IC Mask Design: Essential Layout Techniques (Professional Engineering)

Now you don't need an engineering background to master basic integrated circuit mask design! In this straightforward, jargon-free tutorial, co-author Chris Saint, one of IBM's top instructors, thoroughly covers everything from initial layout to final verification. Using clear, everyday language even a beginner can understand, this essential primer, rich in practical techniques, covers:\* Integrated circuit processes\* High frequency/radio frequency layout techniques\* Fundamental device concepts\* Verification tool use and samples\* Matching and noise considerations\* Digital and analog layout\* Parasitics\* Floorplanning\* Packaging\* Key rules of thumb throughout\* Two extensive case studies that comprehensively analyze complete CMOS and bipolar layout examplesUtilizing a logical layered approach to teaching, Chris and Judy Saint present complicated concepts from the ground up, building on the simple until the complex becomes crystal clear. In order to reinforce key techniques, each chapter includes examples, self-tests, sidebars, preview points, "motivation" boxes, and worked study examples-as well as the authors' refreshing humor.Co-written by an accomplished corporate teacher and utilizing proven teaching methods and materials, IC Mask Design is the fastest route for non-engineers to understand every phase and practical technique of IC mask design. The rules of thumb contained herein-honed by years of experience-will bring the mask designer a greater level ofunderstanding than simply learning processes. Contents......Page 7 Introduction......Page 15 Acknowledgments......Page 17 Open Letter to Circuit Designers......Page 19 Opening Thoughts on Digital Layout......Page 23 Verifying the Circuitry Logic......Page 24 Compiling a Netlist......Page 25 Floorplanning......Page 29 Placement......Page 33 Routing......Page 35 Prefabricated Gate Array Chips......Page 40 Design Verification......Page 41 Physical Verification......Page 42 Library Management......Page 43 Summary and Flowchart......Page 44 Closure on Digital Layout......Page 45 Here’s What We’ve Learned......Page 46 Opening Thoughts on Standard Cell Techniques......Page 47 Grid-Based Systems......Page 48 Directional Layer Technique......Page 51 Input and Output Alignment......Page 54 Fixed Height, Variable Width......Page 56 Common N Well......Page 57 Half-Grid Cell Sizing......Page 59 Half Design Rule......Page 60 Routing Channels......Page 61 Standardized Input and Output Cells......Page 67 Using Standardization in Analog Mask Design......Page 68 Closure on Standard Cell Techniques......Page 69 Here’s What We’ve Learned......Page 70 Opening Thoughts on Analog Layout......Page 71 Difference of Scale......Page 72 Difference of Teamwork......Page 73 Difference of Constraints......Page 74 Three Key Questions......Page 75 Question 1: What does this circuit do?......Page 77 Question 2: How much current does it take?......Page 78 Question 2a: Where are the high and low current paths?......Page 80 Device Orientation......Page 81 Additional Questions......Page 86 Bipolar Analog......Page 87 Expectations of an Analog Mask Designer......Page 88 Here’s What We’ve Learned......Page 92 Appendix: Key Questions Discussion......Page 93 Opening Thoughts on Parasitics......Page 101 Parasitic Capacitance......Page 102 Wire Length......Page 103 Metal Selection......Page 104 Metal over Metal......Page 106 Calculating IR Drops......Page 108 Wiring Options......Page 110 Parasitic Inductance......Page 113 CMOS Transistor Example......Page 114 Bipolar Transistor Example......Page 115 Closure on Parasitics......Page 116 Here’s What We’ve Learned......Page 117 Opening Thoughts on Matching......Page 119 Importance of Layout......Page 120 Simple Matching......Page 122 Root Device Method......Page 125 Interdigitating Devices......Page 127 Dummy Devices......Page 130 Common Centroid......Page 131 Cross-Quading......Page 132 Symmetry......Page 135 Matching Signal Paths......Page 136 Device Size Choices......Page 139 Closure on Matching......Page 141 Rules of Matching......Page 142 Opening Thoughts on Noise Issues......Page 143 Noisy Neighbors......Page 144 Turn Down the Volume......Page 146 Rock Band Moves Inside Their House......Page 147 Call the Sheriff......Page 150 Move to a New Neighborhood......Page 151 Coaxial Shielding......Page 152 Differential Signals......Page 154 Decoupled Power Rails......Page 156 Stacked Power Rails......Page 157 Harmonic Interference......Page 158 Here’s What We’ve Learned......Page 161 Opening Thoughts on Floorplanning......Page 163 Primary Drivers of Floorplanning......Page 164 Pin-Driven Planning......Page 165 Block-Driven Planning......Page 171 Signal-Driven Planning......Page 174 Reshaping Blocks......Page 175 Leaving Enough Room......Page 177 Estimating with Existing Circuitry......Page 180 Closure on Floorplanning......Page 181 Here's What We've Learned......Page 182 General Techniques......Page 183 #1 Pick Five or Six Non-minimum Design Rules......Page 184 #3 Plenty of Wide Wiring and Vias......Page 187 #4 Don't Believe Your Circuit Designer......Page 189 #5 Use a Consistent Orientation......Page 190 #7 Keep Off the Blocks......Page 191 #9 If It Looks Nice, It Will Work......Page 192 #10 Learn Your Process......Page 193 #12 Spread Your Spinach around Your Dinner Plate......Page 194 #13 Copy and Rename Cells before Making Changes......Page 197 #14 Remember Your Hierarchy Level......Page 198 #15 Build-in Easy Metal Revisions......Page 199 #16 Draw Big Power Buses......Page 204 Closure on General Techniques......Page 206 Ancient Secrets of Mask Design......Page 207 Opening Thoughts on Packaging......Page 209 Bonding Methods......Page 210 Ultrasonic Wedge Bonding......Page 211 Ultrasonic Ball Bonding......Page 212 Flip Chip Technology......Page 213 Multi-Tier Packaging......Page 214 Overall Appearance......Page 215 45-Degree Rule......Page 216 Wire Length......Page 217 Pad Distribution......Page 218 Pad-Limited Design......Page 219 Core-Limited Design......Page 221 Final Die Size Calculations......Page 222 Filling Pad Gaps......Page 228 Closure on Packaging......Page 229 Here's What We've Learned......Page 230 Opening Thoughts on Verification......Page 231 Checking Software......Page 232 Design Rule Check (DRC)......Page 233 Layout Versus Schematic (LVS)......Page 242 Closure on Verification......Page 256 Here's What We've Learned......Page 257 Opening Thoughts on Data Formats......Page 259 Coordinating Resolutions......Page 260 Pattern Generation......Page 263 Know Your Grids......Page 264 Here's What We've Learned......Page 265 The New Job Assignment......Page 269 Bill Reasons His Floorplan......Page 277 Bill Thinks Through His Layout......Page 281 Ted Returns......Page 294 Bill Rethinks......Page 302 The Chip Is Assembled......Page 326 Packaging......Page 347 Appendix......Page 348 Introduction to Case Study 2......Page 363 "What Does the Circuit Do?"......Page 364 Bipolar Transistor Review......Page 367 Initial Overview......Page 368 Current Source......Page 371 Lower Pair......Page 373 Upper Quad......Page 377 Loads......Page 380 Bipolar Transistor Layout—Wrap-Around Technique......Page 384 Current Source......Page 387 Lower Pair......Page 392 Upper Quad......Page 397 Loads......Page 402 Analysis of Second Layout......Page 406 Third Layout......Page 407 Lower Pair......Page 408 Comparison of Case Study 1 and Case Study 2......Page 415 Beginnings......Page 417 The Four Engineers......Page 431 Outtakes......Page 433 Contact Us......Page 437 Suggested Readings and Resources......Page 439 Educational Programs......Page 441 A......Page 443 B......Page 444 C......Page 445 D......Page 447 E......Page 449 F......Page 450 G......Page 451 I......Page 452 K......Page 453 M......Page 454 N......Page 455 P......Page 456 Q......Page 458 R......Page 459 S......Page 460 T......Page 463 V......Page 464 Z......Page 465 B......Page 467 C......Page 468 D......Page 469 G......Page 471 I......Page 472 M......Page 473 N......Page 474 P......Page 475 R......Page 476 T......Page 477 W......Page 478 Z......Page 479 Annotation THE PLAIN-ENGLISH GUIDE TO LEARNING INTEGRATED CIRCUIT MASK DESIGNAn essential reference for experienced professionals and beginners alike. Now you don't need an engineering background to master basic integrated circuit mask design! In this straightforward, jargon-free tutorial, co-author Chris Saint, one of IBM's top instructors, thoroughly covers everything from initial layout to final verification. Using clear, everyday language even a beginner can understand, this essential primer, rich in practical techniques, covers: * Integrated circuit processes * High frequency/radio frequency layout techniques * Fundamental device concepts* Verification tool use and samples* Matching and noise considerations* Digital and analog layout* Parasitics* Floorplanning* Packaging* Key rules of thumb throughout* Two extensive case studies that comprehensively analyze complete CMOS and bipolar layout examplesUtilizing a logical layered approach to teaching, Chris and Judy Saint present complicated concepts from the ground up, building on the simple until the complex becomes crystal clear. In order to reinforce key techniques, each chapter includes examples, self-tests, sidebars, preview points, "motivation" boxes, and worked study examples-as well as the authors' refreshing humor. Co-written by an accomplished corporate teacher and utilizing proven teaching methods and materials, "IC Mask Design is the fastest route for non-engineers to understand every phase and practical technique of IC mask design. The rules of thumb contained herein--honed by years of experience--will bring the mask designer a greater level of understanding than simply learningprocesses Now you don't need an engineering background to master basic integrated circuit mask design! In this straightforward, jargon-free tutorial, co-author Chris Saint, one of IBM's top instructors, thoroughly covers everything from initial layout to final verification. Utilizing a logical, layered approach to teaching, Chris and Judy Saint present complicated concepts from the ground up, building on the simple until the complex becomes crystal clear. In order to reinforce key techniques, each chapter includes examples, self-tests, sidebars, preview points, "motivation" boxes, and worked study examples -- as well as the authors' refreshing humor. Co-written by an accomplished corporate teacher and utilizing proven teaching methods and materials, IC Mask Design is the fastest route for non-engineers to understand every phase and practical technique of IC mask design. The rules of thumb contained herein -- honed by years of experience -- will bring the mask designer a greater level of understanding than simply learning processes. Integrated Circuit Mask Design teaches integrated circuit (IC) processes, mask design techniques, and fundamental device concepts in everyday language. It develops ideas from the ground up, building complex concepts out of simple ones, constantly reinforcing what has been taught with examples, self-tests and sidebars covering the motivation behind the material covered. Now you don't need an engineering background to master basic integrated circuit mask design! In this straightforward; jargon-free tutorial; you'll find everything you need to understand every phase and practical technique of IC mask design. -- Edited summary from book