Patent ID: 6381731
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A computer implemented method comprising:determining a plurality of metrics for a selected one of a plurality of hierarchically organized design cells of an integrated circuit design to profile placements of the selected design cell's constituent design cells; and selectively grouping contents of the design cell, using said determined metrics, to form new intervening constituent design cells to re-express the selected design cell in terms of the new intervening constituent design cells, wherein said determination of metrics to profile placements of the selected design cell's constituent design cells comprises identifying a plurality of coordinates of the selected design cell, and determining correspondingly associated weights for the identified coordinates, further wherein said identification of coordinates comprises identifying a plurality of row/column coordinates, each row/column coordinate having at least one edge placed along or crossing the row/column coordinate, and said determination of correspondingly associated weights comprises assigning a weight to each identified row/column coordinate that is reflective of placement activities at the row/column coordinate.