Must-Join Pin Sign-Off Method

A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executable program for, when being executed by a processor, implementing a method for detecting unacceptable connection patterns, comprising:

• performing an automated place-and-route (APR) process on a circuit layout that comprises a first standard cell without a marker layer to generate a circuit graphic database system (GDS) file from the circuit layout;
• generating a standard-cell GDS file that comprises a second standard cell with at least one marker layer applied to the second standard cell;
• merging the circuit GDS file with the standard-cell GDS file to generate a merged GDS file that comprises the first standard cell with at least one marker layer based on the second standard cell;
• and
• determining whether a connection pattern of the first standard cell in the merged GDS file is an unacceptable connection pattern.

A computer system for detecting unacceptable connection patterns in a graphic database system (GDS) file, comprising:

• a memory configured for storing a program and data for detecting unacceptable connection patterns;
• an interface configured for receiving information;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• perform an automated place-and-route (APR) process on a circuit layout that comprises a first standard cell without a marker layer to generate a circuit graphic database system (GDS) file from the circuit layout;
• generate a standard-cell GDS file that comprises a second standard cell with at least one marker layer applied to the second standard cell;
• merge the circuit GDS file with the standard-cell GDS file to generate a merged GDS file that comprises the first standard cell with at least one marker layer based on the second standard cell;
• and
• determine whether a connection pattern of the first standard cell in the merged GDS file is an unacceptable connection pattern.