Automated Track Pattern Generation for Circuit Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of design rules in electronic circuit designs, particularly with self-aligned double patterning processes, makes it difficult to manually determine legal track patterns and interconnect circuit components efficiently, especially when multiple legal widths and repetitive patterns are involved.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that use a computer to identify source and destination pins, determine transition patterns using legal combinations of track widths, and interconnect them by employing dummy tracks and pins to comply with design rules, while also compacting the design to satisfy width and length requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual methods are used to determine legal track patterns, then design flexibility is maintained, but the complexity and time required to figure out legal combinations of tracks increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of determining legal track patternsVSAvoidtime to manually figure out track combinations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically generating legal track patterns through computer-executable instructions that enumerate all possible track combinations, determine their legality according to design rules, and store them in databases without requiring manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis with automated computer-based systems that use algorithms to enumerate, evaluate, and store legal track patterns, substituting human cognitive effort with computational processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of legal track widths increases to meet design requirements, then design versatility improves, but the complexity of determining legal track patterns becomes nearly impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of legal track widthsVSAvoidcomplexity of determining legal track patterns

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex problem of determining legal track patterns by breaking it down into discrete components: enumerating individual track combinations, evaluating each against design rules, and storing results in structured databases, making the overall system manageable despite handling many track widths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary databases that store pre-computed legal track patterns, serving as a mediator between the complex design rules and the actual routing process, thereby simplifying the interaction between design versatility and complexity management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If repetitive track patterns are used to simplify design, then design efficiency improves, but ensuring compliance with design rules across all repetitions becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign efficiency with repetitive patternsVSAvoidcompliance with design rules in repetitive patterns

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining and storing legal track patterns in databases before the actual routing process, so that when repetitive patterns are used, compliance with design rules is already verified in advance, ensuring reliability while maintaining efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If automated systems are used to generate legal track patterns, then productivity and accuracy improve, but the extent of automation increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of generating track patternsVSAvoidcomplexity of automated generation system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal automated system that handles multiple functions: enumerating track combinations, evaluating design rules, generating patterns, and storing results in databases, thereby managing system complexity through multi-functionality while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9396301B1Method, system, and computer program product for interconnecting circuit components with track patterns for electronic circuit designs

Publication Date: 2016.07.19 CADENCE DESIGN SYST INC

AI summary

Methods and systems for interconnecting circuit components with track patterns are disclosed. The method identifies a source pin on a first track and a destination pin on a second track and determines a third track in a different routing direction based on design rules governing track patterns. The method further determines a transition pattern for the interconnection between the source pin and the destination pin by using at least the third track. The method may use one or more dummy pins or ordering of pin connections in implementing the interconnection to satisfy certain design rules. The lengths of some wire segments of the interconnection may be further adjusted to satisfy certain design rules. Compaction may be performed to have two wire segments share the same track while the lengths or widths of one or both wire segments may be further modified to ensure design rule compliance.