Abstract: A delay library generation apparatus, associated control method, and associated program are provided. The delay library generation apparatus comprises a storage device which stores architecture information of a logic element array, layout data of an overall programmable logic device, a netlist of the overall programmable logic device, and a wiring route extraction unit which refers to the storage device and extracts wiring route information regarding a wiring route section based on the architecture information. Moreover, the delay library generation apparatus comprises an analyzing unit which analyzes the layout data of the logic device and extracts parameters of a parasitic element and a crosstalk between adjacent interconnections. The delay generation apparatus further comprises a delay calculation unit which calculates delay data based on the extracted parameters and a delay library generation unit which generates a delay library of the logic device based on the wiring route information and the delay data.

Abstract: A tool includes one or more machine readable storage mediums encoded with data. The data include a list of standard cells included in an integrated circuit (IC) design The data include a nominal leakage value approximating a respective median leakage value for each of the plurality of standard cells at a predetermined temperature and voltage. The data include at least one table including adjustment factors for calculating leakage based on voltage, temperature and process variations. The table includes a respective statistical scaling factor, for computing a mean leakage corresponding to a given median leakage. A processor is programmed to calculate and output a total IC leakage for the IC design at an input voltage and input temperature, based on the list, the nominal leakage values, the input voltage, the input temperature and at least one of the adjustment factors.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for electrical yield enhancement retargeting of photolithographic layouts. Optical proximity correction is performed on a set of target patterns in order to produce a set of optical proximity correction mask shapes. A set of lithographic contours is generated for each of the set of optical proximity correction mask shapes. A determination is made of electrical yield sensitivities for at least one shape in a set of shapes in the set of target patterns. A determination is also made as to an amount and a direction of retargeting for each shape in the set of shapes based on the electrical yield sensitivity of the shape. A new set of target patterns with retargeted edges is generated for each shape based on the amount and the direction of retargeting.

Abstract: A computer system selects a signal conductor from an electronic circuit design layout and assigns a first potential to the selected signal conductor. Next, the computer system assigns a second potential to other signal conductors included in the electronic circuit design layout. The computer system then selects a metal fill from the electronic circuit design layout, which is void from carrying an electrical signal, and generates a zero charge equation for the selected metal fill. The zero charge equation establishes that a total charge residing on the selected metal fill is equal to zero. The computer system includes the zero charge equation in a system of equations, which includes grid point potential equations, and solves the system of equations. In turn, the computer system computes capacitance values for the signal conductors based upon the system of equation solutions, and simulates the electronic circuit design layout using the computed capacitance values.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for electronic design automation (EDA) that effects the identification, and possibly removal, of certain duplicate circuit components. A signature value representing a circuit component is used to help identify potential duplicates. A signature table stores information about one or more components that share a corresponding signature value. The table is populated during the course of processing the design for duplicate extraction. As each component in the design is encountered, a signature for the component is determined and used to access the signature table information. The current component is compared to any component found by using the signature table and a circuit design modification is indicated to consolidate the components if they are duplicative. The signature table is maintained to reflect the most recent component encountered for a given signature.

Abstract: An electronic device reads a layout file of a printed circuit board (PCB) to be manufactured from a storage device, obtains length information and section area information of copper cladding distributed on power source areas and ground trace areas in each of one or more layers of the PCB to be manufactured by analyzing the layout file, and calculates power loss in each of the one or more layers according to the length information, the section area information, a resistance value of the copper cladding, and preset parameters of a power supply module and an integrated circuit (IC) load to be located on the PCB. In response to a determination that the power loss in the layer exceeds a preset range, the electronic device indicates the locations of the power source areas and the ground trace areas of a layer in the PCB layout file which need to be redesigned.

Abstract: A method for writing a design to a material using an electron beam includes assigning a first dosage to a first polygonal shape. The first polygonal shape occupies a first virtual layer and includes a first set of pixels. The method also includes simulating a first write operation using the first polygonal shape to create the design, discerning an error in the simulated first write operation, and assigning a second dosage to a second polygonal shape to reduce the error. The second polygonal shape occupies a second virtual layer. The method further includes creating a data structure that includes the first and second polygonal shapes and saving the data structure to a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

Abstract: An abstract decision module primitive for placement within a logical representation (i.e., a netlist) of a circuit design is described. The decision module primitive receives as inputs alternative solutions for a given function or segment of a netlist. The alternative solutions include functionally equivalent, but structurally different implementations of the function or segment of the netlist. The decision module primitive alternatively selects between connecting one of the inputs to the netlist to provide a complete functional definition for the netlist based on constraint information. The selected input of the decision module may be updated as additional constraint information is determined throughout the various stages of the design process. In addition, alternative solutions for a given function or segment of the netlist may be added to and/or removed from the inputs of a decision module as additional constraint information is identified.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit design apparatus for analyzing a delay in a semiconductor integrated circuit. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes a delay analysis unit, a noise generation unit, a voltage fluctuation level analysis unit and a timing verification unit. The noise generation unit generates noise information based on a predetermined noise definition and the voltage fluctuation level analysis unit analyzes a voltage fluctuation level of the semiconductor integrated circuit when the noise is applied based on the generated noise information. Further, the timing verification unit makes the delay analysis unit analyze the static delay based on the analyzed voltage fluctuation level, to verify timing for operation of the semiconductor integrated circuit based on a result of the static delay analysis.

Abstract: An automated method for aligning a critical datapath in an integrated circuit design inserts an artificial alignment net in the netlist which interconnects all cells in the bit stack of the datapath. The cells are placed using a wirelength optimization which assigns weights to wire sections based on the alignment direction. The rate of change of the alignment weighting value can vary during different stages of global placement. The invention is particularly suited for a force-directed placer which uses a linear system solver to obtain a globally optimum solution for placement of the cells having some overlap among the cells, and thereafter spreads the cells to reduce the overlap. Pseudo nets are also inserted which interconnect a cell and an expected location of the cell after spreading for that iteration.

Abstract: One or more hardware description language (HDL) files describe a plurality of hierarchically arranged design entities defining a digital design to be simulated and a plurality of configuration entities not belonging to the digital design that logically control settings of a plurality of configuration latches in the digital design. The HDL file(s) are compiled to obtain a simulation executable model of the digital design and an associated configuration database. The compiling includes parsing a configuration statement that specifies an association between an instance of a configuration entity and a specified configuration latch, determining whether or not the specified configuration latch is described in the HDL file(s), and if not, creating an indication in the configuration database that the instance of the configuration latch had a specified association to a configuration latch to which it failed to bind.

Abstract: A method receives an initial circuit design. The circuit design includes at least one path having at least one beginning point comprising a source, at least one ending point comprising a sink, and one or more circuit elements between the source and the sink. The method evaluates timing performance parameter sensitivities to manufacturing variations of each of the elements to identify how much each element will increase or decrease the timing performance parameter of the path for each change in each manufacturing variable associated with manufacturing the elements. Further, the method alters the elements within the path until elements that produce positive changes to the timing performance parameter for a given manufacturing variable change approximately equals (in magnitude) elements that produce negative changes to the timing performance parameter for the given manufacturing variable change, to produce an altered circuit design.

Abstract: A method includes performing a place and route operation using an electronic design automation tool to generate a preliminary layout for a photomask to be used to form a circuit pattern of a semiconductor device. The place and route operation is constrained by a plurality of single patterning spacer technique (SPST) routing rules. Dummy conductive fill patterns are emulated within the EDA tool using an RC extraction tool to predict locations and sizes of dummy conductive fill patterns to be added to the preliminary layout of the photomask. An RC timing analysis of the circuit pattern is performed within the EDA tool, based on the preliminary layout and the emulated dummy conductive fill patterns.

Abstract: Within a dynamic array architecture, an irregular wire layout region within a portion of a chip level layout is bracketed by placing first and second regular wire layout shapes on a first and second sides, respectively, of the irregular wire layout region. One or more irregular wire layout shapes are placed within the irregular wire layout region. A first edge spacing is maintained between the first regular wire layout shape and a first outer irregular wire layout shape within the irregular wire layout region nearest to the first regular wire layout shape. A second edge spacing is maintained between the second regular wire layout shape and a second outer irregular wire layout shape within the irregular wire layout region nearest to the second regular wire layout shape. The first and second edge spacings are defined to optimize lithography of the regular and irregular wire layout shapes.

Abstract: A system and method that does trustworthy multi-objective structural synthesis of analog circuits, and extracts expert analog circuit knowledge from the resulting tradeoffs. The system defines a space of thousands of possible topologies via a hierarchically organized combination of designer-trusted analog building blocks, the resulting topologies are guaranteed trustworthy. The system can perform a search based on a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm that uses an age-layered population structure to balance exploration vs. exploitation, with operators that make the search space a hybrid between vector-based and tree-based representations. A scheme employing average ranking on Pareto fronts is used to handle a high number of objectives. Good initial topology sizings are quickly generated via multi-gate constraint satisfaction.

Abstract: Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography flare calculation and compensation is disclosed herein. A method of calculating flare for a mask for use in EUV lithography includes decomposing the flare power spectrum density (PSD) into a low frequency component and a high frequency component. Further, the method includes receiving a plurality of layouts in a flare map generator. Each of the plurality of layouts corresponds to a chip pattern location on the mask. Moreover, the method includes generating, using the flare map generator, a low frequency flare map for the mask from the low frequency component by using fast Fourier transform (FFT).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for reducing power supply noise within an electronic system that includes an integrated circuit (IC), a package, and a printed circuit board (PCB) connected by a plurality of power delivery networks (PDN) is disclosed. Power supply noise within the system is reduced by defining a voltage compression limit for each PDN of the electronic system; determining a voltage compression for each PDN of the electronic system during a plurality of switching events; comparing the voltage compression of each PDN of the electronic system to the voltage compression limit for each switching event; and in response to the voltage compression of each PDN of the electronic system exceeding the limit, modifying the electronic system to reduce the voltage compression below the limit.

Abstract: A method of generating net routing constraints for nets of an IC design includes generating a file with hashes organized by nets. Each hash has attributes of a net, e.g. net name, length, fanout, total actual route (AR) resistance, a corresponding virtual route (VR) resistance, and a number of vias. A wire only AR resistance for each net can be calculated. Wire scaling factors can be calculated using the wire only AR resistances and their corresponding VR resistances. Wire scaling factors can be binned by one or more net characteristics. An average wire scaling factor can be calculated for each bin. Code used by a place and route tool can then be generated, wherein the code applies the average wire scaling factors to nets of the design to improve pre-route and post-route correlation.

Abstract: A via design apparatus includes a determination section that determines a value of a shape parameter indicating a shape of a via in a multilayer board. The via has a hole passing through the plurality of layers and a conductive section on a side wall of the hole. The apparatus also includes a calculation section that calculates a value of impedance of the via according to the value of the shape parameter.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable storage medium for logic synthesis that adjust a timing model of a circuit are provided. A first memory element from multiple memory elements of the circuit may be determined, where the first memory element is connected with a first portion of the circuit and is controlled by at least one first control signal. A combinational element within the first portion of the circuit may be determined. The combinational element may include at least one input or output coupled with a second memory element. The second memory element may be controlled by at least one second control signal. The second control signal may be incompatible with the first control signal. A first timing element may be inserted into the circuit at a location connecting the first timing element with the combinational element. A synthesis optimization may be performed utilizing the at least one first timing element.