Standard Cell Row Arrangement for Mixed-Height Layout Compaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing standard cell layout technologies face challenges in efficiently arranging standard cells with mixed cell heights, which affects the total height along the column direction of the semiconductor device.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves arranging standard cells with different cell heights in alternating rows or adjacent rows, where the cell height of each group of standard cells is determined by the number and pitch of active and dummy fin structures or metal wirings, allowing for a reduced total height in the column direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If standard cells with uniform cell heights are arranged in rows, then the layout is simple and easy to manufacture, but the total height along the column direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments standard cells into different groups based on their cell heights. Each group contains standard cells with the same height, allowing them to be arranged in separate rows. This segmentation enables mixed-height arrangements while maintaining manufacturing simplicity within each homogeneous row, thereby reducing the total height along the column direction without significantly increasing layout complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different rows to have different cell heights according to the specific functional requirements of each row. Instead of enforcing uniform cell heights across the entire device, each row can be optimized locally with appropriate cell heights, reducing the overall column height while maintaining the necessary complexity only where required.
2Length of stationary object
If standard cells with mixed cell heights are arranged in alternating rows, then the total height is reduced, but the arrangement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments standard cells into groups with identical cell heights within each row. This segmentation ensures that while rows may have different heights (mixed-height arrangement), each individual row maintains uniform cell heights, simplifying the manufacturing process for each row while achieving reduced total height through the alternating pattern of different row heights.
3Productivity
If standard cells are arranged with optimized cell heights, then design efficiency is improved, but the determination of cell height becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cell height determination process into discrete groups based on the number and pitch of active and dummy fin structures or metal wirings. By categorizing cells into specific height groups rather than allowing continuous height variations, the design efficiency is improved through standardized height selection, while the complexity is managed by limiting the number of discrete height options that need to be determined.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of standard cells. The plurality of standard cells include a first group of standard cells arranged in a first row extending in a row direction and a second group of standard cells arranged in a second row extending in the row direction. The first group of standard cells and the second group of standard cells are arranged in a column direction. A cell height of the first group of standard cells in the column direction is different from a cell height of the second group of standard cells in the column direction.