Proxy Engine for PCell Geometry Caching in IC Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuit (IC) design is hindered by vendor lock-in due to proprietary databases and programming languages, leading to inefficiencies in geometry recreation, intellectual property protection issues, and limited cross-vendor portability.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a wrapping module to transform original parameterized cells (PCells) into wrapped PCells, and a proxy engine that evaluates these wrapped PCells in a customized manner, storing results in a client cache or delegating evaluations to server-based components, enabling efficient reuse and cross-vendor compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If geometry data is destroyed when layout is saved to disk, then storage space is optimized, but time is lost when geometries need to be recreated upon reopening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential parameter values and PCell references from the full geometry data when saving to disk. By separating the critical identification information from the complete geometric definitions, the system minimizes stored data while enabling rapid regeneration of geometries through proxy evaluation, thus resolving the contradiction between storage optimization and recreation speed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If original PCell scripts are delivered to third parties, then cross-vendor portability is enabled, but intellectual property protection is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy evaluation mechanism as an intermediary layer between the original PCell scripts and third-party consumers. The proxy contains only parameter values and PCell references, acting as a mediator that enables geometry generation and cross-vendor portability while preventing direct access to the proprietary PCell scripts, thus protecting intellectual property while maintaining versatility.
3Productivity
If proprietary vendor databases are used, then vendor-specific optimization is achieved, but cross-vendor compatibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal interface layer through the proxy mechanism that can operate across different vendor databases. The proxy structure with parameter values and PCell references serves multiple functions: it works with proprietary vendor databases for optimized performance while also enabling cross-vendor portability by providing a standardized evaluation interface that is not tied to any single vendor's proprietary format.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of laying out integrated circuits are disclosed. During the layout stage of an integrated circuit device, a fixed, physical geometry is created of the parameterized cells (PCells) included in the integrated circuit schematic. The systems include a proxy engine configured to save to cache the geometries created during the layout stage such that the geometries need not be recomputed when the design is opened after a save to disk operation, during which geometries may otherwise be destroyed. The proxy engine may further be configured to delegate requests for the creation of geometries to other components of the integrated circuit design system. In addition, the proxy engine may be configured to perform customized evaluations of PCells, other than or in addition to caching and delegation.