Magma Design Automation, Inc.

Patrick R Groeneveld

Lukas P P P Van Ginneken

Wilhelmus J M Philipsen

An automated logic circuit design system uses a common database to store design data at different states of the design process, including data-flow graphs, netlists and layout descriptions. In this way, the need to translate circuit descriptions between tools is eliminated, thus leading to increased speed, flexibility and integration. The common database includes entities, models, cells, pins, busses and nets. The data-flow graphs are stored as graphs, the nodes in a graph as cells, and the edges as busses. Physical design data is available by storing the cells in a model in a KD tree. This allows queries on cells in the netlist located in the layout within arbitrary areas.

Method for storing multiple levels of design data in a common database

An automated method for designing an integrated circuit layout with a computer, based upon an electronic circuit description and upon a selected plurality of cells from a cell library, comprising the steps of: (a) assigning each of the cells to one of a plurality of buckets designated on the integrated circuit layout, each of the cells being connected to one of the other cells; (b) performing global routing to connect at least some of the selected cells of step (a) together such that global routes are formed to provide net topology information; (c) performing track routing which sets the position of each of the global routes; (d) performing detailed placement such that the positions of all selected cells are fixed within each of the buckets designated on the integrated circuit layout; and (e) performing detailed routing such that detailed routes are formed to complete the integrated circuit layout.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Patrick R Groeneveld