically extracting and providing electrical specification information from prelayout simulations, enabling designers to access critical electrical parameters without waiting for postlayout analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If manual extraction of electrical specifications is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and productivity deteriorate due to time-consuming manual processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical specification accuracyVSAvoidextraction process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automated extraction of electrical specifications from prelayout simulations using algorithms such as SPEAR. The extraction process serves itself by automatically parsing simulation data, calculating electrical parameters (resistance, capacitance, current), and generating reports without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining precision while dramatically improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical processes of extracting electrical specifications with an automated computational system. Instead of manually analyzing simulation data and calculating electrical parameters, the system uses automated algorithms and software to perform these tasks, substituting human effort with machine-based extraction and analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10198545B1Systems and methods for extraction of electrical specifications from prelayout simulations

Publication Date: 2019.02.05 ALTERA CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods for extracting one or more electrical specifications from a prelayout simulation of an integrated circuit design, where the one or more electrical specification are utilized to generate a physical layout of one or more components of an integrated circuit.