Verifying on-chip decoupling capacitance
AssigneeSun Microsystems, Inc.
InventorsTyler J. Thorp, Pradeep R. Trivedi, Dean Liu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for verifying on-chip decoupling capacitance by formulating and solving a linear problem. Further, a software tool for determining decoupling capacitance on a computer chip using a linear problem. Further, a method for designing an integrated circuit such that there is enough decoupling capacitance on the integrated circuit.
Claims12
A method for determining decoupling capacitance on a computer chip, comprising:
- selecting a drive on the computer chip;
- selecting a first decoupling capacitor, wherein the first decoupling capacitor is within a specified distance of the driver;
- forming a linear equation based on the driver and the first decoupling capacitor, wherein a linear problem comprises the linear equation;
- setting a condition on the linear problem such that the linear problem does not allocate more than 100% use of the first decoupling capacitor;
- and
- solving the linear problem to determine decoupling capacitance on computer chip.
A software tool that determines decoupling capacitance on a computer chip having a driver and at least one decoupling capacitor, comprising:
- a first portion that selects a driver;
- a second portion that selects a first decoupling capacitor, wherein the first decoupling capacitor is within a specified distance of the driver;
- a third portion that forms a linear equation based on the driver and the first decoupling capacitor, wherein the third portion forms a first term that results from the multiplication of a capacitance of the first decoupling capacitor and a value of percentage use of the first decoupling capacitor by the driver, and wherein a decoupling capacitance need of the driver is equated to the first term, wherein
- a linear problem comprises the linear equation;
- and
- a last portion that solves the linear problem to verify decoupling capacitance on the computer chip.
A method for designing an integrated circuit, comprising:
- determining a decoupling capacitance need of the integrated circuit;
- verifying an amount of decoupling capacitance on the integrated circuit, wherein verifying the amount of decoupling capacitance comprises forming and solving a linear problem;
- and
- resizing at least one decoupling capacitor based on a solution of the linear problem, wherein resizing of the at least one decoupling capacitor depend on whether the decoupling capacitance need of the driver is met.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.