Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Richard Henkler, Esq.
  • Patent number: 6606729
    Abstract: A method and system for creating a worst case scenario model for a given integrated circuit. The method comprises the steps of sorting skew parameters of each device into groups; and assigning a positive or negative value for each one of the groups to represent the effect of the corresponding skew parameters on the functionality of the integrated circuit. The preferred embodiment of the invention provides some of the benefits of both conventional corner simulation and Monte Carlo simulation. This approach can be implemented with only a few additional simulation iterations, which mitigates the disadvantage of Monte Carlo simulations requiring many simulation iterations. Also, this approach allows a greater degree of flexibility with respect to determining a specific corner file definition, allowing the designer to explore a greater area of model parameter space to insure that the circuit will meet performance requirements over extremes of process technology variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Blaine J. Gross, Mukesh Kumar