Abstract

In this paper an original constraint-driven placement tool targeted for full-custom mixed-signal design is described. One of its main objectives is to quickly obtain feasible layout configurations, and explore efficiently the effect of different sets of constraints in an interactiveenvironment. By using direct-approach algorithms, all feasible constraints are met by construction.Overconstraints are detected, and quick feedbackisgiven to the user about infeasible requirements. Good results have been obtained on a significantset of industrial-strength test cases. 1. Introduction Most of the existing approaches to performance-driven layout design, in particular in the mixed-signal and analog domain, have focused on full automation of the design process. In particular the fundamental work done at Berkeley [1] and at Carnegie Mellon [2] has contributed to an understanding of the issues related to constraint management and enforcementinlayout. However, as the circuit complexityandthenumbe...

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