Synopsys, Inc.

Ming Su

Dick Liu

Zuo Dai

Randy Bishop

Jon Francis Bendicksen

John Hapli

Scott I Chase

Haichun Chen

Roughly described, a design rule data set is developed offline from the design rules of a target fabrication process. A design rule checking method involves traversing the corners of shapes in a layout region, and for each corner, populating a layout topology database with values that depend on respective corner locations. After the layout topology database is populated, the values are compared to values in the design rule data set to detect any design rule violations. Violations can be reported in real time, while the user is manually editing the layout. Preferably corner traversal is performed using scan lines oriented perpendicularly to edge orientations, and scanning in the direction of the edge orientations. Scans stop only at corner positions and populate the layout topology database with what information can be gleaned based on the current scan line. The different scans need not reach each corner simultaneously.

High performance design rule checking technique

Roughly described, a system enables quick and accurate depiction to a user of multi-patterning layout violations so that they may be corrected manually and in real time, and without interfering with normal manual editing process. In one embodiment, the system involves iteratively building tree structures with nodes identifying islands and arcs identifying multi-patterning spacing violations between the connected islands. The system detects coloring violations during the building of these tree structures, using the relationships previously inserted. The coloring violations preferably are reported to a user in the form of visual indications of the cycles among the candidate spacing violations, with the candidate spacing violations also themselves indicated visually and individually. The user can see intuitively how to move the islands around, and in which directions and by what distance, in order to remove a multi-patterning spacing violation and thereby break the cycle.

Low-overhead multi-patterning design rule check

Roughly described, while manually dragging shapes during IC layout editing, editing operations determine which edges of which shapes are moving at what speed ratios. Based on the edge information and the DRC rules, the system calculates and keeps track of the minimum of the maximum distance the edges are allowed to move with the cursor without violating DRC rules, in four linear directions and all corner directions. Once a next cursor destination point is known, a DRC clean destination point is calculated based on the linear and corner bounds. If the next cursor position is beyond a the push-through distance ahead of the new DRC clean point, the editing objects are moved to the user's destination point. Otherwise, the editing objects are moved to the new DRC clean destination point, thereby stopping movement at that point.

Real time DRC assistance for manual layout editing

A computer system and corresponding process is disclosed for making a design layout based on a schematic diagram. The system comprises a user interface which includes a display of a schematic diagram of a layout to be designed. The schematic diagram includes multiple occurrences of a target element. Source elements are displayed, which correspond with the target element. One occurrence of multiple occurrences of the target element shown in the schematic diagram is selected. The source element is applied to the selected target element. A computer program product bears software for directing a computer system to perform the foregoing.

Intuitive interactive cloning for custom layout generation

Roughly described, a design rule data set includes rules on derived layers. The rules are checked by traversing the corners of physical shapes, and for each corner, populating a layout topology database with values gleaned from that corner location, including values involving derived layers. After the layout topology database is populated, the values are compared to values in the design rule data set to detect any design rule violations, including violations of design rules defined on derived layers. Violations are reported in real time during manual editing of the layout. Preferably corner traversal is performed using scan lines oriented perpendicularly to edge orientations, scanning in the direction of the edge orientations. Scans stop only at corner positions on physical layers, and populate the layout topology database with what information can be gleaned based on the current scan line, including information about derived layers. The scans need not reach corners simultaneously.

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Nepean, Canada

Ming Su