Multi-level large scale complex integrated circuit having functional interconnected circuit routed to master patterns

A complex integrated circuit structure in a single body which defines a configuration at least of circuit locations and electrical routings that are the same in location for all other circuit structures capable of performing a particular electrical function, the structure comprising:

• an array of cells of which some are usable and the remainder are nonusable, each of said cells having a plurality of signal-connects, said cell array having random positions of said usable and nonusable cells, said cell including a plurality of said usable cells selected from any of said usable cells irrespective of the random positions and being at least equal in number to the number of usable cells required to perform the electrical function;
• said selected usable cells being interconnected for performing the electrical function by a plurality of interconnection layers including at least first and second interconnection layers of first interconnections and second interconnections respectively;
• at least a first dielectric layer between said first interconnection layer and said signal-connects of said cells, said first dielectric layer having means therein for defining a plurality of first apertures, each of said first aperture means being aligned in registry with each of said signal-connects of said selected usable cells, each of said first interconnections extending through each of said first aperture means of said first dielectric layer and connected to each of said signal-connects of said selected usable cells, said first dielectric layer covering and otherwise electrically insulating said usable and nonusable cells and said signal-connects of said usable cells not selected from said cell array;
• a second dielectric layer between said first interconnection layer and said second interconnection layer, said second dielectric layer having means therein for defining a plurality of second apertures, each of said second interconnections extending through each of said second aperture means of said second dielectric layer into connection with at least each of said first interconnections of said first interconnection layer, for interconnecting said second interconnection layer to said selected usable cells, and for interconnecting each of said second interconnections respectively to at least each of said signal-connects of at least one of said selected usable cells by at least one continuous substantially vertically extending interconnection path from said second interconnection layer through said first and second aperture means of said dielectric layers;
• and
• said first interconnections terminating in locations of circuits defined by said second aperture means and corresponding to the configuration of the circuit locations which are the same for all the other circuit structures for performing the electrical function, and at least two of said selected usable cells interconnected to each other by means for defining the routings contained entirely within said first interconnection layer for coupling at least one of said second interconnections to said routing means, said routing means corresponding to the configuration of the electrical routings which is the same for all the other circuit structures for performing the electrical function.

A plurality of integrated circuit members each capable of performing the same electrical function, and each comprising:

• a plurality of functionally separate circuits on each of said circuit members in which some of said circuits are operable and the remainder are inoperable and in which the operable and the inoperable circuits are randomly positioned on each of said circuit members in a first level of metalization, each of said functionally separate circuits having means for defining a plurality of primary signal-connects associated therewith, said functionally separate operable circuits including a number of said operable circuits selected from any of said operable circuits irrespective of the positions of said operable circuits and at least being capable of performing the electrical function;
• means for defining a plurality of secondary signal-connects at a second level of metalization otherwise electrically isolated from said functionally separate circuits and said primary signal-connects by means for defining electrical insulation having means therethrough for defining vias, said secondary signal-connect means being interconnected there-amongst for partially integrating said selected operable circuits into the electrical function and having locations identical among all of said circuit members, in which some of the identical locations are spaced substantially laterally from and others thereof are positioned substantially directly above said primary signal-connect means of said selected operable circuits;
• and
• means for defining electrical conductors for coupling said secondary signal-connect means through said vias means to said primary signal-connect means and for at least partially integrating said selected operable circuits into the electrical function.

In a unitary integrated circuit member capable of performing an electrical function and having a plurality of functionally separate circuits located thereon, in which some of said functionally separate circuits are usable and the remainder are unusable and in which said usable and unusable circuits have random positions differing from similar functionally separate usable and unusable circuits on other unitary integrated circuit members capable of performing the same electrical function, and in which each of said circuits have means for defining a plurality of individual signal-connects at a first level of metalization, the improvement in providing at least a partially integrated interconnection of said usable circuits having a standard pattern of identical locations of means for defining second individual signal-connects, said usable circuits being selected from any of said usable circuits irrespective of their positions on any of said circuit members, and said standard pattern being the same for all of said circuit members, comprising:

• a first layer of dielectric material on said circuit member at the first level having a plurality of means for defining apertures formed therethrough for exposing only said individual signal-connect means of said selected usable circuits;
• a first metalization layer of electrical conductors formed on said first layer of dielectric material, said conductors including interconnected line segments configured into at least said partially integrated interconnection and extending from said individual signal-connect means of said selected usable circuits exposed by said aperture means to a plurality of said second individual signal-connect means at the identical locations for forming at least said partially integrated interconnection having the standard pattern on a second level, and for configuring the standard pattern of the circuit locations common to all of said integrated circuit members;
• at least some of said second individual signal-connect means being located substantially vertically above corresponding ones of said first level signal-connect means;
• and
• alternate layers of further dielectric material and metalization material on said first layers, each of said alternate layers including a second layer of dielectric material formed on said first layer of conductors having means for defining a plurality of second apertures formed therethrough at the standard pattern locations for exposing only said second signal-connect means, and a second metalization layer of electrical conductors formed on said second layer of dielectric material, said electrical conductors of said second metalization layer configured in further circuit integration of said selected usable circuits for defining a routing thereof in a second standard pattern common to all of said integrated circuit members having appropriate signal-connect means and for interconnecting said selected usable circuits into a specific more complex circuit type.

A plurality of integrated circuit members each capable of performing the same electrical function and each comprising:

• a plurality of functionally separate circuits on each of said circuit members in which some of said circuits are used and the remainder are unused and in which said used and said unused circuits are randomly positioned on each of said circuit members;
• means for defining partial integration of at least one of said used circuits into the electrical function and having a plurality of secondary signal-connect areas, said partial integration means having a configuration and said secondary signal-connect areas having locations which are common to all of said circuit members having the same electrical function, and at least some of said secondary signal-connect areas being located substantially vertically above corresponding ones of said used circuits;
• and
• electrical conductor means coupling any said used circuit to any said signal-connect area, irrespective of the location of any said used circuit.