Standard Cell Layout Generation Using Leaf Cell Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual creation of standard cell layouts is time-consuming and inefficient, especially with the constant need for new designs and modifications in integrated circuits, as hundreds of different types of standard cells require extensive layout generation and updating.
Innovation Solution
A method that analyzes a circuit to select and piece together multiple simple leaf cell layouts to form a standard cell layout, reducing creation time and improving efficiency by using a library of leaf cell layouts and performing routing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual creation method is used for each standard cell layout, then layout precision and customization are improved, but layout creation time and work量和 increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments standard cell layouts into reusable library components (buffers, logic gates, wires, contact holes, etc.). Each component is designed once and stored in a library, then selected and assembled automatically to form complete standard cell layouts, resolving the contradiction between precision and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary design of standard cell components by manually creating and storing them in a library before actual layout generation. This preliminary action allows subsequent layouts to be generated automatically by assembling pre-designed components, eliminating repeated manual work while maintaining design quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If new standard cells are designed continuously to meet new functionality requirements, then adaptability and functionality are improved, but layout creation time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal library of standard cell components that can be reused across different standard cell designs. The same library components (buffers, logic gates, contact holes) serve multiple functions and can be assembled to create various standard cells, enabling continuous adaptation to new functionality requirements without proportional increases in layout creation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a hierarchical structure where standard cell components are nested within larger standard cell layouts, which themselves can be nested within integrated circuit designs. This nesting allows components to be reused at multiple levels and across different designs, improving adaptability while reducing redundant work.
3Ease of operation
If conventional layout generation methods are used, then design flexibility is maintained, but standard cell layout area increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments layouts into standardized components with defined geometries and spacing rules. This segmentation enables compact arrangement and optimization of component placement, reducing overall layout area while maintaining design flexibility through component selection and arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key layout parameters by establishing standardized component dimensions, spacing, and arrangement rules. These parameter standardizations enable more compact layouts compared to conventional flexible design approaches, reducing layout area while preserving essential design flexibility through parameter selection.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating a standard cell layout includes analyzing a circuit of a standard cell layout and obtaining an analysis result, selecting a plurality of leaf cell layout according to the analysis result, and piecing together the leaf cell layouts to generate the standard cell layout.