International Business Machines Corporation

Mark D Bolliger

Bruce A Kauffmann

An automated method for optimally ordering macros within a semiconductor chip data-path stack is disclosed. Each stack macro is assumed to have at least one predetermined bus connection with another macro in the stack. The ordering technique is based on minimizing for each macro in the stack the total number of stack macros passed by buses predeterminedly connected to that macro without making connection thereto. In addition, a macro group is formed of any subset of stack macros caught in a repeating loop. Each macro group contains at least two macros of the stack. Once defined, a macro group is treated as a single stack macro and optimization processing continues. Once the optimal location of all macros is identified, then any formed macro group is expanded and the optimal location of each macro within the group itself is identified. Specific details of the method are provided herein.

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South Burlington, VT, United States of America

Mark D Bolliger