Modification of integrated circuits
OwnerTimothy James Reganinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for modifying the design of integrated circuits includes the steps of mapping cells of an old circuit against a library of new cells (134) and replacing at least some of the old cells with new cells having the same logical function as the old cells (156), while maintaining the electrical connections between those cells. The geometry of the electrical connections between the cells is then re-routed (168).
Claims17
A process for modifying the design of integrated circuits, said process including the steps of mapping electrical components of an old circuit against a library of new components, replacing at least some of the old components with new components having the same logical function as the old components while maintaining the electrical connections between those components, and subsequently adjusting the routing geometry of the electrical connections.
A process according to any one of the preceding claims including analysing and comparing the function and timing of the old components and the new components, and selecting the new components used to replace to old components on the basis of that comparison.
A process according to any one of the preceding claims, including scaling the circuit by a general scaling factor.
A process according to any one of the preceding claims, including scaling portions of the circuit by different scaling factors.
A process according to any one of the preceding claims, including replacing the via cells.
A process according to any one of the preceding claims, including adding feedthrough points.
A process according to any one of the preceding claims, including adjusting the positions of the electrical components.
A process according to any one of the preceding claims, including adding or removing routing layers.
A process according to any one of the preceding claims, including re-routing interconnect shapes to meet the connection points of new circuit components.
A process according to any one of the preceding claims, including moving electrical connections from one routing layer to another.
A process according to any one of the preceding claims, including compacting the circuit.
A process according to any one of the preceding claims, including verifying the circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.