Cadence Rapid Adoption Kits (RAKs) are designed to help users quickly adopt new technologies into their flows and boost their productivity. Keeping this in mind, RAKs to help you understand the following features are now available on Cadence Online Support:
- Modgen On Canvas
- Row-Based Placement
Modgen On Canvas
The Modgen On Canvas commands were introduced in the IC6.1.7 ISR8 and ICADV12.3 base releases. These commands, available in the Place menu and the Placement toolbar, provide quick and easy access to various Modgen features. You can use these commands to edit Modgens directly in the layout editor, without opening the Modgen Editor.
The Modgen On Canvas RAK has been designed specifically for Virtuoso users who want to learn to effectively use Modgens for placement and routing. The RAK provides step-by-step instructions on how to:
- Create a Modgen.
- Define the placement of the Modgen.
- Define routes using topology patterns.
It also covers the procedure of using Wire Assistant to create topological objects and edit constraints on these objects, which will, in turn, let the Pin to Trunk Router establish via controls, pin coverage, and matched net routing.
For more information about these tasks, see the Modgen on Canvas RAK on Cadence Online Support.
Row-Based Placement
The requirements of advanced node layout are distinctly different from those of legacy nodes. These requirements have already spurred many innovations, notably Snap Patterns (SPs), Width Spacing Patterns (WSPs), and Multiple Patterning tools. Advanced node processes follow grid-based placement, and therefore these designs lend themselves readily to the row-based placement methodology, which was introduced in Virtuoso in the ICADV12.3 base release.
At the core of row-based placement lies the new row template infrastructure. A row template comprises specifications for a set of rows to be generated in the layout canvas; and it defines how instances, such as standard cells, macros, and devices, must be placed in these rows. Rows are compatible with SPs, and therefore ensure that the resulting placement is correct by construction. You can then use the various Virtuoso Placer commands to perform custom digital and custom analog placement in these rows.
Note: Virtuoso Placer is available in the Virtuoso Layout EAD cockpit in advanced node releases.
The Row-Based Placement RAK includes a lab that provides in-depth information about how to use the various placement tools to perform the following tasks:
- Import existing row templates.
- Use the row templates to generate rows in the layout canvas.
- Use Virtuoso Placer to perform custom digital and custom analog placement in these rows.
- Use the assisted placement commands to refine the current placement.
- Apply the edge constraints defined in the standard cell masters (applicable to custom digital placement).
- Insert boundary cells (applicable to custom digital placement).
- Use the following post-processing utilities:
- Fill utilities (applicable to custom analog placement)
- Tap cell and filler cell utilities (applicable to custom digital placement)
For more information about these tasks, see the Row-Based Placement RAK on Cadence Online Support.
Related Resources
- Virtuoso Module Generator User Guide
- Virtuoso Placer User Guide
Note: For more information on placement-related Cadence products and services, visit www.cadence.com.
About Virtuosity
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Priya Sriram