Standard cell, standard cell array, and system and method for placing and routing standard cells

• Main Author: KOZAI, ATSUKO
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 21.03.2002
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; CALCULATING; COMPUTING; COUNTING; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; ELECTRIC SOLID STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRICITY; PHYSICS; SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

In a placement and routing for a standard cell type LSI design, each standard cell comprises a VDD power supply terminal formed of a P-type diffused layer, a VSS power supply terminal formed of an N-type diffused layer, and an input terminal and an output terminal formed of a first level metal. A plurality of standard cells are located to form a standard cell array, and VDD and VSS power supply lines formed of the first level metal are located to extend along opposite sides of the standard cell array, respectively. For connecting the power supply terminal of the standard cell to the power supply line of the first level metal, a power supply line formed of the diffused layer is extended from the power supply terminal to the power supply line of the first level metal, and a contact hole is formed at an overlapping portion between the power supply line of the first level metal and power supply line formed of the diffused layer. Thus, it is possible to place and route standard cells having different widths with no hindrance, and it is also possible to form an inter-cell connection in the device formation region between the power supply line and the wiring area within the cell. In addition, it is possible to set the width of the power supply line of the first level metal to an appropriate width for each standard cell array.