Performing OPC on hardware or software platforms with GPU
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- providing a system comprising a plurality of computing nodes, wherein each computing node comprises at least one processor selected from the group consisting of central processing unit and graphics processing unit;
using at least one processor, separating an optical proximity correction process into tasks depending on a type of computation required;
allocating the tasks of the optical proximity correction process to the central processing unit or the graphics processing unit; and
delivering output of the central processing unit and the graphics processing unit as a result of the optical proximity corrections (OPC) process,wherein the separating an optical proximity correction process into tasks depending on a type of computation required comprises;
analyzing a mask pattern to be written to a target material; and
splitting the mask pattern into a plurality of two-dimensional subregions, wherein allocating the tasks of the optical proximity correction process to the central processing unit or the graphics processing unit comprises;
assigning each subregion to one or more computing nodes in the plurality of computing nodes, wherein OPC results are output for each subregion; and
assembling the OPC results for the plurality of two-dimensional subregions;
wherein the mask pattern is used to manufacture semiconductor devices.
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Abstract
Optical proximity correction techniques performed on one or more graphics processors improve the masks used for the printing of microelectronic circuit designs. Execution of OPC techniques on hardware or software platforms utilizing graphics processing units. GPUs may share the computation load with the system CPUs to efficiently and effectively execute the OPC method steps.
38 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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providing a system comprising a plurality of computing nodes, wherein each computing node comprises at least one processor selected from the group consisting of central processing unit and graphics processing unit; using at least one processor, separating an optical proximity correction process into tasks depending on a type of computation required; allocating the tasks of the optical proximity correction process to the central processing unit or the graphics processing unit; and delivering output of the central processing unit and the graphics processing unit as a result of the optical proximity corrections (OPC) process, wherein the separating an optical proximity correction process into tasks depending on a type of computation required comprises; analyzing a mask pattern to be written to a target material; and splitting the mask pattern into a plurality of two-dimensional subregions, wherein allocating the tasks of the optical proximity correction process to the central processing unit or the graphics processing unit comprises; assigning each subregion to one or more computing nodes in the plurality of computing nodes, wherein OPC results are output for each subregion; and assembling the OPC results for the plurality of two-dimensional subregions; wherein the mask pattern is used to manufacture semiconductor devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification