METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ADAPTING A CIRCUIT LAYOUT TO A PREDEFINED GRID

摘要

The invention relates to a method for adapting objects (01, 02, 03, 04) of an circuit layout (100) to a predefined grid, a system (300) and a computer program product arranged to perform the method. The objects (01, 02, 03, 04) are a representation of an integrated circuit, each object (01, 02, 03, 04) being defined by elements (be_n,m, pe_n,m, ce_n,m) including a reference element. The method selects a reference element (se_n) which is unaligned to the predefined grid, and selects a gridline (sx_i, sy_i,) from the predefined grid. Next the method generates a grid-constraint which is subsequently added to a set of constraints (304) associated with the circuit layout. The set of constraints (304) comprises design-rule-constraints for applying a design rule (302) to groups of objects (01, 02; 02, 03; 03, 04) of the circuit layout (100). Finally the method adapts the objects (01, 02, 03, 04) of the circuit layout (100) to substantially comply with the set of constraints (304). The effect of the method according to the invention is that reference elements unaligned to the predefined grid are gridded while compliance of the circuit layout (100) with the design rules (302) is maintained.