Patent ID: 7760578

Claim:
An integrated circuit structure for distributing power to one or more standard cells in an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit structure comprising: a first plurality of standard cells arranged in a first standard cell row, each of the first plurality of standard cells including first and second power rails adapted for connection to a voltage supply and a voltage return, respectively, of the standard cells, each standard cell in a subset of the first plurality of standard cells being arranged in direct abutment with at least two other standard cells of the first plurality of standard cells, the first plurality of standard cells including at least first and second end cells arranged in direct abutment with at least one other standard cell of the first plurality of standard cells; and a power mesh power connection structure including a plurality of conductive elements formed in a plurality of different conductive layers in the integrated circuit, the power mesh power connection structure being operative to connect the first and second power rails of the first plurality of standard cells to the voltage supply and voltage return, respectively, and being configured so as to reduce a first voltage differential between respective first power rails of the first plurality of standard cells and to reduce a second voltage differential between respective second power rails of the first plurality of standard cells.