Automated Wiring Router for IC Process Variation Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated circuit (IC) design faces challenges in ensuring that device segments have a common centroid layout to mitigate process variations and wiring mismatches, which can lead to mechanical stresses and performance issues during manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

An automatic wiring router system that generates matched wiring layouts by defining paths with similar localized metal patterns around each device segment, selecting from redundancy topologies like full, one-third, and zero redundancy to minimize mismatches and process variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual wiring drawing is used to achieve matched wiring patterns, then wiring precision and circuit reliability are improved, but design time and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiring pattern matching precisionVSAvoiddesign time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical wiring drawing with an automated computer-based system that uses algorithms to generate matched wiring patterns. The system automatically routes wires through defined channels and applies wiring templates, eliminating manual intervention while maintaining wiring precision through computational methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wiring router system performs self-service by automatically generating wiring layouts without requiring manual drawing. The system uses predefined wiring templates and algorithms to autonomously create matched wiring patterns, reducing dependency on designer skill and time while maintaining consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automatic wiring router is used to generate wiring layout quickly, then productivity is improved, but wiring pattern matching precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiring generation speedVSAvoidwiring pattern matching precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of the wiring generation process by using predefined wiring templates that specify exact wiring patterns, channel definitions, and routing rules. These parameterized templates ensure that automated wiring generation produces matched patterns consistent with manual design standards, maintaining precision while achieving automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses wiring templates as reusable copies of proven wiring patterns. These templates are applied repeatedly across different circuit elements, ensuring consistency and matching precision without requiring manual redrawing. The template copying mechanism preserves the integrity of matched wiring patterns while enabling rapid automated generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional iterative wiring router is used to handle complex wiring topology, then adaptability is improved, but design time and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling of complex wiring topologyVSAvoiddesign time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining wiring templates, channel definitions, and routing rules before the actual wiring generation process. These pre-configured elements allow the system to handle complex wiring topologies efficiently without requiring iterative trial-and-error adjustments during the design phase, significantly reducing design time while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The wiring design is segmented into modular components including wiring templates, channel definitions, and routing rules. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex topologies by breaking them down into manageable segments that can be processed independently and combined, improving both adaptability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If wiring router does not ensure full wiring matching, then productivity is improved, but circuit reliability deteriorates due to mechanical stresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiring layout generation efficiencyVSAvoidcircuit reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms that verify wiring pattern matching during the automated routing process. The system checks whether generated wiring patterns conform to the defined templates and matching criteria, providing feedback that ensures reliability requirements are met while maintaining productivity through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7958467B2Deterministic system and method for generating wiring layouts for integrated circuits

Publication Date: 2011.06.07 ADTRAN INC

AI summary

The present disclosure generally pertains to automatic wiring systems and methods for generating wiring layouts for integrated circuits. In one exemplary embodiment, a wiring router ensures that the wiring for multiple device segments is matched. That is, the wiring router defines the wiring paths such that the same or substantially similar localized metal patterns exist around each of the device segments. Thus, when an integrated circuit (IC) chip is manufactured according to the wiring layout, the IC chip should be less susceptible to the effects of process variations.