Method and apparatus to distribute spare cells within a standard cell region of an integrated circuit

摘要

A method and apparatus to distribute spare cells into a standard cell region of an integrated circuit is described. An initial layout of standard cells is first generated by a place and route tool. Afterwards, the initial layout is processed by a spare cell distribution mechanism that simultaneously processes a directive file. The spare cell distribution mechanism distributes, according to a predefined criteria, a preselected cluster of spare cells within the initial layout of standard cells. This processing results in an optimal distribution of spare standard cells within the standard cell region of the semiconductor. The spare cell distribution mechanism also inserts vertical wire terminators into the standard cell region to promote vertical routing, and thus shorter routing paths. In addition, the spare cell distribution mechanism inserts ground connectors and power connectors in the standard cell region to generate a ground and power paths. The outputs of the inserted spare cells may be connected to the ground and power paths until they are subsequently re-routed to correct logic defects in the standard cell region.