Method and apparatus for searching for a global path
AssigneeCadence Design Systems, Inc.
InventorsSteven Teig, Jonathan Frankle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method of searching for a global path between first and second sets of routable elements in a region of a layout. The method partitions the region into several rectangular sub-regions. It then identifies a set of sub-regions that contain the two sets of elements. Next, it performs a path search to identify a set of path expansions between a sub-region that contains a first-set element and a sub-region that contains a second-set element. When the method performs the path search, it explores expansions along non-Manhattan directions between the sub-regions.
Claims20
A method of defining a global route connecting first and second sets of routable elements of a net in a region of an integrated circuit (IC) layout, the method comprising:
- a) partitioning the region into a plurality of rectangular sub-regions;
- b) identifying a set of sub-regions that contain the two sets of routable elements;
- c) performing a path search to identify a set of path expansions between a sub-region that contains a first-set routable element and a sub-region that contains a second-set routable element, wherein performing the path search comprises identifying path expansions along non-Manhattan directions between the sub-regions;
- d) embedding at least a segment of the global route along the identified set of path expansions.
A computer readable medium storing a computer program for defining a global route connecting first and second sets of routable elements of a net in a region of an integrated circuit (IC) layout, the computer program comprising sets of instructions for:
- a) partitioning the region into a plurality of rectangular sub-regions;
- b) identifying a set of sub-regions that contain the two sets of routable elements;
- c) performing a path search to identify a set of path expansions between a sub-region that contains a first-set routable element and a sub-region that contains a second-set routable element, wherein performing the path-search comprises identifying path expansions along non-Manhattan directions between the sub-regions;
- d) embedding at least a segment of the global route along the identified set of path expansions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.