Standard Cell Routing Optimization Using A Genetic Algorithm

Abstract

A typical approach to cell-based analog design involving resistors is to maintain the standard cell height by using an array of standard resistor legs. As the array becomes larger and more taps are placed on the resistor, random orientation of the resistor legs can lead to routing problems as signals cross back and forth across the cell routing channel. Heuristic optimization of the resistor leg orientation to reduce signal crossing becomes a complex search through a 2^n-1 search space, where n is the number of legs to be oriented.