Method and apparatus for routing with independent goals on different layers
AssigneeCadence Design Systems, Inc.
InventorsJonathan Frankle, Andrew Caldwell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method of routing. The method selects a net with a set of routable elements in a multi-layer layout region. In some embodiments, the method identifies a route for the net based on different congestion goals on different layers. In other embodiments, the method identifies a route for the net based on different congestion goals between different layer pairs. In some embodiments, the method identifies a route for the net based on both the different congestion goals on different layers and between different layer pairs.
Claims22
A method of routing comprising:
- a) selecting a net with a set of routable elements in a multi-layer integrated circuit (“IC”) design layout region, wherein the multi-layer region comprises a set of sub-regions;
- and
- b) identifying a route for the net based on (i) different congestion goals on different layers of the multi-layer layout region, (ii) a routing capacity value, and (iii) a usage value, wherein the identified route connects at least two sub-regions, wherein a particular congestion goal for a layer is a desired target congestion for a particular area of the layer, wherein the routing capacity value for the layer relates to a number of possible routes in the particular area of the layer, wherein the usage value for the layer relates to a number of routes in the particular area of the layer
- wherein selecting the net and identifying the route are performed during a routing operation.
A computer readable medium storing a computer program for routing nets in a multi-layer integrated circuit (“IC”) design layout region, wherein the computer program is executable by at least one processor, wherein the computer program comprises sets of instructions for:
- a) selecting a net with a set of routable elements in a multi-layer IC design layout region, wherein the multi-layer layout region comprises a set of sub-regions;
- and
- b) identifying a route for the net based on (i) different congestion goals on different layers of the multi-layer layout region, (ii) a routing capacity value, and (iii) a usage value, wherein the identified route connects at least two sub-regions, wherein a particular congestion goal for a layer is a desired target congestion for a particular area of the layer, wherein the routing capacity value for the layer relates to a number of possible routes in the particular area of the layer, wherein the usage value for the layer relates to a number of routes in the particular area of the layer,
- wherein selecting the net and identifying the route are performed during a routing operation.
A method for routing comprising:
- a) identifying a first congestion goal for a first layer of a multi-layer layout integrated circuit (“IC”) design region;
- b) identifying a second congestion goal for a second layer of the multi-layer IC design layout region, wherein the second congestion goal is different than the first congestion goal;
- and
- c) identifying routes for nets based on (i) the first and second congestion goals, (ii) a routing capacity value, and (iii) a usage value, wherein a particular congestion goal for a particular layer relates to a desired number of routes in a particular area of the particular layer, wherein the routing capacity value for the particular layer relates to a number of possible routes in the particular area of the particular layer, wherein the usage value for the particular layer relates to a number of routes in the particular area of the particular layer.
A computer readable medium storing a computer program for routing, the computer program is executable by at least one processor, the computer program comprising sets of instructions for:
- a) identifying a first congestion goal for a first layer of a multi-layer layout integrated circuit (“IC”) design region;
- b) identifying a second congestion goal for a second layer of the multi-layer IC design layout region, wherein the second congestion goal is different than the first congestion goal;
- and
- c) identifying routes for nets based on (i) the first and second congestion goals, (ii) a routing capacity value, and (iii) a usage value, wherein a particular congestion goal for a particular layer relates to a desired number of routes in a particular area of the particular layer, wherein the routing capacity value for the particular layer relates to a number of possible routes in the particular area of the particular layer, wherein the usage value for the particular layer relates to a number of routes in the particular area of the particular layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.