Patent ID: 7065729

Claim:
A method for automatically routing an integrated circuit, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: receiving integrated circuit layout data that defines a set of two or more integrated circuit devices to be included in the integrated circuit; receiving integrated circuit connection data that specifies one or more electrical connections to be made between the integrated circuit devices; determining, based upon the integrated circuit layout data and the integrated circuit connection data, a set of one or more routing indicators that specify a set of one or more preferable intermediate routing locations through which a routing path is to be located to connect first and second integrated circuit devices from the set of two or more integrated circuit devices; determining, based upon the integrated circuit layout data, the integrated circuit connection data and the set of one or more routing indicators, the routing path between the first and second integrated circuit devices, wherein the routing path satisfies specified design criteria, and wherein determining the routing path between the first and second integrated circuit devices includes performing one or more design rule checks on one or more portions of the routing path as the routing path is being determined; and updating the integrated circuit layout data to generate updated integrated circuit layout data that reflects the routing path between the first and second integrated circuit devices.