The inherent distortion of the structural regularity of VLSI datapaths after logic optimization has until now precluded dense regular layouts of optimized datapaths despite their implicit regularity. This paper presents a methodology enabling utilization of datapath regularity for dense layout even after extensive logic optimization. A structural netlist analysis extracts regularity from the initial unoptimized netlist which serves as a partial relative regular preplacement. After each customary iteration of placement, backannotation and logic optimization, functional correspondences between the optimized and the original netlists are identified by a logic correspondence extractor. The functional and structural analyses results are then merged yielding a regular preplacement for the logically optimized design.
R. X. T. Nijssen, C. A. J. van Eijk