ANNs as an Alternative for Automatic Analog IC Placement

In modern IC design, circuit designers often need to manually operate and move data among different EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tools. If these tools were installed in separate computers, due to the license and system requirements, the design flow will be frequently interrupted, to handle the dreary data movement work, and the design efficiency will thus be reduced. To alleviate the above problem, a seamless and efficient design flow would be a must. The aim of this paper is to propose a service-oriented integrated EDA environment that can improve the smoothness of the design flow and consequently increase the overall design productivity. In our approach, a multi-agent framework based on JADE platform is used to manage distributed EDA tools, which are encapsulated as agent services. Mobile agents are allowed to autonomously and concurrently migrate among computers to access services for IC designers. To facilitate that, a scripting language is designed for mobile agents to allocate tasks, cooperate with each other, and select appropriate services. To demonstrate the feasibility of our method, an Integrated Circuit Design Cycle Assistant System (ICDCAS) for simplifying the manual operations in IC design cycles is developed by combining two EDA tools: ModelSim and Xilinx ISE. The implemented system proves to have the features of time saving and being free of mistakes incurred by manually operating and configuring the sophisticated EDA tools.

Over the course of 60 years, since the invention of the integrated circuit (IC), exponential improvements in cost, performance and power consumption were observed. Such advances have been strongly linked with the continuous reduction of the dimensions in manufactured ICs, but this trend has shown decreasing benefits as fundamental limits are reached. Notice that such tiny devices have increased variability, which generates unpredictable variations in the behavior of the manufactured devices. These uncertainties are typically addressed by defining margins on the clock period, estimated during the design phase. However, the overly conservative margins produce significant degradations in performance. Additionally, the evolution that enabled circuits with increasingly higher density of components, also resulted in an extremely complex IC design. At every step, electronic design automation (EDA) tools are challenged to handle this increasing complexity, requiring more powerful techniques to comply with the specification constraints within an affordable runtime. This thesis investigates alternatives in order to improve power, performance, area, and cost, using established IC manufacturing technologies. Advances in EDA are proposed in three distinct topics: area minimization using Boolean methods, area and delay reduction for designs based on fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), and an alternative clocking scheme to reduce timing margins. The first contribution consists of a technology-independent method for area minimization of combinational logic. Local optimization is applied on and-inverter graphs (AIGs), performing multi-output Boolean decomposition using two-literal divisors, targeting node count reduction. The second contribution regards two methods targeting technology mapping of FPGAs. On one hand, a functional decomposition approach, which uses the support size as cost function, exploring the inherent characteristics of FPGAs. On the other hand, an approach for recursive remapping, which reduces the structural bias of the subject graph, uses the mapping results as cost function, and obtains significant reductions in area and delay. The third contribution evaluates the dynamic variability mitigation and simplification of power delivery networks (PDNs) using an adaptive clocking scheme based on ring oscillator clocks (ROCs). The impact of the PDN parameters and ROC location is investigated, showing potential improvements in performance, leakage power and cost. A lo largo de los 60 años desde la invención del circuito integrado (CI), se han producido mejoras exponenciales en su coste, rendimiento y consumo de energía. Ese progreso esta fuertemente vinculado a la reducción continua de las dimensiones de fabricación de los circuitos integrados, pero esta tendencia ha ido mostrando menos beneficios a medida que se alcanzan límites fundamentales. Estos dispositivos minúsculos tienen una mayor variabilidad, lo que genera variaciones impredecibles en el comportamiento de los dispositivos fabricados. Estas incertidumbres generalmente se abordan mediante la definición de márgenes en el período de reloj, estimado durante la fase de diseño. Sin embargo, márgenes excesivamente conservadores producen degradaciones significativas en el rendimiento. Además, la evolución que permitió crear circuitos con una densidad de componentes cada vez mayor, también incrementado la complejidad de los CI. En cada paso del proceso de diseño, las herramientas de automatización de diseño electrónico (EDA) se enfrentan al desafío de manejar esta complejidad creciente, lo que requiere técnicas más potentes para cumplir con las restricciones impuestas por las especificaciónes dentro de un tiempo de ejecución asequible. Esta tesis investiga alternativas para mejorar el consumo de energía, el rendimiento, el área y el coste, utilizando las tecnologías de fabricación de CI ya establecidas. Los avances en EDA se proponen en tres temas distintos: minimización de área usando métodos booleanos, reducción de retardo y área para diseños basados en matrices de puertas programables (FPGA), y un esquema de reloj alternativo para reducir los márgenes de tiempo excesivamente conservadores. La primera contribución consiste en un método independiente de tecnología para minimizar el área de la lógica combinacional. Se aplica optimización local en grafos de AND-inversor, utilizando una descomposición Booleana de múltiples salidas con divisores de dos literales, con el objetivo de reducir la cantidad de nodos. La segunda contribución propone dos métodos para el mapeo tecnológico de los FPGA. Por un lado, un método de descomposición funcional, que utiliza el tamaño del soporte como función de coste, explorando las características inherentes de los FPGA. Por otro lado, un método de mapeo recursivo, que reduce la distorsión estructural del grafo sujeto, utiliza los resultados del mapeo como función de coste y obtiene reducciones significativas en área y retardo. La tercera contribución evalúa la mitigación de la variabilidad dinámica y la simplificación de la red de suministro de energía (PDN) utilizando un esquema de reloj adaptativo basado en un oscilador en anillo (ROC). Se investiga el impacto de los parámetros de la PDN y la ubicación del ROC, mostrando mejoras potenciales en el rendimiento, consumo estático y coste.

Due to the trend of globalized semiconductor supply chain, integrated circuits (IC) and hardware intellectual property (IP) are prone to serious security threats such as reverse engineering and IP piracy. In addition to the post-fabrication authentication techniques (e.g., IP metering), various hardware hardening approaches have emerged to resist reverse engineering and IP piracy. This chapter reviews three representable security hardening approaches—camouflaging, logic encryption/locking, and design obfuscation—that are applied to ICs at layout, gate, and register transfer levels. Particularly, this chapter presents a dynamic state-deflection-based obfuscation method, which deflects the state transition from the original transition path to a black hole cluster if an invalid key is applied to the hardware IP. This obfuscation method can successfully thwart the reverse engineering attack that exploits the code analysis support from electronic design automation (EDA) tools. Furthermore, this chapter extends the idea of design obfuscation for two-dimensional IC to emerging three-dimensional (3D) IC design technology. The proposed method is based on the insertion of a Network-on-Chip (NoC)-based shielding plane between two commercial dies to build the secure 3D ICs without involvement of trustworthy foundries.

Provision of free, downloadable industry-standard reconfigurable hardware EDA tools is a growing and welcome trend. Low cost, ever-more-complex FPGA-based embedded system development platforms with host interface control are becoming more readily available. This paper describes a series of structured VHDL workshop modules which use the Xilinx ISE Webpack/ModelsimXE electronic design automation (EDA) tools and Digilent Spartan-3 hardware development system. The described course implements an extendable embedded system, which performs a selection of image and audio processing applications, controlled by a host graphical user interface (GUI). A formal structured design, documentation and test methodology is incorporated throughout the course. Enhancements to EDA tool VHDL and diagram creation wizard support are proposed to aid VHDL capture automation and design visualisation. Improved student understanding and achievement level in VHDL programming, digital embedded system design techniques and FPGA implementation has resulted

The existence of multi-dimensional tradeoffs among performance metrics is an impediment to the development of reliable Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools for the design of analog circuits. To overcome this limitation, soft computing techniques that have functionality similar to the human brain are being explored. This work proposes a methodology for the development of a fast and accurate Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model for analog circuits, to achieve optimization of its design, considering a 2-stage op-amp for illustration. In order to map complex and multiple input-output relationships of analog circuits, an ANN architecture of a single hidden layer with its neuron count selected to be between the number of neurons in the input and output layers is proposed. The ANN model is developed in the MATLAB environment, and trained using SPICE-generated performance dataset. For a given set of performance metrics, the ANN model generated designs are validated against SPICE simulations. It is demonstrated that trained ANN models substitute the circuit simulator, to achieve design optimization, in a single iteration, for a new set of design specifications.

With the increased level of complexity and market pressures to deliver better results faster and cheaper, Integrated Circuit (IC) companies are looking to innovate and introduce efficiencies into their development process. To improve IC design productivity and time-to-market, this paper introduces an innovative Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tool in order to replicate an existing layout in different technology nodes by automatically porting analog and mixed-signal circuits. Furthermore, the paper presents a case study of the application of the Methodology Assessment Framework (MAF) as an evaluation tool to choose the best suited Software Development Methodology (SDM) for the EDA tool development project.

The article deals with the complexity of the workflow used when integrated circuits are implemented using 2D electronic design automation (EDA) tools and adapting the workflow for 3D integrated circuits. If some issues are not identified promptly in the workflow, the working time to produce an integrated circuit is increased. By analyzing and refining workflow, identifying bottlenecks and early problems in a design, the optimization process will ensure an error-minimized trajectory from synthesis to final design prepared for manufacturing. Considering all the details at every stage of the working flow will help the backend designer to solve problems faster and save time. It was created detailed scripts for automatization of the process at every stage including floorplan, power plan, placement, clock tree synthesis, routing and all physical and logical analysis. The workflow was optimized using loops at all levels, extracting important information at every level and improving the process of working. Moreover, optimization techniques contribute significantly to precision and quality in design implementation. This working flow can be used to implement 3D integrated circuits with automated 2D tools from Synopsis.

Recent developments in EDA tools for power electronics modules have led to simultaneous analysis and optimization of package features with regard to electro-thermal and thermo-mechanical aspects. In this work, two of these EDA tools, PowerSynth and ParaPower, are linked together with a software application programming interface (API) to rapidly explore a combined electro-thermo-mechanical design space and present the user with co-optimized solutions and tradeoffs in a fraction of the time consumed using traditional analysis methods. An overview of this co-design process and its advantages over that of the traditional, iterative approach is presented along with an explanation of the methods used by the respective tools for analysis. Finally, additional considerations and constraints are introduced that ensure manufacturing feasibility and reliable operation at high voltages. A case study in co-design using these tools has been proposed for the final paper.

Advanced electronic design automation (EDA) tools, with their simulation, modeling, design rule checking, and optical proximity correction capabilities, have facilitated the improvement of first pass wafer yields. While the data produced by these tools may have been processed for optimal wafer manufacturing, it is possible for the same data to be far from ideal for photomask manufacturing, particularly at lithography and inspection stages, resulting in production delays and increased costs. The same EDA tools used to produce the data can be used to detect potential problems for photomask manufacturing in the data. A production implementation of automated photomask manufacturing rule checking (MRC) is presented and discussed for various photomask lithography and inspection lines. This paper will focus on identifying data which may cause production delays at the mask inspection stage. It will be shown how photomask MRC can be used to discover data related problems prior to inspection, separating jobs which are likely to have problems at inspection from those which are not. Photomask MRC can also be used to identify geometries requiring adjustment of inspection parameters for optimal inspection, and to assist with any special handling or change of routing requirements. With this foreknowledge, steps can be taken to avoid production delays that increase manufacturing costs. Finally, the data flow implemented for MRC can be used as a platform for other photomask data preparation tasks.

Digital Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools have seen a remarkable improvement over the last decade. In addition to providing good documentation, their ability to simulate a design provides immense convenience in optimizing a design and in examining what-if scenarios which would otherwise be very time-consuming, expensive, and even impossible using hardware. This paper begins with an overview of EDA tools and related issues. Next, it discusses the implementation of an EDA laboratory established with funding from the National Science Foundation. Details of four experiments and an evaluation of the EDA tools used in the undergraduate curriculum have been presented.

This work addresses the use of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools for topology selection and optimal sizing of Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) Integrated Circuits (ICs). Instead of relying on empirical data and closed form equations to select device sizes, a simulation-based approach is adopted for better accuracy. By using an optimization method based on Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs) in combination with a tool for parametrized schematic simulations, we are able to asses the attainable performance trade-offs for different topologies and oscillation frequencies. We use Cadence Spectre for simulations and demonstrate our approach on two cross-coupled LC-VCO topologies by providing with Pareto optimal Fronts.

The mature electronic design automation (EDA) tools and well-defined abstraction-levels for digital circuits have almost automated the digital design process. However, analog circuit design and optimization is still not automated. Custom design of analog circuits and slow analog in SPICE has always needed maximum efforts, skills, design cycle time. This paper presents a novel design flow for constrained optimization of nano-CMOS analog circuits. The proposed analog design flow combines polynomial-regression based models and genetic algorithm for fast optimization. For evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed design flow, power minimization in a 50nm CMOS based current-starved voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is carried out, while treating oscillation frequency as a performance constraint. Accurate polynomial-regression based models are developed for power and frequency of the VCO. The goodness-of-fit of the models is evaluated using SSE, RMSE and R <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> . Using these models, we form a constrained optimization problem which is solved using genetic algorithm. The flow achieved 21.67% power savings, with a constraint of frequency ≥ 100 MHz. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study which approaches a VCO design problem as a mathematical constrained optimization involving the usage of regression based modeling and genetic algorithm.

This paper presents a project‐based learning approach to improve students' ability to apply systematic design methodologies during their transition from general Electrical Engineering (EE) courses to Integrated Circuit (IC) design programs. With the advent of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools and Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, there is a growing need for students to develop a more systematic understanding of circuit design. A structured training program is designed to enhance the ability of mixed IC design of fourth‐year students, who are expected to use open source tools to design key circuit components which are aligned with MATLAB. With these components, the mixed signal system can be built and optimized top‐down, allowing significantly accelerated development and deeper knowledge learning. A team of students is required to design MATLAB‐aligned circuit components and a benchmark testing framework is developed to ensure the alignment of functionality between the proposed work and MATLAB Simulink. The results indicate that the proposed project‐based learning approach effectively supports fourth‐year students in transitioning to IC design, with strong recommendations for its continued implementation in future academic years. The project establishes a comprehensive and free EDA framework for teaching mixed signal IC design, offering significant advantages over traditional commercial tools. Moreover, the use of hardware‐defined code provides greater flexibility in the design environment, allowing students to utilize the EDA framework across multiple platforms without the need for expensive commercial licenses.

The incorporation of electronic design automation (EDA) tools in engineering curricula will better prepare graduates to enter the modern engineering marketplace. The engineering courses appropriate for EDA introduction are discussed, as are the tools themselves and their sources. Issues of computing platform, operating system, and tool suites are presented. Internet accessible public domain documents are provided to aid engineering schools in setting up a comprehensive EDA curriculum.

As the semiconductor industry moves into the next generation sub-nanometer design the quality of the electronic design automation (EDA) tools becomes more critical. With shrinking market windows and increasing time to market constraints the designers need reliable and robust EDA software tools to ensure that the design is manufacturable with an acceptable yield. This paper develops a balanced scorecard for implementing systemic quality in an EDA organization.