Integrated circuit design methodology using phantom design without physical view

Abstract

Techniques for providing a representation of densities of layer material in an integrated circuit layout design without revealing actual layout design data to protect a vendor's proprietary design data are described. The representation of the density information is used to reduce or eliminate density violations at borders of distinct portions of the integrated circuit design. By exchanging standardized data in a density view database, the techniques described herein can be independent of the vendor. A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit includes generating a design density view database representing a first integrated circuit layout design by using layer density information associated with the first integrated circuit layout design as a proxy for actual layout design information.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.