Patents by Inventor Eric Nequist

Eric Nequist has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7861203
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and computer program product for implementing model-based floorplanning, layout, placement, and routing. Models are used to guide the placement and routing of polygons on the IC layout based upon predictions of manufacturing variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David White, Eric Nequist
  • Patent number: 7725845
    Abstract: Method and system for chip optimization using model based verification (MBV) tool provide more accurate verification in determining hotspots and their characteristics. The MBV and the layout optimizer are implemented within a feedback loop. This type of verification allows for the MBV tool to provide hints, constraints and hotspot information to the layout optimizer. In addition, the model-based simulation results can be used to automatically fix the circuit designs and allow for specialized optimization flow for standard cell libraries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David White, Roland Ruehl, Eric Nequist
  • Patent number: 7721235
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and computer program product for performing edge optimization on an electronic design. According to some approaches, the number of edges and/or the length of edges within an IC design are configured for optimized manufacturability and yield of an integrated circuit. The edge optimization may occur in real-time during layout, placement, and/or routing, or occur in a post-optimization step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Nequist, Richard Brashears
  • Patent number: 7698666
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and computer program product for implementing model-based layout, placement, and routing. Models are used to guide the placement and routing of polygons on the IC layout. In effect, the parameters that are used for placement and routing are guided by the model data so that the layout can be formed with a high degree of manufacturability from the outset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Nequist, Richard Brashears
  • Patent number: 7665045
    Abstract: A method and mechanism is disclosed for identifying and tracking nets in an electrical design. A hierarchical design does not have to be flattened to perform the operation of identifying and tracking nets. To identify sets of connected shapes, instead of having to unfold the entire design hierarchy, only the specific instances of shapes falling within the geometric bounds of shapes identified as being part of a net needs to be unfolded to perform the search. When composing the list of nets for a hierarchical design, the unfolded shapes at other hierarchical levels of the design can be derived based upon virtual terminal structures that implicitly references nets and objects at other levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Nequist
  • Patent number: 7657860
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method, system, and article of manufacture for implementing routing for an electrical circuit and chip design. A routing architecture can be represented as a spectrum of different granular routing levels. Instead of routing based upon area, routing can be performed for specific routes or portions of routes. Different types of representation or levels of abstraction for the routing can be used for the same net or route. Partial topological reconfiguration, refinement, or rip-up can be performed for a portion of the integrated circuit design, where the portion is smaller than an entire route or net. Non-uniform levels of routing activities or resources may be applied to route the design. Prioritization may be used to route certain portions of the design with greater levels of detail, abstraction, or resources than other portions of the design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Brashears, Eric Nequist
  • Patent number: 7614028
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method, system, and article of manufacture for implementing routing for an electrical circuit and chip design. A routing architecture can be represented as a spectrum of different granular routing levels. Instead of routing based upon area, routing can be performed for specific routes or portions of routes. Different types of representation or levels of abstraction for the routing can be used for the same net or route. Partial topological reconfiguration, refinement, or rip-up can be performed for a portion of the integrated circuit design, where the portion is smaller than an entire route or net. Non-uniform levels of routing activities or resources may be applied to route the design. Prioritization may be used to route certain portions of the design with greater levels of detail, abstraction, or resources than other portions of the design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Nequist, Richard Brashears
  • Patent number: 7590955
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method, system, and computer program product for performing layout, placement, and routing for electronic designs. According to some approaches, multiple objects are considered as a collective object or shape, based upon the proximity of one or more of the objects to one or more other objects. The type and/or configuration of the collective object is based, for example, upon the type of rule that is being considered for the layout, placement, or routing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Nequist, Richard Brashears
  • Publication number: 20090199139
    Abstract: An improved method, system, user interface, and computer program product is described for using a memory and learning component to improve capacitance and resistance estimates based on the types of layouts and devices being evaluated. According to some approaches, a learning component is implemented that uses recommended test sets from the evaluation component to automatically test the extraction estimates against the field solver. Variability models from manufacturing or electrical analysis may also be used to select a series of objects (unique conductor geometries) that make up a conduction path or net or specific conductor geometries for evaluation and additional learning improvement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: David White, Matthew Liberty, Eric Nequist, Michael McSherry
  • Publication number: 20090172623
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method and system for implementing parallelism for execution of electronic design automation (EDA) tools, such as layout processing tools. Examples of EDA layout processing tools are placement and routing tools. Efficient locking mechanism are described for facilitating parallel processing and to minimize blocking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: David Cross, Eric Nequist
  • Publication number: 20090172625
    Abstract: A method and mechanism is disclosed for identifying spacing and clearance based rule violations in an IC design. Shadows are employed to identify spacing and clearance based rule violations. The shadow approach of is particularly useful to identify width-dependent spacing and clearance violations, while avoiding false positives that exist with alternate approaches. The embodiments can be used with any type, configuration, or shape of layout objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Cadence Design systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Nequist
  • Publication number: 20090089720
    Abstract: A method and mechanism is disclosed for identifying and tracking nets in an electrical design. A hierarchical design does not have to be flattened to perform the operation of identifying and tracking nets. To identify sets of connected shapes, instead of having to unfold the entire design hierarchy, only the specific instances of shapes falling within the geometric bounds of shapes identified as being part of a net needs to be unfolded to perform the search. When composing the list of nets for a hierarchical design, the unfolded shapes at other hierarchical levels of the design can be derived based upon virtual terminal structures that implicitly references nets and objects at other levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Eric Nequist
  • Patent number: 7461359
    Abstract: A method and mechanism is disclosed for identifying connected shapes and objects in an electrical design. The entire hierarchical design does not have to be flattened to perform the operation of identifying connected objects for a specific object. Instead of unfolding the entire design hierarchy, only the specific instances of shapes falling within the geometric bounds of shapes need to be unfolded to perform the search.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Nequist
  • Publication number: 20080163134
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and computer program product for implementing model-based layout, placement, and routing. Models are used to guide the placement and routing of polygons on the IC layout. In effect, the parameters that are used for placement and routing are guided by the model data so that the layout can be formed with a high degree of manufacturability from the outset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Nequist, Richard Brashears
  • Publication number: 20080163150
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and computer program product for implementing model-based floorplanning, layout, placement, and routing. Models are used to guide the placement and routing of polygons on the IC layout based upon predictions of manufacturing variations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: David White, Eric Nequist
  • Patent number: 7100128
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a design of an electronic circuit uses slices. The method includes generating one or more slices, each slice comprising a contiguous region of the design, and generating an set comprising one or more bins for each slice. A search for an object may be performed by determining a search area, and identifying slices containing at least a portion of the search area. For each identified slice, each object within the search area is associated with one of the bins of the set for the slice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Nequist, Jeffrey Scott Salowe, Steven Lee Pucci
  • Patent number: 7100129
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a design of an electronic circuit includes tessellating the design into a grid of rectangles, selecting at least one rectangle as a first level parent rectangle, and generating a plurality of second level child rectangles based on the first level parent rectangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Salowe, Eric Nequist
  • Patent number: 6983440
    Abstract: A method of simulating a design of an electronic system having multiple layers includes, for each layer, storing a plurality of shape occurrences for the layer. A hierarchy of shape instances having a plurality of levels is generated. Each shape instance corresponds to one of the shape occurrences. A hierarchy of shadow instances having a plurality of levels is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Nequist
  • Patent number: 6981235
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a design of an electronic circuit may include selecting a query object in a collection of sets of intervals for the design, where each set of intervals along a first common axis, the collection of sets along a second common axis. Candidate objects within the collection that are candidates to be closest to the query object may be identified. A nearest neighbor object is selected from the candidate objects, the nearest neighbor object having shortest distance to the query object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Salowe, Steven Lee Pucci, Eric Nequist