System and method for model-based scoring and yield prediction

• US 7,689,948 B1
• Filed: 02/24/2007
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cadence Design Systems Incorporated (Cadence Group)
• Original Assignee: Cadence Design Systems Incorporated (Cadence Group)
• Inventors: Koshy, Mathew, White, David, Ruehl, Roland
• Primary Examiner(s): Kik; Phallaka
• Application Number:
  US11/678,593
• Time in Patent Office: 1,130 Days
• Field of Search: 716/4, 700/110, 324/537, 703/14, 702/59, 714/25, 382/149
• US Class Current: 716/136
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2111/08 Probabilistic or stochastic CAD
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2119/18 Manufacturability analysis or optimisation for manufacturability
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/3323 using formal methods, e.g. equivalence checking or property checking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

Methods and systems for the integration of models and accurate predictions to score the circuit design, which translates to a more accurate and less complex yield prediction. In the present inventive approach, the computer-implemented methods and systems use at least one processor that is configured for performing at least predicting a physical realization of a layout design based at least in part on one or more model parameters, determining one or more hotspots associated with the layout design, determining a score for each of the one or more hotspots associated with the layout design, and categorizing the one or more hotspots according to at least the score in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the methods or the systems further use at least one processor for the act of determining one or more hotspots by using at least the design intent or the manufacturing information.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for model-based yield prediction, comprising:

using a processor configured for performing;

predicting a physical realization of a layout design based at least in part on one or more model parameters;

determining one or more hotspots associated with the layout design;

determining a score for each of the one or more hotspots based at least in part on a yield information;

categorizing the one or more hotspots according to at least the score; and

using a computer readable storage medium or a computer storage device configured for storing at least the score or using a display apparatus configured for displaying at least the score.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using model based simulation to predict yield.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the score is also based on models and design rules.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a cell yield is determined based at least in part on the hotspots that are categorized.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the score represents a likelihood of a functional design after manufacture.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the score represent a priority for optimization.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the cell yield is a product of parametric yields within the cell.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the score is calculated as a function using information from a manufacturer and a design intent with a relative priority and yield information of the hotspots.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the score for at least one of the hotspots is based at least in part on parametric information.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising including hints on suggestions to improve the design at the hotspot.

11. A computer system for predicting model-based yield comprising:

a processor configured for performing;

predicting a physical realization of a layout design based at least in part on one or more model parameters;

determining one or more hotspots associated with the layout design;

calculating a score for each of the one or more hotspots based at least in part on a predicted yield; and

categorize the one or more hotspots according to at least the score.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the yield is predicted using model based simulation.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein a cell yield is determined based at least in part on the hotspots that are categorized.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the score is generated as a function using information from a manufacturer and a design intent with a relative priority and yield information of the hotspots.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the score for at least one of the hotspots is based at least in part on parametric information.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the score includes one or more hints on suggestions to improve the design at the at least one of the hotspots.

17. A computer program product embodied in a tangible computer readable storage medium having executable code which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to execute a process for model-based yield prediction, the process comprising:

using a processor configured for performing;

predicting a physical realization of a layout design based at least in part on one or more model parameters;

determining one or more hotspots associated with the layout design;

calculating a score for each of the one or more hotspots based at least in part on a predicted yield; and

categorize the one or more hotspots according to at least the score.

18. The product of claim 17, further comprising using model based simulation to predict yield.

19. The product of claim 17, wherein the score is calculated as a function using information from a manufacturer and a design intent with a relative priority and yield information of the hotspots.

20. The product of claim 17, wherein the score for at least one of the hotspots is based at least in part on parametric information.