US6275973B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated circuit design with delayed cell selection
Assignee: Bell Semiconductor LLC
•
Filing: 1998-10-30
•
Granted: 2001-08-14
•
Expires: 2018-10-30
Abstract
Abstract Integrated circuit chip design in which a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design is obtained. A first component is selected from a pre-defined first library based on the technology-independent description, and an interconnection is specified between the first component and a second component based on the technology-independent description. The first component and the second component are laid out on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout, and a routing characteristic for the interconnection is estimated based on the initial layout. The first component is then replaced with a new component selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristic. According to this aspect of the invention, the pre-defined first library is smaller than the pre-defined second library.
Inventors
- 👤 Enno Wein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F30/00; G06F30/30; G06F30/39; G06F30/32; G06F30/327
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said method comprising: obtaining a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design; selecting a first component from a pre-defined first library based on the technology-independent description; specifying an interconnection between the first component and a second component based on the technology-independent description; laying out the first component and the second component on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout; estimating a routing characteristic for the interconnection based on the initial layout; and replacing the first component with a new component selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristic, wherein the pre-defined first library is smaller than the pre-defined second library.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said method comprising: obtaining a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design; selecting a first component from a pre-defined first library based on the technology-independent description; specifying an interconnection between the first component and a second component based on the technology-independent description; laying out the first component and the second component on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout; estimating a routing characteristic for the interconnection based on the initial layout; and replacing the first component with a new component selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristic, wherein the pre-defined first library is smaller than the pre-defined second library.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the first component is selected to perform a particular function, and wherein the pre-defined second library has more components that perform the particular function than the pre-defined first library.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein the pre-defined first library has exactly one component that performs the particular function.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein the particular function is a logical function.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein the new component is selected from among the components performing the particular function based on a desired timing characteristic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 5 , wherein the desired timing characteristic is approximated by selecting the new component based on drive strength.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the routing characteristic is estimated by performing an actual routing of the initial layout.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the routing characteristic comprises a wire load.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the technology-independent description is specified in a hardware description language.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the technology-independent description is specified in a register transfer language.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the first library is a technology library and wherein components in the first library correspond to actual physical components.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the first component has a timing characteristic that is equal to an average timing characteristic of components in the second library that perform a same function as the first component.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said method comprising: obtaining a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design; selecting a first component from a pre-defined first library based on the technology-independent description; specifying an interconnection between the first component and a second component based on the technology-independent description; laying out the first component and the second component on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout; estimating a wire load for the interconnection based on the initial layout; and replacing the first component with a new component selected from a pre-defined second library based on the estimated wire load, wherein the first component is selected to perform a particular function, wherein the pre-defined second library has more components that perform the particular function than the pre-defined first library, and wherein the new component is selected from among the components performing the particular function based on a desired timing characteristic.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said method comprising: obtaining a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design; selecting a first component from a pre-defined first library based on the technology-independent description; specifying an interconnection between the first component and a second component based on the technology-independent description; laying out the first component and the second component on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout; estimating a wire load for the interconnection based on the initial layout; and replacing the first component with a new component selected from a pre-defined second library based on the estimated wire load, wherein the first component is selected to perform a particular function, wherein the pre-defined second library has more components that perform the particular function than the pre-defined first library, and wherein the new component is selected from among the components performing the particular function based on a desired timing characteristic.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method according to claim 13 , wherein the pre-defined first library has exactly one component that performs the particular function, and wherein the exactly one component is specified so as to have a timing characteristic chosen to be representative of corresponding timing characteristics for the components performing the particular function in the pre-defined second library.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 14 , wherein the desired timing characteristic is the timing characteristic assumed for the exactly one component.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 14 , wherein the desired timing characteristic is approximated by selecting the new component based on drive strength.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 14 , wherein the wire load is estimated by performing an actual routing of the initial layout.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said method comprising: obtaining a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design; synthesizing a netlist, by selecting initial components from a pre-defined first library and specifying interconnections between the initial components, based on the technology-independent description; laying out the initial components on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout; estimating routing characteristics for the interconnections based on the initial layout; and replacing plural of the initial components with new components selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristics, wherein the initial components are selected to perform functions, and wherein the pre-defined second library has more components satisfying each of the functions than the pre-defined first library.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said method comprising: obtaining a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design; synthesizing a netlist, by selecting initial components from a pre-defined first library and specifying interconnections between the initial components, based on the technology-independent description; laying out the initial components on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout; estimating routing characteristics for the interconnections based on the initial layout; and replacing plural of the initial components with new components selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristics, wherein the initial components are selected to perform functions, and wherein the pre-defined second library has more components satisfying each of the functions than the pre-defined first library.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 18 , wherein for each of the functions, the pre-defined second library includes components having a wider range of a particular timing characteristic than components in the pre-defined first library.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 19 , wherein the particular timing characteristic is based on drive strength under an assumed load condition.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 18 , wherein for each of the functions, the components in the pre-defined first library are assumed to have timing characteristics chosen to be representative of corresponding timing characteristics for the components satisfying said each of the functions in the pre-defined second library.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 21 , wherein the new components are selected based on the timing characteristics assumed for the initial components.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
133 words
Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer readable medium, said process steps for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said process steps comprising steps to: obtain a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design; select a first component from a pre-defined first library based on the technology-independent description; specify an interconnection between the first component and a second component based on the technology-independent description; lay out the first component and the second component on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout; estimate a routing characteristic for the interconnection based on the initial layout; and replace the first component with a new component selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristic, wherein the pre-defined first library is smaller than the pre-defined second library.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
133 words
Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer readable medium, said process steps for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said process steps comprising steps to: obtain a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design; select a first component from a pre-defined first library based on the technology-independent description; specify an interconnection between the first component and a second component based on the technology-independent description; lay out the first component and the second component on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout; estimate a routing characteristic for the interconnection based on the initial layout; and replace the first component with a new component selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristic, wherein the pre-defined first library is smaller than the pre-defined second library.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
139 words
Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer readable medium, said process steps for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said process steps comprising steps to: obtain a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design; synthesize a netlist, by selecting initial components from a pre-defined first library and specifying interconnections between the initial components, based on the technology-independent description; lay out the initial components on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout; estimate routing characteristics for the interconnections based on the initial layout; and replace plural of the initial components with new components selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristics, wherein the initial components are selected to perform functions, and wherein the pre-defined second library has more components satisfying each of the functions than the pre-defined first library.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
139 words
Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer readable medium, said process steps for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said process steps comprising steps to: obtain a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design; synthesize a netlist, by selecting initial components from a pre-defined first library and specifying interconnections between the initial components, based on the technology-independent description; lay out the initial components on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout; estimate routing characteristics for the interconnections based on the initial layout; and replace plural of the initial components with new components selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristics, wherein the initial components are selected to perform functions, and wherein the pre-defined second library has more components satisfying each of the functions than the pre-defined first library.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said apparatus comprising: a processor for executing stored program instruction steps; and a memory connected to the processor for storing the program instruction steps, wherein the program instruction steps include steps to: obtain a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design; select a first component from a pre-defined first library based on the technology-independent description; specify an interconnection between the first component and a second component based on the technology-independent description; lay out the first component and the second component on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout; estimate a routing characteristic for the interconnection based on the initial layout; and replace the first component with a new component selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristic, wherein the pre-defined first library is smaller than the pre-defined second library.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said apparatus comprising: a processor for executing stored program instruction steps; and a memory connected to the processor for storing the program instruction steps, wherein the program instruction steps include steps to: obtain a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design; select a first component from a pre-defined first library based on the technology-independent description; specify an interconnection between the first component and a second component based on the technology-independent description; lay out the first component and the second component on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout; estimate a routing characteristic for the interconnection based on the initial layout; and replace the first component with a new component selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristic, wherein the pre-defined first library is smaller than the pre-defined second library.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
155 words
An apparatus for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said apparatus comprising: a processor for executing stored program instruction steps; and a memory connected to the processor for storing the program instruction steps, wherein the program instruction steps include steps to: obtain a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design; synthesize a netlist, by selecting initial components from a pre-defined first library and specifying interconnections between the initial components, based on the technology-independent description; lay out the initial components on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout; estimate routing characteristics for the interconnections based on the initial layout; and replace plural of the initial components with new components selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristics, wherein the initial components are selected to perform functions, and wherein the pre-defined second library has more components satisfying each of the functions than the pre-defined first library.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
155 words
An apparatus for use in designing an integrated circuit chip, said apparatus comprising: a processor for executing stored program instruction steps; and a memory connected to the processor for storing the program instruction steps, wherein the program instruction steps include steps to: obtain a technology-independent description of an integrated circuit design; synthesize a netlist, by selecting initial components from a pre-defined first library and specifying interconnections between the initial components, based on the technology-independent description; lay out the initial components on a surface of the integrated circuit chip so as to obtain an initial layout; estimate routing characteristics for the interconnections based on the initial layout; and replace plural of the initial components with new components selected from a pre-defined second library based on the routing characteristics, wherein the initial components are selected to perform functions, and wherein the pre-defined second library has more components satisfying each of the functions than the pre-defined first library.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5764525A
Cited
US5633805A
Cited
US5663662A
Cited
US5689432A
Cited
US5666288A
Cited
US5898595A
Cited
US5754826A
Cited
US5724250A
Cited
US5963727A
Cited
US6167557A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-08-13 | 2005-02-12 | 2005-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-13 | 2009-02-12 | 2009-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-13 | 2013-02-12 | 2013-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |