Integrated circuit layout method, device, and system

An integrated circuit (IC) device comprising:

• a plurality of active areas, each active area of the plurality of active areas extending in a first direction;
• and
• a first gate structure extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first gate structure overlying each active area of the plurality of active areas,
• wherein
• a first active area of the plurality of active areas is between a second active area of the plurality of active areas and a third active area of the plurality of active areas,
• the first active area of the plurality of active areas extends across the first gate structure, and
• the first gate structure overlies an edge of each of the second active area of the plurality of active areas and the third active area of the plurality of active areas.

An electronic design automation (EDA) system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a non-transitory, computer readable storage medium including computer program code for one or more programs, the non-transitory, computer readable storage medium and the computer program code being configured to, with the processor, cause the system to:
• receive a layout diagram of a first cell having a first boundary including a boundary protrusion;
• receive a layout diagram of a second cell having a second boundary including a boundary recess;
• fit the boundary protrusion within the boundary recess by aligning each of the first and second cells based on a gate track;
• and
• store an IC layout diagram in a storage device, the IC layout diagram including the first cell aligned with the second cell.