Abstract: Integrated circuits (IC) are provided. An IC includes a plurality of macros and a top channel. Each macro includes a macro boundary and a main pattern surrounded by the macro boundary. The top channel includes a plurality of first and second sub-channels. Each first sub-channel is arranged between a first macro and a second macro, and is formed by a plurality of first dummy boundary cells. Each second sub-channel is arranged between two of the second macros, and is formed by a plurality of second dummy boundary cells. The macro boundaries of the first macros are formed by the first dummy boundary cells, and the macro boundaries of the second macros are formed by the second dummy boundary cells. A first gate length of dummy patterns within the first dummy boundary cells is greater than a second gate length of dummy patterns within the second dummy boundary cells.

Abstract: A method of forming an IC structure includes forming first and second power rails at a power rail level. First metal segments are formed at a first metal level above the power rail level. Each first metal segment of the plurality of first metal segments overlap one or both of the first power rail or the second power rail. First vias are formed between the power rail level and the first metal level. Second metal segments are formed at a second metal level above the first metal level. At least one second metal segment of the plurality of second metal segments overlaps the first power rail. At least one second metal segment of the plurality of second metal segments overlaps the second power rail. A plurality of second vias are formed between the first metal level and the second metal level.

Abstract: A device including functional blocks and dummy cells. The functional blocks include a first functional block and a second functional block. Each dummy cell having a cell boundary defined by non-functioning active areas and non-functioning gates for filling space between the functional blocks and including a dummy cell configured to be situated between the first functional block and the second functional block such that the dummy cell directly abuts each of the first functional block and the second functional block.

Abstract: Integrated circuits (IC) are provided. An IC includes a plurality of macros and a top channel. Each macro includes a macro boundary and a main pattern surrounded by the macro boundary. The top channel includes a plurality of first and second sub-channels. Each first sub-channel is arranged between a first macro and a second macro, and is formed by a plurality of first dummy boundary cells. Each second sub-channel is arranged between two of the second macros, and is formed by a plurality of second dummy boundary cells. The macro boundaries of the first macros are formed by the first dummy boundary cells, and the macro boundaries of the second macros are formed by the second dummy boundary cells. A first gate length of dummy patterns within the first dummy boundary cells is greater than a second gate length of dummy patterns within the second dummy boundary cells.

Abstract: Methods for inserting dummy boundary cells in an integrated circuit (IC) are provided. A plurality of macros and a top channel are merged into floorplan of the IC. The top channel is arranged between the macros and is filled with a plurality of first dummy boundary cells, and each of the macros includes a macro boundary and a main pattern surrounded by the macro boundary. The first dummy boundary cells within the top channel and between a first macro and a second macro are replaced with a plurality of second dummy boundary cells. The macro boundaries of the first and second macros are formed by the second dummy boundary cells. First gate length of dummy patterns within the first dummy boundary cells is greater than second gate length of dummy patterns within the second dummy boundary cells. The first and second dummy boundary cells are the same size.

Abstract: A method of forming an IC structure includes forming first and second power rails at a power rail level. First metal segments are formed at a first metal level above the power rail level. Each first metal segment of the plurality of first metal segments overlap one or both of the first power rail or the second power rail. First vias are formed between the power rail level and the first metal level. Second metal segments are formed at a second metal level above the first metal level. At least one second metal segment of the plurality of second metal segments overlaps the first power rail. At least one second metal segment of the plurality of second metal segments overlaps the second power rail. A plurality of second vias are formed between the first metal level and the second metal level.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) structure includes a power rail oriented in a power rail direction and first metal segments above the power rail, oriented in a first metal level direction perpendicular to the power rail direction. First vias positioned between the power rail and the first metal segments are positioned at locations where first metal segments overlap the power rail. A second metal segment is positioned above the first metal segments, overlaps the power rail, and is oriented in the power rail direction. Second vias are positioned above the first vias between the first metal segments and the second metal segments, and a power strap is positioned above the second metal segment. The power strap is electrically connected to the power rail, each first metal segment of the plurality of first metal segments has a minimum width, and the power strap has a width greater than a minimum width.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a plurality of gate structures arranged over a substrate and between adjacent ones of a plurality of source/drain regions within the substrate. A plurality of conductive contacts are electrically coupled to the plurality of source/drain regions. A first interconnect wire is arranged over the plurality of conductive contacts, and a second interconnect wire arranged over the first interconnect wire. A via rail contacts the first interconnect wire and the second interconnect wire. The via rail has an outer sidewall that faces an outermost edge of the plurality of source/drain regions and that is laterally separated from the outermost edge of the plurality of source/drain regions by a non-zero distance. The outer sidewall of the via rail continuously extends past two or more of the plurality of gate structures.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method may be performed by forming first and second source regions within a substrate. The first and second source regions are separated by a drain region along a first direction. First and second middle-end-of-the-line (MEOL) structures are formed over the substrate. The first and second MEOL structures have bottom surfaces that continually extend past edges of the first and second source regions, respectively, along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A power rail is formed that is electrically coupled to the first and second MEOL structures. The power rail has a first interconnect wire, a via rail on and in contact with the first interconnect wire, and a second interconnect wire on and in contact with the via rail. The via rail continuously extends along the first direction past the first and second MEOL structures.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a first conductive interconnect wire extending in a first direction over a substrate. A second conductive interconnect wire is arranged over the first conductive interconnect wire. A via rail is configured to electrically couple the first conductive interconnect wire and the second conductive interconnect wire. The first conductive interconnect wire and the second conductive interconnect wire extend as continuous structures past one or more sides of the via rail.

Abstract: Methods for inserting dummy boundary cells in an integrated circuit (IC) are provided. A plurality of macros and a top channel are merged into floorplan of the IC. The top channel is arranged between the macros and is filled with a plurality of first dummy boundary cells, and each of the macros includes a macro boundary and a main pattern surrounded by the macro boundary. The first dummy boundary cells within the top channel and between a first macro and a second macro are replaced with a plurality of second dummy boundary cells. The macro boundaries of the first and second macros are formed by the second dummy boundary cells. First gate length of dummy patterns within the first dummy boundary cells is greater than second gate length of dummy patterns within the second dummy boundary cells. The first and second dummy boundary cells are the same size.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a source region and a drain region separated by a channel region within a substrate. A middle-end-of-the-line (MEOL) structure is over the drain region and a gate structure is over the channel region. The MEOL structure is vertically disposed between the drain region and a plane extending along an upper surface of the gate structure. A first interconnect wire is connected to the MEOL structure by a first conductive contact that is directly over the drain region and that extends between the first interconnect wire and the MEOL structure. A conductive strap is located over the first interconnect wire. The conductive strap connects the first interconnect wire to a power rail having a larger width than the first interconnect wire.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a first conductive interconnect wire extending in a first direction over a substrate. A second conductive interconnect wire is arranged over the first conductive interconnect wire. A via rail is configured to electrically couple the first conductive interconnect wire and the second conductive interconnect wire. The first conductive interconnect wire and the second conductive interconnect wire extend as continuous structures past one or more sides of the via rail.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit having a via rail that prevents reliability concerns such as electro-migration. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit has a first plurality of conductive contacts arranged over a semiconductor substrate. A first metal interconnect wire is arranged over the first plurality of conductive contacts, and a second metal interconnect wire is arranged over the first metal interconnect wire. A via rail is arranged over the first metal interconnect wire and electrically couples the first metal interconnect wire and the second metal interconnect wire. The via rail has a length that continuously extends over two or more of the plurality of conductive contacts. The length of via rail provides for an increased cross-sectional area both between the first metal interconnect wire and the second metal interconnect wire and along a length of the via rail, thereby mitigating electro-migration within the integrated circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a source region and a drain region separated by a channel region within a substrate. A middle-end-of-the-line (MEOL) structure is over the drain region and a gate structure is over the channel region. The MEOL structure is vertically disposed between the drain region and a plane extending along an upper surface of the gate structure. A first interconnect wire is connected to the MEOL structure by a first conductive contact that is directly over the drain region and that extends between the first interconnect wire and the MEOL structure. A conductive strap is located over the first interconnect wire. The conductive strap connects the first interconnect wire to a power rail having a larger width than the first interconnect wire.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method is performed by forming gate structures and middle-end-of-the-line (MEOL) structures extending in a first direction over an active area of a substrate. The MEOL structures are interleaved between the gate structures along a second direction. The method further forms a power rail and a first metal wire extending in the second direction. The first metal wire is over the MEOL structures. A double patterning process is performed to form second and third metal wires extending in the first direction over the first metal wire and separated in the second direction. The second metal wire is cut according to a first cut region of a first cut mask to define a first metal strap connecting a first one of the MEOL structures to the power rail.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method may be performed by forming first and second source regions within a substrate. The first and second source regions are separated by a drain region along a first direction. First and second middle-end-of-the-line (MEOL) structures are formed over the substrate. The first and second MEOL structures have bottom surfaces that continually extend past edges of the first and second source regions, respectively, along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A power rail is formed that is electrically coupled to the first and second MEOL structures. The power rail has a first interconnect wire, a via rail on and in contact with the first interconnect wire, and a second interconnect wire on and in contact with the via rail. The via rail continuously extends along the first direction past the first and second MEOL structures.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method is performed by forming gate structures and middle-end-of-the-line (MEOL) structures extending in a first direction over an active area of a substrate. The MEOL structures are interleaved between the gate structures along a second direction. The method further forms a power rail and a first metal wire extending in the second direction. The first metal wire is over the MEOL structures. A double patterning process is performed to form second and third metal wires extending in the first direction over the first metal wire and separated in the second direction. The second metal wire is cut according to a first cut region of a first cut mask to define a first metal strap connecting a first one of the MEOL structures to the power rail.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) structure includes a power rail oriented in a power rail direction and first metal segments above the power rail, oriented in a first metal level direction perpendicular to the power rail direction. First vias positioned between the power rail and the first metal segments are positioned at locations where first metal segments overlap the power rail. A second metal segment is positioned above the first metal segments, overlaps the power rail, and is oriented in the power rail direction. Second vias are positioned above the first vias between the first metal segments and the second metal segments, and a power strap is positioned above the second metal segment. The power strap is electrically connected to the power rail, each first metal segment of the plurality of first metal segments has a minimum width, and the power strap has a width greater than a minimum width.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that uses a metal strap to improve performance and reduce electromigration by coupling a middle-end-of-the-line (MEOL) layer to a power rail. In some embodiments, the integrated chip has an active area with a plurality of source/drain regions. The active area contacts a MEOL structure extending in a first direction. A first metal wire extends in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, at a location overlying the MEOL structure. A metal strap extending in a first direction is arranged over the first metal wire. The metal strap is configured to connect the first metal line to a power rail (e.g., which may be held at a supply or ground voltage), which extends in the second direction. By connecting the MEOL structure to the power rail by way of a metal strap, parasitic capacitance and electromigration may be reduced.