Patent ID: 6360350
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for performing circuit analysis on an integrated circuit design having a plurality of networks, wherein each of said plurality of networks includes design data available in a format according to a design stage, said method comprising the steps of:categorizing design data within said integrated circuit design into one of at least three categories according to said design data's format, wherein a first of said at least three categories contains only logical circuit information, a second of said at least three categories contains wiring information, and a third of said at least three categories contains three-dimensional extraction information; performing a first circuit analysis on a network within said integrated circuit to design, in response to a determination that only logical circuit information is available within said network, utilizing said only logical circuit information within said first of said at least three categories; performing a second circuit analysis on a network within said integrated circuit design, in response to a determination that wiring information is available within said network, utilizing said wiring information within said second of said at least three categories; and performing a third circuit analysis on a network within said integrated circuit design, in response to a determination that three-dimensional extraction information is available within said network, utilizing said three-dimensional extraction information within said third of said at least three categories, such that circuit analysis can be performed on said integrated circuit design at any given design stage; and wherein said first circuit analysis step further includes a step of estimating a wire route utilizing said logical design information, a step of calculating wire capacitance by utilizing s aid estimated wire route, and a step of estimating total parasitic capacitance of said network by utilizing said calculated wire capacitance.