Patent ID: 9262572
Filing Date: 2016-02-16
CPC Classification: G06F

Claim Text:
1. A method, comprising: identifying, using a computer processor, x- and y-coordinates of switching cells and decoupling capacitors in a design for an integrated circuit; dividing, using the computer processor, the design into a selected number of equally sized bins of selected x- and y-dimensions; associating each decoupling capacitor of the decoupling capacitors with one of the bins that includes the x- and y-coordinates of that decoupling capacitor; identifying for each switching cell in the design, using the computer processor, a selected bin containing the switching cell; identifying, using the computer processor, the bins neighboring the selected bin in the design; identifying, using the computer processor, available decoupling capacitors in both the selected bin and the neighboring bins, wherein the available decoupling capacitors are within a selected distance from the switching cell in the selected bin, and wherein the available decoupling capacitors comprise decoupling capacitors that are not used for another switching cell in the design; and assessing, using the computer processor, if there are a sufficient number of the available decoupling capacitors in both the selected bin and the neighboring bins to provide voltage stability for the switching cell in the selected bin.