Timing-Aware Power Grid Tiles for IR Drop and Electromigration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In integrated circuit design, existing power grid generation methods face challenges in achieving robust voltage regulation and reliable operation due to excessive voltage drops and noise, which degrade performance and lead to functional failures, especially in high-performance chips where large amounts of power are distributed through multiple metal layers with unknowns until late in the design cycle.
Innovation Solution
The method involves region-based power grid generation through modification of an initial power grid based on timing analysis, where power tiles are defined within a power distribution network, and local power grid patterns are selected and optimized based on timing characteristics, reducing the number of connectors to minimize voltage drop and electromigration, while ensuring reliable power supply to logic gates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dense power grid with many connectors is used, then voltage regulation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution network is divided into discrete power tiles, each independently analyzed and optimized. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliable voltage regulation in each tile without requiring a uniformly dense grid across the entire chip, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different power grid patterns are applied to different power tiles based on their specific timing and power requirements. This local optimization ensures that each region receives the appropriate level of connectivity needed for its function, avoiding unnecessary complexity in regions where fewer connectors suffice.
2Manufacturing precision
If CPU-intensive IR drop analysis is performed late in the design cycle, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Timing analysis is performed in advance during the placement stage, before final routing and manufacturing. This preliminary analysis provides early insights into power and timing characteristics, enabling designers to make informed decisions about power grid configuration without delaying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
A simplified power tile model serves as an intermediary representation that captures essential timing and power characteristics without requiring full-scale IR drop analysis. This model enables early-stage optimization while maintaining accuracy sufficient for design decisions.
3Loss of energy
If the number of connectors is reduced, then loss of energy is decreased, but voltage drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes power grid patterns by adjusting parameters such as connector spacing, power rail dimensions, and tile boundaries. These parameter changes enable the system to reduce the number of connectors and minimize power loss while maintaining voltage stability through carefully tuned grid characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The power grid design accommodates dynamic power and timing requirements by allowing different power tile configurations. Regions with higher dynamic activity can be allocated power tiles with denser connectivity, while quieter regions use sparser grids, optimizing the balance between power loss and voltage stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments for power generation include defining a power tile within a power distribution network having a grid of power rails, the power tile having logic gates, and applying an initial power grid pattern from a plurality of power grid patterns for the power tile such that initial power grid pattern relates to timing characteristics of the logic gates of the power tile. The power grid patterns each have a different number of connectors connecting one power rail to another power rail in the grid of power rails. A subsequent power grid pattern is selected from the power grid patterns for the power tile such that the subsequent power grid pattern meets a threshold condition for the timing characteristics of the logic gates of the power tile. The timing characteristics for the logic gates are determined based on a voltage drop associated with the subsequent power grid pattern.