Standard Cell Variations for IC Placement Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic design automation (EDA) tools face challenges in efficiently placing smaller standard cells on integrated circuits (ICs) due to the larger real estate occupied by larger standard cells, leading to reduced space for smaller cells and potential non-compliance with electronic design constraints.
Innovation Solution
The development of multiple standard cell libraries that include standard cells and variations with similar functionality but differing in geometric shapes, locations, and interconnections, allowing the placement and routing application to selectively choose variations that satisfy electronic design constraints without expanding the IC real estate, thereby optimizing the placement of both larger and smaller cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If larger standard cells are placed onto the IC substrate before smaller standard cells, then the placement process follows conventional sequencing, but the real estate available for smaller standard cells is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiple standard cell libraries with varying parameters including different geometric shapes, locations, and interconnections for standard cells with similar functionality. This allows the placement tool to select from multiple configurations to optimize space utilization and satisfy design constraints without expanding the IC substrate.
2Area of stationary object
If the IC substrate is expanded to enlarge real estate for smaller standard cells, then more space is available for cell placement, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of expanding the substrate, the patent changes the parameters of the standard cells themselves by providing multiple libraries with different geometric shapes and configurations. This allows optimization of space utilization within the existing substrate boundaries, reducing the need for substrate expansion while maintaining adequate real estate for all standard cells.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple standard cell libraries with variations are used, then placement flexibility and constraint satisfaction improve, but the complexity of the standard cell library increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages library complexity by systematically varying specific parameters (geometric shapes, locations, interconnections) of standard cells while maintaining functional equivalence. This structured approach to parameter variation provides placement flexibility without creating unmanageable library complexity, as the variations follow defined patterns and constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
Standard cell libraries include one or more standard cells and one or more corresponding standard cell variations. The one or more standard cell variations are different from their one or more standard cells in terms of geometric shapes, locations of the geometric shapes, and/or interconnections between the geometric shapes. The exemplary systems and methods described herein selectively choose from among the one or more standard cells and/or the one or more standard cell variations to form an electronic architectural design for an electronic device. In some situations, some of the one or more standard cells are unable to satisfy one or more electronic design constraints imposed by a semiconductor foundry and/or semiconductor technology node when placed onto the electronic device design real estate. In these situations, the one or more standard cell variations corresponding to these standard cells are placed onto the electronic device design real estate.