Voxel-Based Electromagnetic IC Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional integrated circuit routing algorithms face challenges in optimizing wiring routes for very large-scale integrated circuits due to complexity, limited to Manhattan geometry, and inefficiencies in both efficiency and geometry, particularly in handling manufacturing design rules.
Innovation Solution
A voxel-based electromagnetic-aware router that uses first principles to generate wiring routes by correlating macroscopic features of integrated circuits with local properties of individual voxels, allowing for iterative optimization and free-form non-Manhattan routing geometry, while ensuring manufacturability and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional multi-dimensional grid-based graph-search routing algorithms are used, then routing paths can be generated following manufacturing design rules, but the routing is limited to Manhattan geometry (vertical and horizontal straight lines) and processes routes sequentially, reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the integrated circuit design space into a three-dimensional voxel grid, where each voxel represents a discrete volumetric element. This segmentation enables parallel processing of routing paths across multiple voxels simultaneously, breaking the sequential bottleneck while maintaining manufacturing rule compliance through localized voxel-based constraint checking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional Manhattan routing to three-dimensional free-form routing by utilizing the vertical dimension and allowing non-orthogonal path geometries. This dimensional expansion enables simultaneous routing of multiple nets in three-dimensional space, improving productivity while still adhering to manufacturing design rules through voxel-based geometric constraints.
2Manufacturing precision
If detailed routing determines exact wiring routes with grid superimposition, then precise routing paths are achieved, but the process is sequential and limited in geometry, reducing overall routing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical grid-based graph-search algorithm with a field-theory-based approach using electromagnetic field simulations. This substitution allows parallel computation of routing paths through field solving techniques, achieving both precise routing paths and improved productivity by eliminating the sequential nature of traditional graph-search methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the routing system by transitioning from discrete grid cell transitions to continuous three-dimensional spatial paths. This parameter change enables simultaneous path generation for multiple nets while maintaining manufacturing precision through electromagnetic field-based optimization that naturally satisfies design rules.
3Ease of operation
If global routing partitions the graph into tiles and finds tile-to-tile paths, then general routing paths are planned, but the approach cannot simultaneously route all nets and is limited by the partitioning structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal three-dimensional voxel-based routing framework that can simultaneously handle multiple nets and different routing objectives. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate global and detailed routing stages, allowing simultaneous multi-net routing while maintaining ease of path planning through unified electromagnetic field-based optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for integrated circuit routing is described. The computer-implemented method comprising receiving a description of interconnected terminals of an integrated circuit with a wiring route electrically coupling the interconnected terminals and configuring a simulated environment defined via a plurality of voxels based on the description. The individual voxels included in the plurality of voxels each correspond to a spatial representation for a corresponding region of a layout associated with the integrated circuit. The computer-implemented method further includes determining local contributions of the individual voxels to a characteristic metric of the integrated circuit based on an electromagnetic simulation of the integrated circuit and revising the wiring route based on the local contributions of the individual voxels.