Placement and routing method to reduce Joule heating
US7155686B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 9, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 26, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L2924/0002
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A new method to optimize a signal routing in an integrated circuit is achieved. The method comprises providing a signal routing in an integrated circuit layout. The signal routing comprises a configuration of metal lines in a stack of metal levels. Each metal level is separated from an underlying substrate by dielectric material. A Joule heating estimate is calculated for the signal routing. The Joule heating estimate is compared to a standard value. The signal routing is updated if the Joule heating estimate exceeds the standard value. The updating comprises generating a new configuration of the metal lines in the metal levels. The new configuration reduces the Joule heating. The steps of calculating, comparing, and updating are repeated if the Joule heating estimate still exceeds the standard value. Joule heating is reduced by either routing on lower metal levels or by coupling the signal routing to a heat sink.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.