Patent Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide a semiconductor structure and method to dissipate heat generated by semiconductor devices by utilizing backside thermoelectric devices. In certain embodiments, the semiconductor structure comprises an electronic device formed on a first side of the semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure also comprises a thermoelectric cooling device formed on a second side of the semiconductor structure in close proximity to a region of the semiconductor structure where heat dissipation is desired, wherein the thermoelectric cooling device includes a Peltier junction. In other embodiments, the method comprises forming an electronic device on a first side of a semiconductor structure. The method also comprises forming a thermoelectric cooling device on a second side of the semiconductor structure in close proximity to a region of the semiconductor structure where heat dissipation is desired, wherein the thermoelectric cooling device includes a Peltier junction.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to a design structure, and more specifically to a design structure for dissipating thermal energy generated by semiconductor devices utilizing backside thermoelectric devices. 
         [0002]    The cooling of integrated circuits becomes increasingly difficult with scaling, as there are more devices per unit area per die. There are a variety of cooling solutions, for example, servers may be cooled by using large metal heat sinks, fins, and water cooling. However, for portable devices, a small form-factor cooling device is desirable. One solution involves thermoelectric cooling (hereinafter “TEC”), which uses the Peltier effect to create a heat flux between the junction of two different types of thermoelectric materials. TEC devices are solid-state active heat pumps which transfer heat from one side of the device to the other. 
         [0003]    Thermoelectric devices formed from semiconductor thermoelectric materials do not need any liquid or gas as coolant and have the advantages of continuous work capabilities, no pollution, no moving parts, no noise, long life, small volume and light weight. However, traditional thermoelectric devices have a large volume and require a separate power supply circuit. As such, they can only be attached to an outside of 3D stacked integrated circuits, which may have issues with effectively cooling the interior high temperature areas. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a semiconductor structure and method to dissipate heat generated by semiconductor devices by utilizing backside thermoelectric devices. In certain embodiments, the semiconductor structure comprises an electronic device formed on a first side of the semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure also comprises a thermoelectric cooling device formed on a second side of the semiconductor structure in close proximity to a region of the semiconductor structure where heat dissipation is desired, wherein the thermoelectric cooling device includes a Peltier junction. In other embodiments, the method comprises forming an electronic device on a first side of a semiconductor structure. The method also comprises forming a thermoelectric cooling device on a second side of the semiconductor structure in close proximity to a region of the semiconductor structure where heat dissipation is desired, wherein the thermoelectric cooling device includes a Peltier junction. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  depicts fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 15  is a flow chart of a design process used in semiconductor design, manufacture, and/or test. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate the steps for fabricating an integrated circuit having embedded thermoelectric cooling (hereinafter “TEC”) devices.  FIG. 1  depicts fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Wafer  105  is a semiconductor wafer that includes layers  110 ,  120 , and  130 . In an embodiment, wafer  105  is a silicon on insulator (hereinafter “SOI”) wafer. Layers  110  and/or  130  include semiconductor material, such as silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide. In another embodiment, layer  120  is a buried dielectric layer, such as silicon oxide. In certain embodiments, layer  130  is a device layer. In other embodiments, layer  110  is a handle wafer. Although a SOI wafer is used, bulk semiconductor substrates may be used in place of SOI substrates. In certain embodiments, dielectric material, insulating material, and/or conductive material is deposited using an appropriate deposition process, for example, physical vapor deposition, chemical deposition, electrochemical deposition, molecular beam epitaxy, and atomic layer deposition. Likewise, conductive material can be deposited using an appropriate deposition process, such as sputtering. 
         [0021]    Trenches  140 , which are shallow trench isolations, are etched in to layer  130 , for example, by wet and/or dry etching. In certain embodiments, dielectric material is deposited in trenches  140 . The excess dielectric is removed by mechanical and chemical planarization. 
         [0022]    In an embodiment, layer  150  includes dielectric material deposited using an appropriate deposition process, such as CVD. A gate oxide is grown by thermo oxidation, poly silicon is deposited by CVD, and a resist mask is formed on top of the polysilicon. Transistors  155  and  157  are patterned by an appropriate process, such as reactive ion etching. Spacers are formed on the gates by CVD and reactive ion etching. Transistors  155  and  157  are formed using appropriate processes, such as ion implantation, annealing, and silicide implantation. Layer  150  is deposited on layer  130  and trenches  140 , for example, by CVD. In an embodiment, layer  150  is silicon oxide. Layer  150  is then planarized to remove excess material. A mask is applied and reactive ion etching is applied to etch contacts  152  and  156 . Metal is deposited in contacts  152  and  156  with the excess removed by CMP. TSV  154  and  158  are formed using appropriate processes, such as lithography and etching. A predefined lithography pattern is applied to non TSV areas of layer  150  and TSV  154  and  158  are etched. Dielectric material is deposited to form barriers  115   a  and  115   b . Metal is subsequently deposited to form TSVs  154  and  158  with the excess removed, for example by CMP. 
         [0023]    Layer  160 , which includes dielectric material, is formed on layer  150 , for example, by CVD. A resist is formed on non-trench areas of layer  160  and trenches are formed therein, for example, by etching. The resist is subsequently removed. Metal is deposited in the trenches forming metal contacts  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  168 . The excess metal from metal contacts  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  168  is removed, for example, by CMP.  FIG. 2  illustrates additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Layer  110  is thinned to expose TSVs  154  and  158 . In an embodiment, an additional silicon etch is performed to ensure that the TSVs  154  and  158  protrude from layer  110 . Layer  200 , which includes dielectric material, is deposited on layer  110 , for example, by CVD. In an embodiment, layer  200  includes polyimide, silicon oxide, and SiN. Layer  200  is planarized by CMP to expose the TSVs  154  and  158 . In an embodiment, bond pads  205  and  210 , which include conductive material, such as barium and copper, are formed on layer  200  by first depositing a titanium barrier layer and/or copper seed layer on to layer  200 , for example, by sputter deposition. Resist is formed on non-TEC areas of layer  200  and solder is plated to form metal contacts  220  and  225 . The resist is then removed, for example, by an oxygen plasma or solvent, and the barrier and/or seed layer is etched by wet etching. In an embodiment, metal contacts  220  and  225  also include additives, such as copper and/or silver. Subsequently, the resist is removed. 
         [0024]    Thermoelectric cooling (hereinafter “TEC”) devices are non-mechanical cooling devices that attract heat when an electric current is applied to it. TEC devices use the Peltier effect to create a heat flux between the junction of n-type and p-type semiconductor materials. TEC devices can be constructed by placing the dielectric material in parallel thermally and in series electrically. TEC elements  230  and  235  are attached to bond pads  205  and  210  by metal contacts  220  and  225 , respectively. In an embodiment, TEC elements  230  and  235  are grown on a separate substrate, such as gallium arsenide, and are then attached to bond pads  205  and  210 , for example, by solder reflow. In other embodiments, bond pads  205  and  210  may be formed on TEC elements  230  and  235  to improve adhesion to metal contacts  220  and  225   
         [0025]    TEC elements  230  and  235  include n-type and/or p-type TEC material, such as bismuth telluride, lead telluride, cobalt triantimonide, and silicon germanium. TEC elements  230  and  235  include TEC materials that have dissimilar electron concentrations. For example, if TEC element  230  includes a n-type TEC material, then TEC element  235  includes a p-type TEC material and vice-versa. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Another mask is formed on the non-wire areas of layer  300  and vias  311  and  312  are patterned therein using, for example, conventional lithography and etching. The mask is removed. Wire  310 , which includes conducting material, such as TiN/Al, is formed on TEC elements  235  and  230  and wire portions of layer  300 , for example, by sputter deposition or electroplating. 
         [0027]    TEC device  340  is energized via metal contacts  164  and  168  and TSVs  154  and  158 . When energized, heat is drawn towards TEC elements  230  and  235  and dissipates in to layer  300 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a multi-layered semiconductor device that includes electronic devices formed on a side of the semiconductor device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Wherein the semiconductor device is formed on a SOI wafer and cooled via a TEC device that is affixed to the opposite side of the SOI wafer that the electronic devices are formed on. The TEC device is affixed to the semiconductor device via solder bumps and, in response to being energized via TSVs that are connected to metal contacts, attracts heat generated by the electronic devices. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 4 and 5  depict fabrication steps for additional embodiments of the present invention wherein the TEC device connects to the wafer via metal contacts instead of solder bumps.  FIG. 4  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 4  uses the fabrication steps depicted in  FIG. 1 ; however, instead of forming metal contacts  205  and  210  on layers  200 , layer  400 , which is a metal layer that includes conducting material, is formed on layer  200 . In an embodiment, layer  400  includes titanium and/or copper. In an embodiment, layer  400  is a bond pad layer. A mask is formed on the first non-TEC area of layer  400  and TEC element  410  is formed on layer  400 , for example, by electroplating. Subsequently, the mask is removed. Another mask (not shown) is formed on the second non-TEC area of layer  400  and TEC element  415 , which include TEC material, is formed on layer  400 . TEC elements  410  and  415  function similarly to TEC elements  230  and  235  (discussed above), respectively. TEC elements  410  and  415  also include the same TEC material as TEC elements  230  and  235  (discussed above). 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Non-TEC areas of layer  400  are removed using an appropriate process, such as wet etching, which results in contacts  510  and  515 . Layer  500 , which includes insulator material, is formed on layer  200 . Vias  511   a  and  511   b  are formed in layer  500  in the same fashion as vias  311  and  312 , respectively, are formed in layer  300 . Wire  520  is formed in the same fashion as wire  310  (discussed above). TEC device  540  functions in the same fashion as TEC device  340 . In addition, wire  520  function is a similar fashion to wire  310 .  FIG. 5  illustrates a multi-layered semiconductor device that includes electronic devices formed on a side of structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Wherein the semiconductor device, which is formed on a SOI wafer, is cooled via a TEC device that is affixed to the opposite side of the semiconductor device that the electronic devices are formed on. The TEC device is affixed to the semiconductor device via metal contacts and, in response to being energized via TSVs that are connected to other metal contacts, attracts heat generated by the electronic devices. 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  illustrates an additional embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically,  FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein layer  200  is not formed on layer  110 , which itself is completely removed during the wafer thinning step described in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0031]    In an embodiment, bond pads  610  and  620 , which include conductive material, are formed on layer  120  in the same fashion that bond pads  205  and  210  (discussed above) are formed on layer  200 . In another embodiment, bond pads  610  and  620  are formed on layer  120  in the same fashion that metal contacts  510  and  515  are formed on layer  110 . In yet another embodiment, metal contacts  610 ,  620 ,  205 , and  210  include the same conductive material. In other embodiments, metal contacts  630  and  640  are formed on bond pads  610  and  620 , respectively, in the same fashion that metal contacts  220  and  225  are formed on bond pads  205  and  210 , respectively. In still other embodiments, metal contacts  630 ,  640 ,  320 , and  325  include the same conductive material. 
         [0032]    TEC elements  650  and  660  are formed on metal contacts  630  and  640 , respectively, in the same fashion that TEC elements  230  and  235  are formed on metal contacts  220  and  225 , respectively. In an embodiment, TEC elements  650  and  660  include the same TEC material as TEC devices  230  and  235 , respectively. Layer  600 , which includes insulator material, is formed on layer  120  in the same fashion that layer  300  is formed on layer  200 . In an embodiment, layers  600  and  300  include the same material. Wire  670 , which includes conducting material, is formed on layer  600  in the same fashion that wire  310  is formed on layer  300 . 
         [0033]    In an embodiment, wires  670  and  310  include the same conducting material. TEC device  601  functions in the same fashion as TEC device  340 . The IC structure depicted in  FIG. 6  illustrates a multi-layered semiconductor device that includes electronic devices formed on a side of the semiconductor device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Wherein the semiconductor device is cooled via a TEC device that is affixed to the opposite side of the semiconductor device that the electronic devices are formed on. The TEC device, which is embedded in insulator material, is affixed to the semiconductor device via metal contacts and, in response to being energized via TSVs that are connected to other metal contacts, attracts heat generated by the electronic devices. 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically,  FIG. 7  describes additional fabrication steps that utilize the structure described in  FIG. 1 . A mask is formed on the non-TEC device areas of layer  110 . Excess layer  110  is removed, for example, by lithography and etching. Bond pads  205  and  210 , which include conducting material, are formed on layer  120  in the same fashion that bond pads  205  and  210  are formed on layer  120  (discussed above). 
         [0035]    In an embodiment, metal contacts  710 ,  720 ,  205 , and  210  include the same conducting material. Metal contacts  730  and  740 , which include conducting material, are formed on bond pads  710  and  720 , respectively, in the same fashion that metal contacts  220  and  225  are formed on bond pads  205  and  210 , respectively. 
         [0036]    In an embodiment, metal contacts  730 , and  740  include the same conducting material as metal contacts  220  and  225 , respectively. TEC elements  750  and  760 , which include TEC material, are formed on metal contacts  730  and  740  in the same fashion that TEC elements  230  and  235  are formed on metal contacts  220  and  225 , respectively. In an embodiment, TEC elements  750  and  760  include the same thermoelectric material as TEC elements  230  and  235 , respectively. 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Layer  810 , which includes insulator material, is formed on layer  120  in the same fashion that layer  500  is formed on layer  200 . Layers  810  and  500  include the same insulator material. Wire  870  is formed in layer  810  in the same fashion that wire  310  is formed in layer  300 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a multi-layered semiconductor device that includes electronic devices formed on a side of semiconductor device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Wherein the semiconductor device is cooled via a TEC device that is affixed to the opposite side of the semiconductor device that the electronic devices are formed on. The TEC device, which is embedded in insulator material, is affixed to the semiconductor device via solder bumps and, in response to being energized via TSVs that are connected to other metal contacts, attracts heat generated by the electronic devices. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 9 through 14  depict an embodiment of the present invention that is incorporated into a multi-chip stack.  FIG. 9  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically,  FIG. 9  describes additional fabrication steps that utilize the structure described in  FIG. 1 . Here, prior to the formation of layer  160  on layer  150 , TSV  970  and barrier  915  are formed in layers  150 ,  140 ,  120 , and  110  in addition to and in the same manner that TSVs  154  and  158  as well as barriers  115   a  and  115   b  are formed therein. 
         [0039]    Layer  980 , which includes insulator material, is formed on layer  160 . In an embodiment, layer  980  is an insulation and/or passivation layer that includes insulation and/or passivation material, such as polymide. In certain embodiments, a mask is applied on the non-bond pad areas of layer  980 . Bond pad  932 , which includes a conducting material, is formed on layer  980 . In an embodiment, bond pad  932  includes copper. Subsequently, the mask is removed. Contact  940 , which includes a conducting metal, is formed on bond pad  930 . In certain embodiments, contact  940  is a solder contact formed by solder reflow. 
         [0040]    The wafer undergoes backside processing wherein layer  900  is formed on layer  110  in the same manner that layer  200  is formed on layer  110  (discussed above). Layer  902 , which includes conducting material, is formed on layer  900 . TEC elements  930  and  935 , which include TEC material, are formed on layer  902  in the same fashion that TEC elements  230  and  235  are formed on metal contacts  220  and  225 , respectively. TEC elements  930  and  935  function in the same fashion as TEC elements  230  and  235 , respectively. 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Metal contacts  903 ,  905 , and  910  are formed from layer  902  in the same fashion that metal contacts  510  and  515  are formed from layer  400  (discussed above).  FIG. 11  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Layer  1100 , which includes dielectric material, is formed on layer  900 . Bond pad  1130 , which includes conducting material, is formed in layer  900  over metal contact  903  in the same fashion that bond pad  932  is formed in layer  980  over contact  162 . In certain embodiment, bond pads  932  and  1130  include the same conducting material. 
         [0042]    Wire  1110 , which includes conducting material, is formed on TEC elements  930  and  935  in the same fashion that wire  310  is formed on TEC elements  230  and  235 . Layer  1120 , which includes dielectric material, is formed on wire  1110  and layer  1100 .  FIG. 12  depicts additional fabrication steps, in according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically,  FIG. 12  illustrates fabrication steps for the second chip of a two chip stack embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, wafer  1205  is a SOI wafer that includes layers  1200 ,  1220 , and  1230 . Wafer  1205  is formed in the same fashion that wafer  105  is formed (discussed above). Layers  1200 ,  1220 , and  1230  included the same dielectric material as layers  110 ,  120 , and  130 . Trenches  1240  are formed in layer  1230  in the same fashion and include the same dielectric material as trenches  140 . Layer  1250  is formed on layer  1230  in the same fashion that layer  150  is formed on layer  130 . Layers  1250  and  150  include the same dielectric material. TSVs  1270  and  1275  are formed in layer  1250  in the same fashion that TSV  152  and  156  are formed in layer  150 . Devices  1255  and  1275  are formed in layer  1250  in the same fashion that devices  155  and  157  are formed in layer  150 . In an embodiment, devices  1255 ,  1257 ,  155 , and/or  157  are the same type of device, such as a FET. Layer  1260 , which includes low-K dielectric material, is formed on layer  1250  in the same fashion that layer  160  is formed on layer  150 . In certain embodiment, layers  1260  and  160  include the same low-K dielectric material. 
         [0043]    Metal contacts  1262 ,  1264 ,  1266 , and  1268 , which include conducting material, are formed on layer  1260  in the same fashion that metal contacts  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  168  are formed on layer  160 . In an embodiment, metal contacts  1262 ,  1264 ,  1266 ,  1268 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and/or  168  include the same conducting material. 
         [0044]      FIG. 13  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The wafer undergoes additional front side processing wherein layer  1300 , which includes insulator material, is formed on metal contacts  1262 ,  1264 ,  1266 ,  1268  and layer  1260  in the same fashion that layer  980  is formed on metal contacts  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168  and layer  160  (discussed above). Bond pad  1330 , which includes conducting material, is formed on layer  1300  in the same fashion that bond pad  930  is formed in layer  980 . Layer  1310 , which includes thermal interface material (hereinafter “TIM”), is formed on layer  1200 , for example, by screen printing or deposition by syringe. TIM may consist of silicon of epoxy binders impregnated with thermally conductive particles, such as silver ceramics and/or diamonds. Heat sink  1300 , which is a metal heat sink, is affixed to layer  1200  by layer  1310 . In an embodiment, heat sink  1300  includes one or more of the following metals: silicon, copper, aluminum, silver, gold, aluminum nitride, and diamond. 
         [0045]      FIG. 14  depicts additional fabrication steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically,  FIG. 14  depicts a chip stack that includes the semiconductor structures from  FIGS. 11 and 13  affixed to each other. Heat sink  1410  is a heat sink that draws thermal energy from wire  1110 . Heat sink  1410  includes heat sink material, such as copper, diamond, and/or composite materials, such as copper-titanium pseudo alloy, aluminum silicon carbide, Dymalloy, and E-material. In an embodiment, heat sink  1410  extends to the edge of the die. 
         [0046]      FIG. 14  illustrates a multi-stacked multi-layered semiconductor device that includes electronic devices formed on a side of the first stack, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Bond pads  1130  and  1330  are connected by metal contact  1340  (discussed above). In an embodiment, voids between the semiconductor devices are filled, for example, by epoxy injection. The semiconductor device depicted herein, which is formed on a SOI wafer, is cooled via a TEC device that is affixed to the opposite side of the semiconductor device that the electronic devices are formed on. The TEC device is affixed to the semiconductor device via metal contacts and, in response to being energized via TSVs that are connected to other metal contacts, attracts heat generated by the electronic devices. The second stack is attached to the first stack by a solder bump and includes a heat sink adhered to the side of the stack that is opposite if the solder bump. 
         [0047]      FIG. 15  shows a block diagram of an exemplary design flow  1500  used for example, in semiconductor IC logic design, simulation, test, layout, and manufacture. Design flow  1500  includes processes, machines and/or mechanisms for processing design structures or devices to generate logically or otherwise functionally equivalent representations of the design structures and/or devices described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-14 . The design structures processed and/or generated by design flow  1500  may be encoded on machine-readable transmission or storage media to include data and/or instructions that when executed or otherwise processed on a data processing system generate a logically, structurally, mechanically, or otherwise functionally equivalent representation of hardware components, circuits, devices, or systems. Machines include, but are not limited to, any machine used in an IC design process, such as designing, manufacturing, or simulating a circuit, component, device, or system. For example, machines may include: lithography machines, machines and/or equipment for generating masks (e.g. e-beam writers), computers or equipment for simulating design structures, any apparatus used in the manufacturing or test process, or any machines for programming functionally equivalent representations of the design structures into any medium (e.g. a machine for programming a programmable gate array). Design flow  1500  may vary depending on the type of representation being designed. For example, a design flow  1500  for building an application specific IC (ASIC) may differ from a design flow  1500  for designing a standard component or from a design flow  1500  for instantiating the design into a programmable array, for example a programmable gate array (PGA) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA) offered by Altera® Inc. or Xilinx® Inc. 
         [0048]      FIG. 15  illustrates multiple such design structures including an input design structure  1520  that is preferably processed by a design process  1510 . Design structure  1520  may be a logical simulation design structure generated and processed by design process  1510  to produce a logically equivalent functional representation of a hardware device. Design structure  1520  may also or alternatively comprise data and/or program instructions that when processed by design process  1510 , generate a functional representation of the physical structure of a hardware device. Whether representing functional and/or structural design features, design structure  1520  may be generated using electronic computer-aided design (ECAD) such as implemented by a core developer/designer. When encoded on a machine-readable data transmission, gate array, or storage medium, design structure  1520  may be accessed and processed by one or more hardware and/or software modules within design process  1510  to simulate or otherwise functionally represent an electronic component, circuit, electronic or logic module, apparatus, device, or system such as those shown in  FIGS. 1-14 . As such, design structure  1520  may comprise files or other data structures including human and/or machine-readable source code, compiled structures, and computer-executable code structures that when processed by a design or simulation data processing system, functionally simulate or otherwise represent circuits or other levels of hardware logic design. Such data structures may include hardware-description language (HDL) design entities or other data structures conforming to and/or compatible with lower-level HDL design languages such as Verilog and VHDL, and/or higher level design languages such as C or C++. 
         [0049]    Design process  1510  preferably employs and incorporates hardware and/or software modules for synthesizing, translating, or otherwise processing a design/simulation functional equivalent of the components, circuits, devices, or logic structures shown in  FIGS. 1-15  to generate a Netlist  1580  which may contain design structures such as design structure  1520 . Netlist  1580  may comprise, for example, compiled or otherwise processed data structures representing a list of wires, discrete components, logic gates, control circuits, I/O devices, models, etc. that describes the connections to other elements and circuits in an integrated circuit design. Netlist  1580  may be synthesized using an iterative process in which netlist  1580  is resynthesized one or more times depending on design specifications and parameters for the device. As with other design structure types described herein, netlist  1580  may be recorded on a machine-readable data storage medium or programmed into a programmable gate array. The medium may be a non-volatile storage medium such as a magnetic or optical disk drive, a programmable gate array, a compact flash, or other flash memory. Additionally, or in the alternative, the medium may be a system or cache memory, buffer space, or electrically or optically conductive devices and materials on which data packets may be transmitted and intermediately stored via the Internet, or other networking suitable means. 
         [0050]    Design process  1510  may include hardware and software modules for processing a variety of input data structure types including Netlist  1580 . Such data structure types may reside, for example, within library elements  1530  and include a set of commonly used elements, circuits, and devices, including models, layouts, and symbolic representations, for a given manufacturing technology (e.g., different technology nodes, 32 nm, 45 nm, 90 nm, etc.). The data structure types may further include design specifications  1540 , characterization data  1550 , verification data  1560 , design rules  1570 , and test data files  1585  which may include input test patterns, output test results, and other testing information. Design process  1510  may further include, for example, standard mechanical design processes such as stress analysis, thermal analysis, mechanical event simulation, process simulation for operations such as casting, molding, and die press forming, etc. One of ordinary skill in the art of mechanical design can appreciate the extent of possible mechanical design tools and applications used in design process  1510  without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention. Design process  1510  may also include modules for performing standard circuit design processes such as timing analysis, verification, design rule checking, place and route operations, etc. 
         [0051]    Design process  1510  employs and incorporates logic and physical design tools such as HDL compilers and simulation model build tools to process design structure  1520  together with some or all of the depicted supporting data structures along with any additional mechanical design or data (if applicable), to generate a second design structure  1590 . Design structure  1590  resides on a storage medium or programmable gate array in a data format used for the exchange of data of mechanical devices and structures (e.g. information stored in a IGES, DXF, Parasolid XT, JT, DRG, or any other suitable format for storing or rendering such mechanical design structures). Similar to design structure  1520 , design structure  1590  preferably comprises one or more files, data structures, or other computer-encoded data or instructions that reside on transmission or data storage media and that when processed by an ECAD system generate a logically or otherwise functionally equivalent form of one or more of the embodiments of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1-14 . In one embodiment, design structure  1590  may comprise a compiled, executable HDL simulation model that functionally simulates the devices shown in  FIGS. 1-14 . 
         [0052]    Design structure  1590  may also employ a data format used for the exchange of layout data of integrated circuits and/or symbolic data format (e.g. information stored in a GDSII (GDS2), GL1, OASIS, map files, or any other suitable format for storing such design data structures). Design structure  1590  may comprise information such as, for example, symbolic data, map files, test data files, design content files, manufacturing data, layout parameters, wires, levels of metal, vias, shapes, data for routing through the manufacturing line, and any other data required by a manufacturer or other designer/developer to produce a device or structure as described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-14 . Design structure  1590  may then proceed to a stage  1595  where, for example, design structure  1590 : proceeds to tape-out, is released to manufacturing, is released to a mask house, is sent to another design house, is sent back to the customer, etc. 
         [0053]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0054]    The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7