Trace routing according to freeform sketches

摘要

Methods and apparatuses for routing traces in a layout design, such as for example a layout design for an integrated circuit, are disclosed. In various implementations, a group of netlines within a layout design and a freeform sketch are identified. Subsequently, the netlines are routed as traces according to the freeform sketch. More particularly, the geometry of the traces is determined by approximating the geometry of the freeform sketch. Various implementations of the invention provide for the netlines to be routed by an automated trace routing engine. With further implementations of the invention, ball grid array escapes and trace fanouts are additionally routed. For example, ball grid array escapes may be routed prior to netlines being routed according to the freeform sketch. In further implementations of the invention, the freeform sketch is deleted after the traces have been routed. With various implementations of the invention, the netlines are routed as traces by forming a container shape around the freeform sketch, approximating the geometry of the freeform sketch within the container shape, and routing traces within the container shape using the approximation of the freeform shape as a guide.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving, by a computing system, user input in a form of a freeform sketch that is correlated to a location in a design layout; utilizing, by the computing system, the freeform sketch as correlated to the location in the design layout to generate a grouping of one or more netlines to route in the design layout; determining, by the computing system, an approximate geometry of the freeform sketch; and forming, by the computing system, one or more traces in the design layout for the grouping of one or more netlines according to the approximated geometry.