Patents by Inventor Mark Waller

Mark Waller 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: 8707239
    Abstract: An iterative technique is used to automatically route nets and alter spacing of an integrated circuit design to achieve a fully routed and compact result. After identifying solid and hollow channels, the technique automatically places route paths to connect pins of cells in the solid channels, where route paths may be placed within the solid channels or hollow channels. The technique can reduce a width of at least one hollow channel when an entire space of the hollow channel is not occupied by a placed route path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Pulsic Limited
    Inventor: Mark Waller
  • Patent number: 8490036
    Abstract: A system and technique to specifies patterns to search for in an integrated circuit layout, and specifies proposed replacement patterns. A description file includes specifications for one or more patterns to be searched for. In the description file, for each pattern, there may be one or more proposed replacement patterns. The description file is read. Pattern matches, if any, in a layout are found. A proposed replacement pattern is tested in place of a matched pattern. If acceptable, the proposed pattern may be used to replace the matched pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Pulsic Limited
    Inventor: Mark Waller
  • Patent number: 8479141
    Abstract: A method and technique of routing interconnects of an integrated circuit providing improved routing quality. In an embodiment of the invention, the technique provides linear spine interconnect routing. In memory array blocks, such as in DRAM and SRAM memory designs, connected pins are generally separated by large distances in a first direction and small distances in a second direction, or a spine or channel region. A route area is defined within the spine region. In one embodiment, obstacles in the route area are identified and corresponding forbidden areas are demarcated. The linear spine interconnect is routed in the first direction within the route area while avoiding the forbidden areas. Pins are connected to the spine interconnect by stitching interconnects. Stitching interconnects are generally routed in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Pulsic Limited
    Inventors: Mark Waller, Tim Parker, Mark Williams, Jeremy Birch, Graham Balsdon, Fumiako Sato
  • Patent number: 8479139
    Abstract: A system automatically routes interconnect of an integrated circuit design using variable width interconnect lines. For example, a first automatically routed interconnect may have a different width from a second automatically routed interconnect. The system will vary the width of the interconnect lines based on certain factors or criteria. These factors include current or power handling, reliability, electromigration, voltage drops, self-heating, optical proximity effects, or other factors, or combinations of these factors. The system may use a gridded or a gridless (or shape-based) approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Pulsic Limited
    Inventors: Graham Baldsdon, Jeremy Birch, Mark Williams, Mark Waller, Tim Parker, Fumiaki Sato
  • Patent number: 8332805
    Abstract: A system of automatically routing interconnect of a integrated circuit design while taking into consideration the parasitic issues of the wiring as it is created. The system will be able to select an appropriate wiring pattern so that signals meet their performance requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Pulsic Limited
    Inventors: Jeremy Birch, Mark Waller, Mark Williams, Graham Balsdon, Fumiaki Sato, Tim Parker
  • Patent number: 8332799
    Abstract: An iterative technique is used to automatically route nets and alter spacing of an integrated circuit design to achieve a fully routed and compact result. After identifying solid and hollow channels, the technique automatically places route paths to connect pins of cells in the solid channels, where route paths may be placed within the solid channels or hollow channels. The technique can reduce a width of at least one hollow channel when an entire space of the hollow channel is not occupied by a placed route path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Pulsic Limited
    Inventor: Mark Waller
  • Publication number: 20120110539
    Abstract: A technique will automatically route interconnect of an integrated circuit and adjust spacing between tracks or interconnect in order to improve performance or reduce electromigration effects. By increasing spacing between certain tracks or moving tracks, performance can improve because a track will be more noise immunity from nearby tracks on the same layer or on different layers. The automatic router will adjust spacing between tracks depending on one or more factors. These factors may include current associated with a track, width of a track, capacitance, inductance, and electromigration. In a specific implementation, the technique uses a shape-based approach where a grid is not used. The technique may further vary the width of the tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: PULSIC LIMITED
    Inventors: Jeremy Birch, Mark Waller, Graham Balsdon
  • Patent number: 8171447
    Abstract: A technique will automatically route interconnect of an integrated circuit while taking into consideration current density rules. In an implementation, the technique uses a shape-based approach where a grid is not used. Based on data input including current density and a frequency of each net, the technique will determine the current requirements for each net. In an implementation, the technique forms a Steiner tree for a net, and routs using the Steiner tree. The technique widens nets having greater current requirements; adjacent wiring may be pushed aside to create sufficient space for wider nets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Pulsic Limited
    Inventors: Graham Balsdon, Jeremy Birch, Mark Williams, Mark Waller, Tim Parker, Fumiaki Sato
  • Patent number: 8099700
    Abstract: A method and technique of routing interconnects of an integrated circuit providing improved routing quality. In an embodiment of the invention, the technique provides linear spine interconnect routing. In memory array blocks, such as in DRAM and SRAM memory designs, connected pins are generally separated by large distances in a first direction and small distances in a second direction, or a spine or channel region. A route area is defined within the spine region. In one embodiment, obstacles in the route area are identified and corresponding forbidden areas are demarcated. The linear spine interconnect is routed in the first direction within the route area while avoiding the forbidden areas. Pins are connected to the spine interconnect by stitching interconnects. Stitching interconnects are generally routed in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Pulsic Limited
    Inventors: Mark Waller, Tim Parker, Mark Williams, Jeremy Birch, Graham Balsdon, Fumiako Sato
  • Patent number: 8095903
    Abstract: A technique will automatically route interconnect of an integrated circuit and adjust spacing between tracks or interconnect in order to improve performance or reduce electromigration effects. By increasing spacing between certain tracks or moving tracks, performance can improve because a track will be more noise immunity from nearby tracks on the same layer or on different layers. The automatic router will adjust spacing between tracks depending on one or more factors. These factors may include current associated with a track, width of a track, capacitance, inductance, and electromigration. In a specific implementation, the technique uses a shape-based approach where a grid is not used. The technique may further vary the width of the tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Pulsic Limited
    Inventors: Jeremy Birch, Mark Waller, Graham Balsdon
  • Publication number: 20110276937
    Abstract: An iterative technique is used to automatically route nets and alter spacing of an integrated circuit design to achieve a fully routed and compact result. After identifying cells rows and channel, which are gaps between the rows, the technique determines which nets should be routed in which areas. Spine routing is used for nets than span more than one row or channel. Alter the space between rows, larger or smaller, which will allow routing of the nets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: PULSIC LIMITED
    Inventor: Mark Waller
  • Patent number: 8010928
    Abstract: A system of automatically routing interconnect of a integrated circuit design while taking into consideration the parasitic issues of the wiring as it is created. The system will be able to select an appropriate wiring pattern so that signals meet their performance requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Pulsic Limited
    Inventors: Jeremy Birch, Mark Waller, Mark Williams, Graham Balsdon, Fumiaki Sato, Tim Parker
  • Patent number: 7984411
    Abstract: An iterative technique is used to automatically route nets and alter spacing of an integrated circuit design to achieve a fully routed and compact result. After identifying cells rows and channel, which are gaps between the rows, the technique determines which nets should be routed in which areas. Spine routing is used for nets than span more than one row or channel. Alter the space between rows, larger or smaller, which will allow routing of the nets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Pulsic Limited
    Inventor: Mark Waller
  • Patent number: 7823113
    Abstract: A method and technique of routing interconnects of an integrated circuit providing improved routing quality. In an embodiment of the invention, the technique provides linear spine interconnect routing. In memory array blocks, such as in DRAM and SRAM memory designs, connected pins are generally separated by large distances in a first direction and small distances in a second direction, or a spine or channel region. A route area is defined within the spine region. In one embodiment, obstacles in the route area are identified and corresponding forbidden areas are demarcated. The linear spine interconnect is routed in the first direction within the route area while avoiding the forbidden areas. Pins are connected to the spine interconnect by stitching interconnects. Stitching interconnects are generally routed in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Pulsic Limited
    Inventors: Mark Waller, Tim Parker, Mark Williams, Jeremy Birch, Graham Balsdon, Fumiako Sato
  • Patent number: 7802208
    Abstract: A method and technique of routing interconnects of an integrated circuit providing improved routing quality. In an embodiment of the invention, the technique provides linear spine interconnect routing. In memory array blocks, such as in DRAM and SRAM memory designs, connected pins are generally separated by large distances in a first direction and small distances in a second direction, or a spine or channel region. A route area is defined within the spine region. In one embodiment, obstacles in the route area are identified and corresponding forbidden areas are demarcated. The linear spine interconnect is routed in the first direction within the route area while avoiding the forbidden areas. Pins are connected to the spine interconnect by stitching interconnects. Stitching interconnects are generally routed in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Pulsic Limited
    Inventors: Mark Waller, Tim Parker, Mark Williams, Jeremy Birch, Graham Balsdon, Fumiako Sato
  • Patent number: 7784010
    Abstract: A system automatically routes interconnect of an integrated circuit design using variable width interconnect lines. For example, a first automatically routed interconnect may have a different width from a second automatically routed interconnect. The system will vary the width of the interconnect lines based on certain factors or criteria. These factors include current or power handling, reliability, electromigration, voltage drops, self-heating, optical proximity effects, or other factors, or combinations of these factors. The system may use a gridded or a gridless (or shape-based) approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Pulsic Limited
    Inventors: Graham Balsdon, Jeremy Birch, Mark Williams, Mark Waller, Tim Parker, Fumiaki Sato
  • Publication number: 20100122227
    Abstract: A system and technique to specifies patterns to search for in an integrated circuit layout, and specifies proposed replacement patterns. A description file includes specifications for one or more patterns to be searched for. In the description file, for each pattern, there may be one or more proposed replacement patterns. The description file is read. Pattern matches, if any, in a layout are found. A proposed replacement pattern is tested in place of a matched pattern. If acceptable, the proposed pattern may be used to replace the matched pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: PULSIC LIMITED
    Inventor: Mark Waller
  • Patent number: 7657852
    Abstract: A system and technique to specifies patterns to search for in an integrated circuit layout, and specifies proposed replacement patterns. A description file includes specifications for one or more patterns to be searched for. In the description file, for each pattern, there may be one or more proposed replacement patterns. The description file is read. Pattern matches, if any, in a layout are found. A proposed replacement pattern is tested in place of a matched pattern. If acceptable, the proposed pattern may be used to replace the matched pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Pulsic Limited
    Inventor: Mark Waller
  • Publication number: 20090327990
    Abstract: An iterative technique is used to automatically route nets and alter spacing of an integrated circuit design to achieve a fully routed and compact result. After identifying cells rows and channel, which are gaps between the rows, the technique determines which nets should be routed in which areas. Spine routing is used for nets than span more than one row or channel. Alter the space between rows, larger or smaller, which will allow routing of the nets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: PULSIC LIMITED
    Inventor: Mark Waller
  • Patent number: 7603644
    Abstract: An iterative technique is used to automatically route nets and alter spacing of an integrated circuit design to achieve a fully routed and compact result. After identifying cells rows and channel, which are gaps between the rows, the technique determines which nets should be routed in which areas. Spine routing is used for nets than span more than one row or channel. Alter the space between rows, larger or smaller, which will allow routing of the nets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Pulsic Limited
    Inventor: Mark Waller