Patent ID: 8261223
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for specifying positions of a plurality of instances and the orientation for each rotatable instance thereof within an integrated circuit (IC) by converging total overflow ratio (TOFR), wherein TOFR indicates the degree of instance overlap, and is based on the parameters comprising at least one of the area occupied by moveable instances and the area not occupied by pre-placed instances that is available for accommodating moveable instances, the method comprising using a computer to perform the steps of: a. defining a hierarchy of blocks, wherein a parent block residing at the next higher level of the hierarchy comprises a plurality of component block instances or cell instances or rotatable instances residing at current level of the hierarchy; and b. for each hierarchy level from the highest level to the lowest level one by one, generating a placement within the hierarchy level, further comprising the steps of: