Power distribution networks (PDNs) using hybrid grid and pillar arrangements

A method to design an integrated circuit (IC), comprising:

• analyzing an initial placement of active elements in an IC design where the initial placement includes an initial power distribution network (PDN) based on one or more initial criteria;
• determining current densities for regions of the initial placement with the initial PDN;
• ranking the regions based on the current densities and one or more additional criteria;
• for a first region, identifying a neighbor region;
• and
• inserting one or more grid structures in the initial PDN, where the one or more grid structures are positioned in a metal layer proximate an active layer within the first region and extending into the neighbor region to alleviate thermal activity in the first region.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

• analyze an initial placement of active elements in an IC design where the initial placement includes an initial power distribution network (PDN) based on one or more initial criteria;
• determine current densities for regions of the initial placement with the initial PDN;
• rank the regions based on the current densities and one or more additional criteria;
• for a first region, identify a neighbor region;
• and
• insert one or more grid structures in the initial PDN, where the one or more grid structures are positioned in a metal layer proximate an active layer within the first region and extending into the neighbor region to alleviate thermal activity in the first region.