Tessellated Routing Space Labeling for IC Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic design automation tools are unable to tessellate and label routing spaces effectively, particularly for advanced manufacturing requirements such as region-based track patterns and complex grid constraints, which are essential for precise routing in integrated circuit design.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for tessellating and labeling routing space by creating multiple regions on a layer, determining initial and tentative track pattern labels, and performing routing based on these labels, allowing for dynamic adjustment of routing grids and track patterns to accommodate varying demands and constraints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional uniform track patterns are used across the entire layout space, then the routing process is simple and consistent, but it cannot satisfy advanced manufacturing requirements for region-based track patterns and complex grid constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle region-based track patterns and complex grid constraintsVSAvoidcomplexity of routing space management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The routing space is divided into multiple tessellated regions, each independently labeled with specific track pattern information. This segmentation allows different regions to have different track patterns (e.g., uniform vs. non-uniform) while maintaining overall system manageability through systematic region identification and labeling mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each tessellated region is assigned local track pattern labels that define specific routing characteristics for that region only. This enables region-based customization where certain areas can have non-uniform track patterns or complex grid constraints while other regions maintain uniform patterns, allowing local optimization without affecting the entire layout

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If region-based track patterns with multiple labels are implemented, then precise routing control for advanced manufacturing is achieved, but the complexity of determining and managing track pattern labels increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of routing controlVSAvoidcomplexity of track pattern label management

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Track pattern labels are determined and assigned to tessellated regions before the actual routing process begins. This preliminary labeling establishes the routing constraints and characteristics for each region in advance, allowing the routing algorithm to operate with predefined guidance rather than determining labels during routing, thus reducing real-time complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically determines and assigns track pattern labels to regions based on pre-defined criteria and manufacturing requirements, reducing manual intervention. The labeling process is integrated into the tessellation mechanism, where regions self-organize with appropriate labels based on their spatial and functional characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If tessellated regions with multiple track pattern labels are used, then the ability to satisfy complex routing demands is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring routing space characteristics increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to satisfy complex routing demandsVSAvoiddifficulty of identifying track pattern labels

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Different track pattern labels are represented using distinct visual identifiers (analogous to color changes) that make them easily distinguishable. This visualization approach allows users and algorithms to quickly identify and differentiate between various track pattern types in different regions without complex analysis, transforming abstract label information into perceptible visual characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS9165103B1Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for tessellating and labeling routing space for routing electronic designs

Publication Date: 2015.10.20 CADENCE DESIGN SYST INC

AI summary

Various aspects described herein create tessellated regions by identifying tessellation lines in one or more directions based at least on fixed shape(s) or route(s). New cells or shapes are added to the design by aligning at least some of the boundary segments of the new cells or shapes with existing tessellation lines. Tessellation lines are dynamically adjustable. At least some tessellated regions are associated with initial or tentative track pattern labels some of which are iteratively updated during implementation of the design. Multiple candidate track patterns may be ranked based on consistency costs to determine a tentative track pattern. Designs may be implemented with a trackless approach in trackless region(s) followed by a tracked approach based at least in part upon the initial or tentative labels that are dynamically adjusted during implementation. Capacities and demands are assessed at boundary segments of cells by using the tracked or trackless approach.