Predictable repeater routing in an integrated circuit design
US7487488B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 2006 |
| Grant date | Feb 3, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F30/394
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A mechanism is disclosed for assigning repeaters to signal paths in an integrated circuit design. The mechanism involves reserving, in a first metal layer of the integrated circuit design, metal tracks for routing signals. Access points to a plurality of repeaters are reserved in a second metal layer of the integrated circuit design. Each access point is associated with a particular repeater. The design may have other layers between the second metal layer and a region reserved for the repeaters. The number of repeaters may be based on the number of metal tracks that are available to route signals through the first region. Signal paths are assigned routes that comprise at least a portion of one or more of the metal tracks. A route from signal paths requiring a repeater to access points to a particular repeater is determined. Thus, the signal paths are assigned to a repeater.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.