Extendable method for revising patterned microelectronic conductor layer layouts

A method for revising a patterned conductor layer and a system for revising the patterned conductor layer employ an unoccupied equivalent wiring location. The unoccupied equivalent wiring location is provided in each of a series of wiring layout records. At least one optional wiring pattern may be formed in the unoccupied equivalent wiring location. The method and system provide for extending to all of the series of wiring layout records an optional wiring pattern and an interconnect option formed within a single one of the series of wiring layout records.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to methods for revising patterned conductor layer layouts employed for fabricating microelectronic fabrications. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for efficiently revising patterned conductor layer layouts employed for fabricating microelectronic fabrications.

2. Description of the Related Art

Microelectronic fabrications are formed from microelectronic substrates over which are formed patterned microelectronic conductor layers which are separated by microelectronic dielectric layers.

Integral to the fabrication of patterned microelectronic conductor layers within microelectronic fabrications is the design and development of patterned microelectronic conductor layer layouts employed for fabricating patterned microelectronic conductor layers within microelectronic fabrications. Such patterned microelectronic conductor layer layouts are generally designed and developed employing computer assisted design software programs and computer assisted simulation software programs, such as to verify prior to production of a particular microelectronic fabrication having fabricated therein a particular patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout the operational properties of the microelectronic fabrication, such as not to wastefully expend manufacturing resources when fabricating the particular microelectronic fabrication.

In the process of designing and developing patterned microelectronic conductor layer layouts for use when fabricating microelectronic fabrications, it is common in the art of microelectronic fabrication to employ any of several iterative methods for purposes of optimizing a patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout such as to in turn provide an enhanced microelectronic fabrication performance. While such iterative methods do in fact provide an optimized patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout which in turn provides an enhanced microelectronic fabrication performance, such iterative methods are often time consuming, in particular when employed for optimizing a library of patterned microelectronic conductor layer layouts which is employed within a corresponding library of related microelectronic fabrications such as to in turn optimize performance of the corresponding library of related microelectronic fabrications.

It is thus desirable in the art of microelectronic fabrication to provide methods for efficiently designing patterned microelectronic conductor layer layouts for use when fabricating microelectronic fabrications.

Various methods, apparatus and systems have been disclosed in the microelectronic fabrication art to assist in efficiently designing microelectronic layer layouts and microelectronic structure layouts which are employed when fabricating microelectronic fabrications.

Included among the methods, apparatus and systems, but not limited among the methods, apparatus and systems are methods, apparatus and systems disclosed within: (1) Yoshimura, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,675 (a method, apparatus and system for using hierarchally organized data to design a semiconductor integrated circuit microelectronic fabrication layout, wherein a plurality of macros and circuit logic cells within the semiconductor integrated circuit microelectronic fabrication layout is cross-referenced employing two types of pointers); (2) Scepanovic et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,702 (a method and system for designing a semiconductor integrated circuit microelectronic fabrication layout which employs an iterative assignment of flexibly placeable cells in subsets of increasingly smaller number, in conjunction with a corresponding iterative determination of various circuit performance penalties for placing the subsets within particular configurations); and (3) Takahashi, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,873 (a method, apparatus and system for hierarchal design of semiconductor integrated circuit microelectronic fabrication layouts wherein hard macro blocks are first positioned and interconnected with patterned conductor layers which cross over soft macro blocks, and wherein a circuit performance penalty is evaluated with respect to the soft macro blocks such as to provide for optimal placement of cell components within columns or rows within the soft macro blocks).

Desirable in the microelectronic fabrication art are additional methods, apparatus and systems which may be employed for efficiently designing patterned microelectronic conductor layer layouts for use when fabricating microelectronic fabrications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the present invention is to provide a method for designing a patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout for use when fabricating a microelectronic fabrication and a system for designing the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout for use when fabricating the microelectronic fabrication.

A second object of the present invention is to provide the method for designing the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout in accord with the first object of the present invention and a system for designing the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout in accord with the first object of the present invention, wherein the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout is efficiently designed.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a method for designing the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout in accord with the first object of the present invention and the second object of the present invention and a system for designing the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout in accord with the first object of the present invention and the second object of the present invention, wherein the method is readily commercially implemented.

In accord with the objects of the present invention, the present invention provides a method for revising a patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout within a microelectronic fabrication and a system for revising the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout within the microelectronic fabrication.

To practice the method of the present invention, there is first provided a layout database having contained therein a first series of wiring layout records for a first series of microelectronic fabrications. The first series of wiring layout records comprises: (1) a series of required wiring patterns for each microelectronic fabrication within the first series of microelectronic fabrications; and (2) an unoccupied equivalent wiring location for each microelectronic fabrication within the first series of microelectronic fabrications within which unoccupied equivalent wiring location may be formed at least one optional wiring pattern. There is then designed within an unoccupied equivalent wiring location for a single microelectronic fabrication within the first series of microelectronic fabrications at least one optional wiring pattern and an interconnect option to the at least one optional wiring pattern. There is then saved within the layout database a second series of wiring layout records based upon the first series of wiring layout records, but wherein the unoccupied equivalent wiring location is substituted with the at least one optional wiring pattern and the interconnect option.

The method of the present invention contemplates a computer assisted system employed for practicing the method of the present invention.

There is provided by the present invention a method for designing a patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout for use when fabricating a microelectronic fabrication and a system for designing the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout for use when fabricating the microelectronic fabrication, wherein the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout is efficiently designed while employing the method for designing the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout and the system for designing the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout.

The present invention realizes the foregoing object by providing within each wiring layout record within a series of wiring layout records within a wiring layout database directed towards a series of microelectronic fabrications an unoccupied equivalent wiring location within which may be formed at least one optional wiring pattern. Thus, when there is designed within an unoccupied equivalent wiring location for a single wiring layout record within the series of wiring layout records (as directed towards a single microelectronic fabrication within the series of microelectronic fabrications) at least one optional wiring pattern and an interconnect option to the at least one optional wiring pattern, the same at least one optional wiring pattern and interconnect option to the at least one optional wiring pattern may be incorporated into the remaining unoccupied equivalent wiring locations within the remaining wiring layout records within the wiring layout database (to efficiently extend the wiring modification from the single microelectronic fabrication to the series of microelectronic fabrications).

The method of the present invention is readily commercially implemented.

The present invention employs microelectronic layer design tools, microelectronic layer layout tools and database manipulation tools as are otherwise generally conventional in the microelectronic fabrication art for designing microelectronic fabrications as are otherwise generally conventional in the microelectronic fabrication art, but employed within the context of a series of specific design and operational limitations which provide at least in part the present invention. Since it is at least in part a series of design and operational limitations which provides at least in part the present invention, rather than the existence of methods and materials which provides the present invention, the method of the present invention is readily commercially implemented.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

There is provided by the present invention a method for designing a patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout for use when fabricating a microelectronic fabrication and a system for designing the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout for use when fabricating the microelectronic fabrication, wherein the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout is efficiently designed while employing the method for designing the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout and the system for designing the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout.

The present invention realizes the foregoing object by providing within each wiring layout record within a series of wiring layout records within a wiring layout database directed towards a series of microelectronic fabrications an unoccupied equivalent wiring location within which may be formed at least one optional wiring pattern. Thus, when there is designed within an unoccupied equivalent wiring location for a single wiring layout record within the series of wiring layout records (as directed towards a single microelectronic fabrication within the series of microelectronic fabrications) at least one optional wiring pattern and an interconnect option to the at least one optional wiring pattern, the same at least one optional wiring pattern and interconnect option to the at least one optional wiring pattern may be incorporated into the remaining unoccupied equivalent wiring locations within the remaining wiring layout records within the wiring layout database (to efficiently extend the wiring modification from the single microelectronic fabrication to the series of microelectronic fabrications).

Although the present invention and the preferred embodiment of the present invention provide particular value within the context of designing and revising patterned conductor layer layouts employed when fabricating semiconductor integrated circuit microelectronic fabrications, the present invention may be employed for designing and revising patterned conductor layer layouts employed when fabricating microelectronic fabrications including but not limited to integrated circuit microelectronic fabrications, ceramic substrate microelectronic fabrications, solar cell optoelectronic microelectronic fabrications, sensor image array optoelectronic microelectronic fabrications and display image array optoelectronic microelectronic fabrications.

Referring not toFIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram illustrating the results of a series of process steps in accord with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Shown inFIG. 1, in a first instance, and in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral10, is an original layout database having contained therein a series of wiring layout records for a series of microelectronic fabrications. As is further illustrated within the original layout database within the block which corresponds with reference numeral10, and with respect to each of the wiring layout records within the series of wiring layout records, each wiring layout record within the series of wiring layout records comprises, in a first instance, a required metal pattern layout, illustrated, for example, as RQ MT A, RQ MT B or RQ MT C within the series of wiring layout records within the original layout database within the block which corresponds with reference numeral10. Similarly, and also with respect to each of the wiring layout records within the series of wiring layout records, each wiring layout record within the series of wiring layout records also comprises, in a second instance, an unoccupied equivalent wiring location within which may be formed at least one optional wiring pattern. Within the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and as illustrated within the block which corresponds with reference numeral10, a series of three unoccupied equivalent wiring locations is illustrated as OP MT AREA within each of the three wiring layout records as illustrated within the layout database within the block which corresponds with reference numeral10.

Within the preferred embodiment of the present invention with respect to the unoccupied equivalent wiring locations OP MT AREA within each of the wiring layout records, typically and preferably the unoccupied equivalent wiring location is dedicated within a single metal layer within each of the wiring layout records as illustrated within the layout database within the block which corresponds with reference numeral10, although such is not required within the context of the present invention. Similarly, typically and preferably, each of the wiring layout records illustrated within the original layout database within the block which corresponds with reference numeral10will be directed towards a multi-layer microelectronic fabrication.

Referring again toFIG. 1, and in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral12, there is shown the results of the next process step in accord with the present invention.

In accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral12, there is then designed within an unoccupied equivalent wiring location within a single microelectronic fabrication within the series of microelectronic fabrications whose wiring layout records are illustrated within the original layout database within the block which corresponds with reference numeral10at least one optional wiring pattern (which is illustrated as OP MT K within the wiring layout record within the block which corresponds with reference numeral12) in conjunction with an interconnect option (which is illustrated as SWITCH within the wiring layout record within the block which corresponds with reference numeral12).

Within the preferred embodiment of the present invention with respect to the optional wiring pattern, the optional wiring pattern may perform any of several functions, such as but not limited to incorporating additional active or passive elements into a microelectronic fabrication within which it is formed, as well as simply providing alternative or supplemental wiring pathways within a microelectronic fabrication within which it is formed.

Within the preferred embodiment of the present invention with respect to the interconnect option, the interconnect option is intended as a simple component, such as but not limited to a length of a patterned conductor layer, whose presence or absence provides for a connection or an absence thereof between a required metal pattern and an optional metal pattern.

Referring again toFIG. 1, and in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral14, there is shown the results of the next process step in accord with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral14, the original layout database is revised in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral10to provide a revised layout database having contained therein: (1) a first series of wiring layout records corresponding with the series of wiring layout records within the original layout database in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral10; (2) a second series of wiring layout records based upon the first series of wiring layout records, but wherein the unoccupied equivalent wiring location for each wiring layout record is substituted with the optional wiring pattern K and the interconnect option SWITCH from the proposed wiring layout revision in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral12.

As is understood by a person skilled in the art, the methodology as is disclosed withinFIG. 1within the context of the blocks which correspond with reference numeral10, reference numeral12and reference numeral14provides for a particularly efficient revision of a library of wiring layout records.

Referring again toFIG. 1, and in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral16, incident to storing within the revised layout database in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral14the revised wiring layout records in addition to the original wiring layout records in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral10, there is also either established or updated a mapping table database which corresponds with the wiring layout options within the revised layout database in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral14. The mapping table database in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral16incorporates therein specific ON and OFF conditions for the interconnect option SWITCH between the required metal patterns RQ MT A, RQ MT B or RQ MT C, and the optional metal pattern OP MT K.

As is understood by a person skilled in the art, such a mapping table database is useful for selection of specific wiring layout options within a wiring layout database, for either microelectronic fabrication fabrication purposes or microelectronic fabrication modeling purposes.

Referring now to FIG.2andFIG. 3, there is shown a pair of algorithmic flow diagrams illustrating in greater detail a pair of algorithms which may be employed in support of the process steps whose results are illustrated within the block diagram of FIG.1.

Within the algorithmic flow diagram ofFIG. 2, the algorithm is directed towards generation from the original layout database in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral10within the block diagram ofFIG. 1of the revised layout database as illustrated within the block which corresponds with reference numeral14within the block diagram of FIG.1. Similarly, within the algorithmic flow diagram ofFIG. 3, the algorithm is directed towards generation from the original layout database in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral10within the block diagram ofFIG. 1of the mapping table database in accord with the block which corresponds within the block diagram of FIG.1.

Referring more particularly to the algorithmic flow diagram ofFIG. 2, which is directed towards forming from the original layout database in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral10within the block diagram ofFIG. 1the revised layout database in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral14within the block diagram ofFIG. 1, and in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral40, a counter is first set to zero.

Next, and in accord with the blocks which correspond with reference numeral42and reference numeral44, there is inputted the original layout database and an ON.file, which contains N “option names,” for further manipulation. Within the block which corresponds with reference numeral44, N equals the number of wiring layout records within the original layout database which are to be revised, and “option names” is intended to be the description of the optional metal pattern, OP MT K, as illustrated within the block which corresponds with reference numeral12within the block diagram of FIG.1.

Next, and in accord with the blocks which correspond with reference numeral46, reference numeral48and reference numeral50, there is iteratively revised each of the wiring layout records within the original layout database to provide a series of revised wiring layout records which corresponds with the proposed revision as illustrated within the block which corresponds with reference numeral12within the block diagram of FIG.1. Incident to such revision, successive switch layers are appended or attached to successive temporary files. Within the blocks which correspond with reference numeral46and reference numeral50: (1) “switch layer” is intended to correspond with the interconnect option, SWITCH, within the block which corresponds with reference numeral12within the block diagram ofFIG. 1; and (2) “real layer” is intended to correspond with optional metal pattern, OP MT K, within the block which corresponds with reference numeral12within the block diagram of FIG.1.

Finally, within the blocks which correspond with reference numeral52and reference numeral54within the algorithmic flow diagram ofFIG. 2, the original layout database, in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral10within the block diagram ofFIG. 1, is merged with the generated database from the blocks which correspond with reference numeral42, reference numeral44, reference numeral46, reference numeral48and reference numeral50, to provide a new database which corresponds with the revised layout database in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral14within the block diagram of FIG.1.

Referring more particularly to the algorithmic flow diagram ofFIG. 3, which is directed towards forming from the original layout database in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral10within the block diagram ofFIG. 1the mapping table database in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral16as illustrated within the block diagram ofFIG. 1, and in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral60, a counter is again first set to zero.

Next, and in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral62, there is inputted for further manipulation a switch mapping file which contains a total of N+M records, where each of N and M equals the number of wiring layout records within the original layout database in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral10within the block diagram of FIG.1.

Next, and in accord with the blocks which correspond with reference numeral64, reference numeral66, reference numeral68and reference numeral70, each of the N+M records is revised to provide: (1) a series of N records derived from series of N or M records within the original layout database, but where the interconnect option, SWITCH, for the optional metal pattern, OP MT K, in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral12within the block diagram ofFIG. 1is set on; and (2) a series of M records derived from the series of N or M records within the original layout database, but where the interconnect option, SWITCH, for the optional metal pattern, OP MT K, in accord with the block which corresponds reference numeral12within the block diagram ofFIG. 1is set off.

In accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral72, and in conjunction with the records within the original layout database, the additional N+M records provide the mapping table database in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral16within the block diagram of FIG.1.

Referring now toFIG. 4, there is shown a circuit diagram of a microelectronic circuit whose layout may be designed and revised in accord with the present invention.

As is illustrated within the circuit diagram ofFIG. 4, there is shown a first transistor20and a second transistor22, where the first transistor20is connected to a wiring pattern designated as net2which in turn may be connected to a wiring pattern designated as net1through a switch designated as I0. Similarly, and as is also illustrated within the schematic circuit diagram ofFIG. 4, the second transistor22is connected to a wiring pattern designated as net3which in turn may be connected to the wiring pattern designated as net1through a switch designated as I1.

Within the schematic circuit diagram ofFIG. 4, net1is intended to represent a required metal pattern, such as RQ MT A, RQ MT B or RQ MT C within the within the block diagram of FIG.1. Similarly, within the schematic circuit diagram ofFIG. 4, net2and net3are intended as optional wiring patterns, such as OP MT K within the block diagram of FIG.1. Similarly, within the electrical circuit whose circuit diagram is illustrated inFIG. 4, both the switch I0and the switch I1are intended as corresponding with the optional interconnect SWITCH as illustrated within the block diagram ofFIG. 1, and thus both the switch I0and the switch Ii provide an option to wire either one or both of the first transistor20and the second transistor22into the electrical circuit whose block diagram is illustrated in FIG.4.

Referring now toFIG. 5, there is shown a block diagram illustrating operation of the method of the present invention within the context of the microelectronic circuit whose circuit diagram is illustrated in FIG.4.

As is illustrated within the block diagram ofFIG. 5, and in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral30, there is first obtained a netlist listing of wiring net components which comprise the electrical circuit whose circuit diagram is illustrated in FIG.4. Similarly, and as is also illustrated within the block diagram ofFIG. 5, and in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral32, there is obtained from a mapping table for the electrical circuit whose circuit diagram is illustrated inFIG. 4a pair of on/off conditions for the pair of switches I0and I1as illustrated within the circuit diagram ofFIG. 4needed to effect a desired final electrical circuit derived from the electrical circuit whose circuit diagram is illustrated in FIG.4. For purposes of example, and without limitation, there is selected an ON value for switch I0and an OFF value for switch I1.

Referring again toFIG. 5, and in accord with the blocks which correspond with reference numeral34and reference numeral36, a computer program operates upon the netlist as provided within the block which corresponds with reference numeral30, further in accord with the switch selection data which is provided by the mapping table in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral32, to provide a newly generated netlist having the circuit switch options contained therein such as to contain information sufficiently complete to provide for either or both of circuit simulation or circuit fabrication for the electrical circuit whose circuit diagram is illustrated in FIG.4.

Referring now toFIG. 6, there is shown an algorithmic flow diagram illustrating in greater detail an algorithm which may be employed in support of operation of the method of the present invention as illustrated in the block diagram of FIG.5.

As is illustrated within the algorithmic flow diagram ofFIG. 6, and in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral80, each of two counters is initialized to zero.

Next, and in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral82, there is generated a spice netlist from a circuit diagram of an electrical circuit, similarly in accord with the spice netlist in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral30within the block diagram ofFIG. 5, as derived from the electrical circuit whose circuit diagram is illustrated in FIG.4.

Next, and in accord with the blocks which correspond with reference numeral84, reference numeral88and reference numeral90, a first portion the generated spice netlist is revised as appropriate to delete portions where an interconnect option is set in an off position and thus provide a first temporary spice netlist. Further, and in accord with the blocks which correspond with reference numeral86, reference numeral92and reference numeral94, a second portion of the generated spice netlist is revised as appropriate to incorporate portions where an interconnect option is set in an on position and thus provide a second temporary spice netlist.

Finally, and in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral96the first temporary spice netlist and the second temporary spice netlist are combined to provide from the originally generated spice netlist in accord with the block which corresponds with reference numeral82a newly generated spice netlist which conforms to an electrical circuit as it is desired to be modeled or fabricated.

As is understood by a person skilled in the art, and in particular in accord with the components and operations which correspond withFIG. 1to FIG.3andFIG. 5toFIG. 6, the present invention is typically, preferably and readily adapted to computer assisted systems for designing and revising patterned conductor layers when fabricating microelectronic fabrications.

Upon practice of the present invention in accord with the foregoing description, there is provided by the present invention a method for designing a patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout for use when fabricating a microelectronic fabrication and a system for designing the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout for use when fabricating the microelectronic fabrication, wherein the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout is efficiently designed while employing the method for designing the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout and the system for designing the patterned microelectronic conductor layer layout.

The present invention realizes the foregoing object by providing within each wiring layout record within a series of wiring layout records within a wiring layout database directed towards a series of microelectronic fabrications an unoccupied equivalent wiring location within which may be formed at least one optional wiring pattern. Thus, when there is designed within an unoccupied equivalent wiring location for a single wiring layout record within the series of wiring layout records (as directed towards a single microelectronic fabrication within the series of microelectronic fabrications) at least one optional wiring pattern and an interconnect option to the at least one optional wiring pattern, the same at least one optional wiring pattern and interconnect option to the at least one optional wiring pattern may be incorporated into the remaining unoccupied equivalent wiring locations within the remaining wiring layout records within the wiring layout database (to efficiently extend the wiring modification from the single microelectronic fabrication to the series of microelectronic fabrications).

As is understood by a person skilled in the art, the preferred embodiment and example of the present invention are illustrative of the present invention rather than limiting of the present invention. Revisions and modifications may be made to components and structures employed within the preferred embodiment and example of the present invention, while still providing a method for revising a patterned conductor layer within a microelectronic fabrication and a system for revising the patterned conductor layer within the microelectronic fabrication, further in accord with the accompanying claims.