Standard Cell Boundary Conflict Resolution via Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing integrated circuit layout generation methods are limited by the need for compatible boundary regions between standard cells, which restricts flexibility in cell placement and routing, leading to increased area and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method that allows for the placement of standard cells with incompatible boundary regions adjacent to each other, followed by a mapping step to resolve these conflicts by replacing incompatible boundary regions with alternative ones, thereby reducing the need for filler regions and enhancing routing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If incompatible boundary regions are placed adjacent to each other in standard cells, then flexibility in cell placement and routing is improved, but boundary conflicts arise that cannot be resolved without filler regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in cell placement and routingVSAvoidboundary conflicts between adjacent cells

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The boundary regions of standard cells are segmented into multiple types (first boundary region, second boundary region, third boundary region) with different compatibility characteristics. This segmentation allows the placement tool to identify and handle incompatible boundaries separately, enabling flexible placement while systematically managing boundary conflicts through targeted filler region insertion only where necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Filler regions are introduced as intermediary elements between incompatible boundary regions of adjacent standard cells. These filler regions act as mediators that resolve boundary conflicts by providing compatible interface regions, allowing cells with incompatible boundaries to be placed adjacent to each other while maintaining design rule compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If filler regions are inserted between incompatible boundary regions, then boundary conflicts are resolved, but the area of the integrated circuit layout increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboundary conflict resolutionVSAvoidarea of integrated circuit layout

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly inserting filler regions throughout the layout, the invention applies filler regions only locally at specific positions where boundary conflicts occur between adjacent standard cells. This localized approach minimizes the total area occupied by filler regions while effectively resolving boundary conflicts, thereby reducing the overall circuit layout area compared to blanket filler insertion methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If boundary region compatibility is enforced during cell placement, then boundary conflicts are avoided, but flexibility in cell placement and routing is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboundary conflict avoidanceVSAvoidflexibility in cell placement and routing

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a dynamic two-stage approach: first, standard cells are placed with flexible positioning without strict boundary compatibility constraints, allowing maximum placement freedom; second, boundary conflicts are identified and resolved in a subsequent refinement stage by inserting filler regions only where needed. This dynamic process maintains high placement flexibility while ensuring final boundary compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The placement of standard cells is performed as a preliminary action before boundary conflict resolution. Cells are initially placed based on functional and routing requirements without considering boundary compatibility, maximizing placement flexibility. The boundary conflict resolution with filler region insertion is then performed as a subsequent preliminary refinement step, ensuring that the main placement flexibility is preserved while conflicts are systematically resolved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8959472B1Considering compatibility of adjacent boundary regions for standard cells placement and routing

Publication Date: 2015.02.17 ARM LTD

AI summary

A method of generating an integrated circuit layout comprises a step of determining a placement of standard cells selected from a standard cell library while permitting boundary conflicts in which incompatible boundary regions of standard cells are placed next to each other. After determining routing connections between the standard cells, the integrated circuit layout is generated. The generation of the integrated circuit layout includes a mapping step of mapping at least one incompatible boundary region to an alternative boundary region to resolve at least one boundary conflict.