CAMELEON: a process-tolerant symbolic layout system

Abstract

CAMELEON is a symbolic layout system, suited for industrial designs, that delivers layouts that can be compared with (orthogonal) manual layouts. This is obtained by: (1) a technology description language (TDL) describing layout primitives and design rules, which allows the customization of the system to any technology; (2) the ability to handle complex primitives, like S- or L-shaped transistors, allowing dense packing of diffusion blocks; and (3) considering compaction as a basic operation in the creation of stick diagrams. The designer can control compaction and is provided with adequate feedback. The conditions to obtain automatic technology conversions are discussed. The compaction method is explained extensively, in particular the partitioning and the covering method, used to increase time performance. A fast circuit-extraction module makes the link to simulation and verification tools. Some basic electrical rules are also checked.