Cell Modeling for Integrated Circuit Design with Characterization of Upstream Driver Strength
First Claim
1. A processor-implemented method of modeling a cell for use in an integrated circuit design, the method comprising the steps of:
- characterizing the cell based on an input of the cell being driven by a characterization driver having a specified drive strength; and
generating a model of the cell which stores an identifier of the characterization driver in association with an identifier of the input;
wherein the cell model is utilized to determine if an actual driver of the input of the cell in the integrated circuit design has a drive strength which is less than that of the characterization driver, and if the actual driver has a drive strength which is less than that of the characterization driver an indicator of this condition is generated.
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Abstract
A cell is modeled for use in an integrated circuit design by characterizing the cell based on an input of the cell being driven by a characterization driver having a specified drive strength. A model of the cell is generated which stores an identifier of the characterization driver in association with an identifier of the input. The cell model is then utilized to determine if an actual driver of the input of the cell in the integrated circuit design has a drive strength which is less than that of the characterization driver, and if the actual driver has a drive strength which is less than that of the characterization driver an indicator of this condition is generated. The indicator may, for example, prompt selection of a different driver to replace the actual driver in the integrated circuit design.
23 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A processor-implemented method of modeling a cell for use in an integrated circuit design, the method comprising the steps of:
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characterizing the cell based on an input of the cell being driven by a characterization driver having a specified drive strength; and generating a model of the cell which stores an identifier of the characterization driver in association with an identifier of the input; wherein the cell model is utilized to determine if an actual driver of the input of the cell in the integrated circuit design has a drive strength which is less than that of the characterization driver, and if the actual driver has a drive strength which is less than that of the characterization driver an indicator of this condition is generated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A processor-implemented method for generating an integrated circuit design, the method comprising the steps of.
incorporating a cell in the design, the cell being represented by a cell model which characterizes the cell based on an input of the cell being driven by a characterization driver having a specified drive strength, the cell model storing an identifier of the characterization driver in association with an identifier of the input; -
determining if an actual driver of the input of the cell in the integrated circuit design has a drive strength which is less than that of the characterization driver; and providing an output indicator based on a result of the determining step. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. An apparatus for modeling a cell for use in an integrated circuit design, the apparatus comprising:
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a processing device, the processing device comprising a processor and a memory, the processor being coupled to the memory; the processing device being configured; to characterize the cell based on an input of the cell being driven by a characterization driver having a specified drive strength; and to generate a model of the cell which stores an identifier of the characterization driver in association with an identifier of the input; wherein the cell model is utilized to determine if an actual driver of the input of the cell in the integrated circuit design has a drive strength which is less than that of the characterization driver, and if the actual driver has a drive strength which is less than that of the characterization driver an indicator of this condition is generated. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification