Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for a surge protection apparatus (10), comprising a disconnecting device (18) which includes a spring arm (20) having an end-side contact point (24) and a holding element (22). The holding element (22) and the contact point (24) are opposite each other in an initial position of the assembly (11). A thermally softenable material (26) is provided between the holding element (22) and the contact point (24) which connects the spring arm (20) both mechanically and electrically to the holding element (22). The assembly (11) has a remote signaling contact (50) which has a mechanical separating point (48). The spring arm (20), the holding element (22) and the remote signaling contact (50) are produced from a common stamped metal sheet (14). The stamped metal sheet (14) is at least partially insert-molded with a plastic material which forms a frame (16) The invention furthermore relates to a surge protection apparatus.

Abstract: Aspects for designing a timing closure of an integrated circuit include instantiating a minimum repeater between at least one block and a corresponding blockage if an interconnect crosses the corresponding blockage and according to a drive of the blockage. The aspects further include instantiating one or more smallest repeaters between at least one pair of connected blocks depending upon a drive of a corresponding interconnect, the instantiation of the smallest repeater being based on pre-determined criteria.

Abstract: Aspects for designing a timing closure of an integrated circuit include instantiating a minimum repeater between at least one block and a corresponding blockage if an interconnect crosses the corresponding blockage and according to a drive of the blockage. The aspects further include instantiating one or more smallest repeaters between at least one pair of connected blocks depending upon a drive of a corresponding interconnect, the instantiation of the smallest repeater being based on pre-determined criteria.

Abstract: In accordance with a method for generating a trial placement plan for an IC having two or more identical modules, a floor plan reserves a separate area of identical size and shape for each of the identical modules, one of which is designated a “master module” and the others designated “clone modules”. A placement and routing (P&R) tool initially places all of the cell instances of the clone modules at the center of their reserved areas. The P&R tool then employs a conventional placement algorithm to iteratively adjust positions of cell instances of all other modules, including the master module within their reserved areas in a manner that tries to minimize net lengths. The P&R tool copies the placement within the master module area into the clone module areas either after every N>0 iterations of the placement algorithm and/or after the placement algorithm has completed placement for the master module area.