Concentric metal density power routing
AssigneeLSI Logic Corporation
InventorsRobert D. Waldron, Rich Schultz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for concentric metal density power distribution is disclosed that reduces metal density and increases available area for routing clock and signal traces. A method of concentric metal density power distribution includes the steps of partitioning an area of standard cells in an integrated circuit chip into a plurality of power regions, forming a power boundary around each of the plurality of power regions, and forming a plurality of concentric straps in a metal layer of the integrated circuit chip wherein each of the plurality of concentric straps has a strap width that varies from a maximum strap width at a periphery of each of the plurality of power regions to a minimum strap width toward a center of each of the plurality of power regions.
Claims10
A method for concentric metal density power distribution comprises the steps of:
- forming a plurality of concentric straps in a metal layer within an integrated circuit chip;
- and
- varying a strap width of the plurality of concentric straps from a maximum strap width at a periphery of the integrated circuit chip to a minimum strap width toward a center of the integrated circuit chip.
A power distribution network comprising a plurality of concentric straps formed in a metal layer of an integrated circuit chip wherein each of the plurality of concentric straps has a strap width that varies from a maximum strap width at a periphery of the integrated circuit chip to a minimum strap width toward a center of the integrated circuit chip.
A method for concentric metal density power distribution comprising the steps of:
- (a) defining a power region within a standard cell area of an integrated circuit;
- (b) defining a boundary enclosing the power region;
- (c) selecting a strap width for an outer power ring at the boundary of the power region;
- (d) resizing the strap width along a common boundary shared by another power region;
- and
- (e) routing a plurality of concentric straps within the power region wherein each of the plurality of concentric straps has a strap width that varies from a maximum strap width at a periphery of the power region to a minimum strap width toward a center of the power region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.