Automatic block composition tool for composing custom blocks having non-standard library cells in an integrated circuit design flow

An automatic block composition tool for composing a custom block of an integrated circuit (IC) design layout, wherein the custom block comprises one or more non-standard library cells, the automatic custom block composition tool comprising program instructions storable on a non-transitory computer readable medium, and executable by a processor to:

• create a placement control file including instructions for use by the automatic custom block composition tool to place the one or more non-standard library cells into the custom block of an IC design layout;
• instantiate a leafcell for each non-standard library cell and each standard library cell included in a netlist of the custom block, wherein each leafcell comprises a layout view of each of the non-standard library cells and the standard library cells;
• access the placement control file and placing each leafcell in a row of the custom block according to the placement control file;
• pre-route and tag power, clock, and critical network signals within the custom block, wherein the tags specify the pre-routed signals are not modifiable by a router design tool;
• specify information associated with one or more metal layers of the custom block;
• generate a router control file that includes the information used by the router design tool during remaining routing of the custom block;
• provide the pre-routed custom block, including the tags, to the router design tool such that the router design tool routes any remaining signals of the custom block.

A system comprising:

• a memory configured to store program instructions which implement an automatic block composition tool for composing a custom block of an integrated circuit (IC) design layout, wherein the custom block comprises one or more non-standard library cells;
• a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the program instructions to:
• create a placement control file including instructions for use by the automatic custom block composition tool to place the one or more non-standard library cells into the custom block of an IC design layout;
• instantiate a leafcell for each non-standard library cell and each standard library cell included in a netlist of the custom block, wherein each leafcell comprises a layout view of each of the non-standard library cells and the standard library cells;
• access the placement control file and placing each leafcell in a row of the custom block according to the placement control file;
• pre-route and tag power, clock, and critical network signals within the custom block, wherein the tags specify the pre-routed signals are not modifiable by a router design tool;
• specify information associated with one or more metal layers of the custom block;
• generate a router control file that includes the information used by the router design tool during remaining routing of the custom block;
• provide the pre-routed custom block, including the tags, to the router design tool such that the router design tool routes any remaining signals of the custom block.