Density-Based Layer Filler for Integrated Circuit Design
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method, comprising:
- accessing a configuration file, wherein the configuration file comprises;
a minimum density design rule for a design layer of an integrated circuit design layout, wherein the design layer comprises an encoded representation of a photomask to be used in fabrication of the integrated circuit; and
an identifier specifying an area of the design layout on which to operate;
generating a run deck dependent on the configuration file, wherein the run deck comprises program instructions executable to perform a density-based layer filling operation on the area of the design layout specified by the identifier;
executing the program instructions comprised in the run deck to perform the density-based layer filling operation;
wherein the density-based layer filling operation comprises;
identifying a portion of the specified area of the design layout in which the minimum density design rule for the design layer is not met;
constructing one or more dummy shapes to be added on the design layer; and
inserting the one or more dummy shapes into the design layout only in the identified portion of the specified area;
wherein inserting the one or more dummy shapes results in the minimum density design rule for the design layer being met in the identified portion of the specified area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for performing density-based layer filling on a design layout encoding of an integrated circuit device is disclosed. In some embodiments, the density-based layer filler may identify open areas on a given design layer in which one or more minimum density rules are not met and may insert dummy shapes only in those identified areas. The dummy shapes may be constructed so as not to violate one or more other design rules. The density-based layer filler may access a configuration file comprising layer density rules and other design rules and may generate a run deck dependent on the contents of the configuration file. The density-based layer filler may be applied iteratively to a design in checking windows of various sizes according to multiple window sizes and step values specified in the configuration file. The dummy shapes may be electrically connected to an existing ground wire after insertion.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method, comprising:
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accessing a configuration file, wherein the configuration file comprises; a minimum density design rule for a design layer of an integrated circuit design layout, wherein the design layer comprises an encoded representation of a photomask to be used in fabrication of the integrated circuit; and an identifier specifying an area of the design layout on which to operate; generating a run deck dependent on the configuration file, wherein the run deck comprises program instructions executable to perform a density-based layer filling operation on the area of the design layout specified by the identifier; executing the program instructions comprised in the run deck to perform the density-based layer filling operation; wherein the density-based layer filling operation comprises; identifying a portion of the specified area of the design layout in which the minimum density design rule for the design layer is not met; constructing one or more dummy shapes to be added on the design layer; and inserting the one or more dummy shapes into the design layout only in the identified portion of the specified area; wherein inserting the one or more dummy shapes results in the minimum density design rule for the design layer being met in the identified portion of the specified area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer implemented method comprising:
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iteratively applying a minimum density rule check for a design layer of an integrated circuit design layout to successive sections of the design layout defined by a checking window as the checking window is stepped horizontally and vertically across the design layout until the minimum density rule check indicates that the minimum density rule is not met; and in response to the minimum density rule check indicating that the minimum density rule is not met; identifying the section of the design layout in which the minimum density rule is not met; constructing one or more dummy shapes to be added on the design layer; and inserting the one or more dummy shapes into the design layout only in the identified section of the design layout; wherein said inserting the one or more dummy shapes results in the minimum density design rule for the design layer being met in the identified section of the design layout; wherein the design layer comprises an encoded representation of a photomask to be used in fabrication of the integrated circuit. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system, comprising:
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a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor; wherein the memory comprises program instructions executable by the processor to implement; accessing a configuration file, wherein the configuration file comprises; a minimum density design rule for a design layer of an integrated circuit design layout, wherein the design layer comprises an encoded representation of a photomask to be used in fabrication of the integrated circuit; and an identifier specifying an area of the design layout on which to operate; generating a run deck dependent on the configuration file, wherein the run deck comprises program instructions executable to perform a density-based layer filling operation on the area of the design layout specified by the identifier; executing the program instructions comprised in the run deck to perform the density-based layer filling operation; wherein the density-based layer filling operation comprises; identifying a portion of the specified area of the design layout in which the minimum density design rule for the design layer is not met; constructing one or more dummy shapes to be added on the design layer; and inserting the one or more dummy shapes into the design layout only in the identified portion of the specified area; wherein inserting the one or more dummy shapes results in the minimum density design rule for the design layer being met in the identified portion of the specified area. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification