Pseudo Diode Verification for Circuit Schematic Layout Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for verifying voltage rules in semiconductor design layouts lack automation and accuracy, particularly in communicating voltage conditions from circuit schematics to integrated circuit layouts, leading to potential design rule violations and errors.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced that involves assigning a pseudo diode to specific voltage conditions in the circuit schematic, coding this information into the integrated circuit layout, and using a comparison algorithm to verify consistency between the schematic and layout, ensuring compliance with design rules through a pseudo layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage rule verification is performed manually on circuit schematics and layouts, then flexibility in handling different voltage conditions is maintained, but accuracy and reliability of verification are reduced due to potential human errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pseudo diodes as intermediary elements that automatically encode voltage conditions from circuit schematics into layout representations. These pseudo diodes serve as mediators between the schematic capture tool and layout verification tools, enabling automated transfer of voltage rule information without manual intervention, thereby improving verification reliability while maintaining systematic complexity management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copied representation of voltage conditions by placing pseudo diodes in the layout that mirror the voltage specifications from the circuit schematic. This copying mechanism allows verification tools to automatically compare the original schematic voltage rules with the layout implementation, ensuring accurate and reliable verification without manual processes
2Measurement precision
If automated verification tools are implemented to check voltage rules, then verification accuracy and consistency are improved, but the complexity of the verification process and tool integration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by encoding voltage rule information into pseudo diodes during the schematic capture phase, before layout verification is needed. This pre-encoding of voltage conditions allows automated verification tools to directly read and check compliance without complex real-time analysis, improving measurement precision while managing process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where verification tools automatically compare the pseudo diode configurations in the layout against the original circuit schematic voltage rules. This automated feedback loop provides precise verification of voltage rule compliance and enables immediate identification of violations, enhancing measurement precision through systematic comparison
3Productivity
If voltage information is manually communicated from circuit schematics to layout, then adaptability to different design scenarios is maintained, but productivity and efficiency are reduced due to manual processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service by allowing the schematic capture tool to automatically generate and place pseudo diodes with appropriate voltage rule annotations based on the circuit design itself. This automated self-service mechanism eliminates manual communication of voltage information, significantly improving verification productivity while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive schematic entry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing the pseudo diode system to handle multiple voltage conditions and rule types through a single standardized mechanism. The same pseudo diode structure can represent different voltage levels and rules, enabling automated verification across diverse design scenarios without requiring separate manual processes for each case, thus improving productivity
4Loss of information
If detailed voltage annotations are added to circuit schematics to ensure proper layout verification, then completeness of voltage information is improved, but the complexity of schematic creation and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts voltage rule information from the complex circuit schematic context and consolidates it into dedicated pseudo diode elements in the layout. This extraction process ensures complete voltage information is captured and separately represented, making the information complete for verification purposes while keeping the original schematic clean and manageable without excessive annotations
Data Source
AI summary
A method of verifying consistency between a circuit schematic and a corresponding integrated circuit layout is disclosed. The method includes identifying a voltage condition associated with a portion of the circuit schematic, and assigning a pseudo diode to the portion of the circuit schematic that is uniquely associated with the identified voltage condition. The method further includes coding a pseudo layer associated with an integrated circuit layout of the circuit schematic in accordance with content of the assigned pseudo diode, and verifying consistency between the circuit schematic and the corresponding integrated circuit layout by extracting the pseudo layer from the integrated circuit layout and comparing information of the pseudo layer to the assigned pseudo diode in the circuit schematic.