Synopsys, Inc.

Lin Yuan

Yi-Min Jiang

Yan Lin

Aiqun Cao

Sanjay Dhar

Phillip H Tai

Systems and techniques for pattern-based power-and-ground (PG) routing and via rule based via creation are described. A pattern for routing PG wires can be received. Next, an instantiation strategy may be received, wherein the instantiation strategy specifies an area of an integrated circuit (IC) design layout where PG wires based on the pattern are to be instantiated and specifies one or more net identifiers that are to be assigned to the instantiated PG wires. The PG wires can be instantiated in the IC design layout based on the pattern and the instantiation strategy. Additionally, a set of via rules can be received, wherein each via rule specifies a type of via that is to be instantiated at an intersection between two PG wires that are in two different metal layers. Next, one or more vias can be instantiated in the IC design layout based on the set of via rules.

Pattern-based power-and-ground (PG) routing and via creation

Systems and techniques are described for automatically generating a set of non-default routing rules for routing a net in a clock tree based on one or more metrics. The metrics can include a congestion metric, a latency metric, a crosstalk metric, an electromigration metric, and a clock tree level. Next, the embodiments can generate the set of non-default routing rules for routing the net based on one or more metrics. A routing rule can specify how wide the wires are supposed to be and how far apart adjacent wires are to be placed. A non-default routing rule can specify a wire width that is different from the default width and/or specify a spacing (i.e., the distance between two wires) that is different from the default spacing.

Automatic clock tree routing rule generation

A method of automatically reducing stacked vias while minimizing voltage drop in a power network of an integrated circuit (IC) is provided. In this method, any feasible (i.e. other than connectivity-necessary and uncongested stacked vias) stacked vias of the power network can be virtually removed. If a target voltage drop of the power network is exceeded, then a measurement of the severity of at least a maximum voltage drop on the IC can be updated. After this updating, a set of voltage drop improvement stacked vias can be virtually returned to the power network. The steps of determining whether the target voltage drop is exceeded, updating the severity of the voltage drop at one or more hot spots, and virtually returning the set of additional stacked vias can be repeated until the target voltage drop is not exceeded.

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Lin Yuan