NTUplace: a ratio partitioning based placement algorithm for large-scale mixed-size designs

In this paper, we present a hierarchical ratio partitioning based placement algorithm for large-scale mixed-size designs. The placement algorithm consists of three steps: global placement, legalization, and detailed placement; it works in a hierarchical manner and integrates net-weighting partitioning, whitespace management, look-ahead bipartitioning, and fast legalization to handle the large-scale mixed-size placement problems. Unlike the traditional partitioning-based technique that is based on balanced partitioning, we apply ratio partitioning in each level. Further, applying the look-ahead bipartitioning technique in each level, we can evaluate the feasibility of the placement for sub-partitions more accurately. Therefore, we can find better ratios for the partitions, leading to easier legalization for the global placement result and finally a better detailed placement solution. Experimental results show the efficiency and effectiveness of our algorithm. Categories and Subject ...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2005
• Where: ISPD
• Authors: Tung-Chieh Chen, Tien-Chang Hsu, Zhe-Wei Jiang, Yao-Wen Chang
• Keywords: Detailed Placement, Global Placement, Hardware, ISPD 2005, Placement Algorithm