Patent ID: 8826195

Claim:
A method comprising: providing a non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium storing a partial netlist of at least a portion of a previously taped-out integrated circuit (IC) layout, representing a set of photomasks for fabricating an IC having the IC layout such that the IC meets a first specification value; identifying by a computer a proper subset of a plurality of first devices in the IC layout, such that replacement of the proper subset of the first devices by second devices in a revised IC layout satisfies a second specification value different from the first specification value; and generating and storing in at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium at least one layout mask corresponding to the proper subset of the plurality of first devices, the layout mask accessible by a tool for forming at least one additional photomask that changes a process step performed using one of the set of photomasks, such that the set of photomasks and the at least one additional photomask are configured to fabricate an IC according to the revised IC layout.