Structural Routing for Semiconductor IC Topology Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional routing methods for semiconductor integrated circuits lack effective structural control and efficiency, particularly during the detail routing stage, where topology controls are often lost, and manual processing is required, making it difficult to maintain the intended topological structure in complex designs.
Innovation Solution
A structural routing approach that captures users' design intent about the topology and adheres to it throughout the layout process, using a tree-based routing mechanism to generate a complete routing tree, which includes user-provided constraints for trunk and twig structures, and a congestion-driven fish-bone-style router for custom-digital/memory-style designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional two-staged routing (global routing followed by detail routing) is used, then routing can be completed in a structured manner, but topology controls are lost during detail routing and manual processing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing the complete routing topology structure during the global routing stage before detail routing begins. The router generates a comprehensive routing plan that defines all connection paths, segments, and topological relationships in advance, ensuring topology controls are preserved throughout subsequent detail routing operations without requiring manual intervention.
2Ease of manufacture
If area-based routing is used to handle routing activities in each area independently, then local routing can be thoroughly handled, but structural control over overall topology is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the routing process into hierarchical levels where the overall topology is segmented into major routing regions and paths during global routing, while maintaining control over the global topological structure. Each segment is then processed independently during detail routing, ensuring both local routing thoroughness and global topology stability are achieved.
3Stability of the object's composition
If structural routing with upfront topology structure is used, then topology control can be maintained, but manual processing is required which is problematic for complex modern designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing an automated router that independently performs both global routing and detail routing operations. The routing system automatically generates the complete routing topology, performs congestion analysis, and executes detail routing without requiring manual user intervention, thereby maintaining topology structure stability while eliminating manual processing complexity even for modern complex designs.
4Productivity
If conventional routers with separation between global router and detail router are used, then routing can be performed in distinct stages, but effective and efficient interaction between the two types of routers is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the global routing and detail routing functions into a single unified router system. This combined router can perform both global topology planning and detailed path execution with seamless interaction between the two functional components, enabling efficient information exchange and coordinated optimization that improves overall routing productivity while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is an improved approach to implement routing for electrical designs. A structural routing solution is provided, where an automatic routing mechanism is implemented to generate a complete routing tree. The approach captures users' design intent about the topology, and the routing system adhere to that topology intent throughout the layout process.