Integrated circuit design with delayed cell selection

A method for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said method comprising:

• obtaining a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design;
• selecting a first component from a pre-defined first library based on the technology-independent description;
• specifying an interconnection between the first component and a second component based on the technology-independent description;
• laying out the first component and the second component on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout;
• estimating a wire load for the interconnection based on the initial layout;
• and
• replacing the first component with a new component selected from a pre-defined second library based on the estimated wire load,
• wherein the first component is selected to perform a particular function, wherein the pre-defined second library has more components that perform the particular function than the pre-defined first library, and wherein the new component is selected from among the components performing the particular function based on a desired timing characteristic.

A method for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said method comprising:

• obtaining a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design;
• synthesizing a netlist, by selecting initial components from a pre-defined first library and specifying interconnections between the initial components, based on the technology-independent description;
• laying out the initial components on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout;
• estimating routing characteristics for the interconnections based on the initial layout;
• and
• replacing plural of the initial components with new components selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristics,
• wherein the initial components are selected to perform functions, and wherein the pre-defined second library has more components satisfying each of the functions than the pre-defined first library.

Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer readable medium, said process steps for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said process steps comprising steps to:

• obtain a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design;
• select a first component from a pre-defined first library based on the technology-independent description;
• specify an interconnection between the first component and a second component based on the technology-independent description;
• lay out the first component and the second component on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout;
• estimate a routing characteristic for the interconnection based on the initial layout;
• and
• replace the first component with a new component selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristic,
• wherein the pre-defined first library is smaller than the pre-defined second library.

Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer readable medium, said process steps for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said process steps comprising steps to:

• obtain a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design;
• synthesize a netlist, by selecting initial components from a pre-defined first library and specifying interconnections between the initial components, based on the technology-independent description;
• lay out the initial components on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout;
• estimate routing characteristics for the interconnections based on the initial layout;
• and
• replace plural of the initial components with new components selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristics,
• wherein the initial components are selected to perform functions, and wherein the pre-defined second library has more components satisfying each of the functions than the pre-defined first library.

An apparatus for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said apparatus comprising:

• a processor for executing stored program instruction steps;
• and
• a memory connected to the processor for storing the program instruction steps,
• wherein the program instruction steps include steps to:
• obtain a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design;
• select a first component from a pre-defined first library based on the technology-independent description;
• specify an interconnection between the first component and a second component based on the technology-independent description;
• lay out the first component and the second component on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout;
• estimate a routing characteristic for the interconnection based on the initial layout;
• and
• replace the first component with a new component selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristic,
• wherein the pre-defined first library is smaller than the pre-defined second library.

An apparatus for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said apparatus comprising:

• a processor for executing stored program instruction steps;
• and
• a memory connected to the processor for storing the program instruction steps,
• wherein the program instruction steps include steps to:
• obtain a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design;
• synthesize a netlist, by selecting initial components from a pre-defined first library and specifying interconnections between the initial components, based on the technology-independent description;
• lay out the initial components on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout;
• estimate routing characteristics for the interconnections based on the initial layout;
• and
• replace plural of the initial components with new components selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristics,
• wherein the initial components are selected to perform functions, and wherein the pre-defined second library has more components satisfying each of the functions than the pre-defined first library.