Practical Cell-based IC Design

Abstract

After studying this chapter you should be able

• □ To recognize what is meant by ‘good’ design practice.

• □ To understand the general features of the CAD hardware and software required. An integrated set of CAD tools providing a route to silicon fabrication helps to achieve good design practice.

• □ To understand the role of cells and cell libraries in the design of semi-custom digital ICs.

• □ To know what fundamental decisions have to be taken by the design manager before a design project can start.

• □ To start doing practical design of semi-custom ICs down to the cell level. To understand the role of simulation, and the features of some commonly used CAD packages.

• □ To appreciate the simplicity of cell placement and autorouting for the completion of semi-custom ICs.