SMT-Based Intra-Cell Layout Generation for Multi-Height ICs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing EDA tools struggle with designing integrated circuits (ICs) that include multi-height cells, as the process is largely manual, time-consuming, and prone to human error, leading to productivity disadvantages and inconsistencies in design quality.
Innovation Solution
An electronic design automation tool and method that utilize Satisfiability Modulo Theory (SMT) to automate the placement and routing of intra-cell devices in ICs, including multi-height cells, by translating design inputs into SMT problems, using SMT solvers to generate layouts, and repeating the process until desired metrics are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual methods are used to design cells including multi-height cells, then design flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but productivity is reduced and design time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical drawing methods with an automated computer-based system that uses constraint satisfaction algorithms. The system automatically generates cell layouts by solving constraints related to device placement, routing, and design rules, eliminating the need for manual polygon drawing and significantly reducing design time while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the approach from fixed manual parameters to variable constraint-based parameters. By using constraint satisfaction, the system can adapt to different cell types (single-height and multi-height cells) and design requirements through parameter modification rather than manual redrawing, enabling automated generation of optimized layouts.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual methods are used for cell design, then design adaptability is maintained, but consistency and quality diminish due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual operations with an automated constraint satisfaction system that consistently applies design rules and generates uniform layouts. The system eliminates human error in polygon drawing and ensures consistent application of design rules across all cells, improving manufacturing precision and design quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification and self-correction by automatically checking constraint satisfaction and generating valid layouts without human intervention. The constraint satisfaction process inherently ensures consistency and quality by verifying all design rules are met, eliminating the need for manual review and reducing operational complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing EDA tools are used for single-height cells, then automation is available, but the tools fail to handle multi-height cells effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal cell design system that can handle both single-height and multi-height cells using the same constraint satisfaction framework. The system is designed to be multi-functional, accommodating different cell types through unified constraint-based approaches, thereby achieving versatility without sacrificing design efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes to adapt the constraint satisfaction algorithms to different cell types. By modifying parameters such as cell height, device placement constraints, and routing rules, the same automated system can efficiently generate layouts for both single-height and multi-height cells, achieving both versatility and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic design automation tool and method of operating the same are provided for placement and routing of intra-cell devices in integrated circuits (ICs). Generally the method includes: receiving inputs, creating an instance of a Satisfiability Modulo Theory (SMT) problem for placement and routing by translating the inputs into a set of SMT constraints relating to the placement of intra-cell transistors and routing for interconnects to intra-cell transistors, calling a SMT solver and using the set of SMT constraints generating a solution to the SMT problem, and if the solution satisfies requirements of the inputs and a predetermined area requirement specified by a user, creating and outputting a layout for placement and routing of intra-cell transistors in the IC. The process may be repeated until a predetermined number of ranked solutions or an optimal solution is found. Other embodiments are also disclosed.