Semiconductor Device Layout System Standard Cell Library
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in semiconductor device design is to minimize the area of integrated circuit cells while optimizing transistor locations, signal routing paths, and interconnection layouts to increase integration density and reduce power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor device incorporates a specific arrangement of transistors gated by input signals and shared gates, with metal layers at different levels for electrical connections, optimizing layout and reducing area and power consumption by minimizing parasitic capacitance and resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the area of cell is minimized to increase integration density, then integration density is improved, but layout optimization of transistors and interconnections becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the layout optimization of multiple transistors and interconnections into a unified standardized cell structure. By combining transistors, power rails, and signal routing into pre-defined standard cells with fixed geometries and standardized interconnection patterns, the design process simplifies while achieving high integration density through efficient space utilization.
2Area of stationary object
If transistor locations and interconnection shapes are optimized to minimize area, then cell area is reduced, but power consumption increases due to parasitic capacitance and resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing specific regions of the cell layout to minimize parasitic effects. Power rails are positioned and dimensioned locally to reduce resistance, while interconnection shapes are tailored locally to minimize capacitance. The standardized cell structure allows these local optimizations to be systematically applied across the entire circuit while maintaining compact area.
3Productivity
If standard cell library is used for designing semiconductor devices, then design productivity is improved, but flexibility in layout customization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates universally applicable standard cells that can be used in multiple design contexts. The standardized geometries and interconnection patterns are designed to be multi-functional, allowing the same cell library to serve various circuit requirements while maintaining design productivity. The universal interface standards enable flexible customization at the system level without sacrificing individual cell optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first transistor gated by an inverted voltage level of a first input signal to pull up a first node, a second transistor gated by a voltage level of a second input signal to pull down the first node, a third transistor gated by an inverted voltage level of the second input signal to pull up the first node, a fourth transistor gated by a voltage level of the first input signal to pull down the first node, a fifth transistor gated by the voltage level of the second input signal to pull down a second node, a sixth transistor gated by the inverted voltage level of the first input signal to pull up the second node, a seventh transistor gated by the voltage level of the first input signal to pull down the second node, and an eighth transistor gated by the inverted voltage level of the second input signal to pull up the second node.