Method and apparatus for performing a path search
US7472366B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 2005 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F30/394
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Some embodiments of the invention provide a routing method. The routing method receives a set of nets to route in a region of an integrated circuit (“IC”) layout. The routing method defines routes for the nets in a manner that ensures that each segment of each route is not less than a minimum length that is required for the segment. In some embodiments, the routing method identifies a route for a net by performing one or more path search operations. Each path search operation identifies one set of path expansions that can be used to define a segment of a route for the net. A path search operation in some embodiments performs a viability check for each path expansion that it identifies, in order to ensure that any segment that might eventually result from an identified set of path expansions satisfies its minimum required length.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.