Interconnect Optimization Strategies for High-Performance VLSI Designs

Interconnect tuning and repeater insertion are necessary to optimize interconnectdelay, signalperformanceandintegrity, andinterconnectmanufacturability and reliability. Repeater insertion in interconnects is an increasinglyimportantelementin the physicaldesignofhigh-performance VLSI systems. By interconnect tuning, we refer to the selection of line thicknesses, widths and spacings in multi-layer interconnect to simultaneously optimize signal distribution, signal performance, signal integrity, and interconnect manufacturability and reliability. This is a key activity in most leading-edge design projects, but has received little attention in the literature. Our work provides the first technology-specific studiesofinterconnecttuning in the literature. We centeron globalwiring layers and interconnect tuning issues related to bus routing, repeater insertion, and choice of shielding/spacing rules for signal integrity and performance. We address four basic questions. (1) How should width and...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 1999
• Where: VLSID
• Authors: Andrew B. Kahng, Sudhakar Muddu, Egino Sarto
• Keywords: Interconnect Tuning, Repeater Insertion, Signal Integrity, VLSI, VLSID 1999