Patent ID: 7272803

Claim:
A method of defining a power grid structure for use in an integrated circuit, the power grid structure being comprised of a plurality of power stripes, a plurality of ground stripes, a plurality of power rails, a plurality of ground rails, the method comprising: determining locations of power vias at power stripe and power rail intersections, wherein the power stripes and power rail intersections are formed by the plurality of power rails that are positioned perpendicularly to the plurality of power stripes, wherein the power vias connect the plurality of power stripes to the plurality of power rails; and determining locations of ground vias at ground stripe and ground rail intersections, wherein the ground stripes and ground rail intersections are formed by the plurality of ground rails that are positioned perpendicularly to the plurality of ground stripes, wherein the power vias connect the plurality of ground stripes to the plurality of ground rails, wherein determining location for a set of power and ground vias is based on a set of criteria, wherein the set of criteria comprises a criterion for reducing blockage of diagonal wiring caused by a particular location of the set of power and ground vias.