Patent · US Active

Method of placing and routing for power optimization and timing closure

US7992122B1 · kind B1 · utility

184Cited by
8References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 25, 2005
Grant dateAug 2, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 2, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F2119/12
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method, algorithm, software, architecture and/or system for placing circuit blocks and routing signal paths or connections between the circuit blocks in a circuit design is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of placing and routing can include: (i) routing signal paths in one or more upper metal layers for connecting circuit blocks; (ii) adjusting the circuit blocks based on electrical characteristics of the signal paths; and (iii) routing in one or more lower metal layers connections between the circuit blocks and the upper layers. The circuit blocks can include standard cells, blocks, or gates configured to implement a logic or timing function, other components, and/or integrated circuits, for example. Embodiments of the present invention can advantageously reduce power consumption and improve timing closure in an automated place-and-route flow.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.