DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] An integrated verification and manufacturability tool is described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the invention.

[0026] Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0027] Methods and apparatuses are described herein with respect to integrated circuit manufacturing; however, the techniques described can be applied to the manufacturing and/or design process of any integrated device. Integrated devices include integrated circuits, micromachines, thin film structures such as disk drive heads, gene chips, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), or any other article of manufacture that is manufactured using lithography techniques.

[0028] An integrated verification and manufacturability tool provides more efficient verification of integrated device designs than verification using several different verification tools. The integrated verification and manufacturability tool includes a hierarchical database to store design data accessed by multiple verification tool components (e.g., layout versus schematic, design rule check, optical process correction, phase shift mask assignment). The hierarchical database includes representations of one or more additional, or intermediate layer structures that are created and used by the verification tool components for operations performed on the design being verified. Designs can include only a single layer; however, the hierarchical database can include one or more intermediate layers for a single layer original design. Use of a single hierarchical database for multiple verification steps streamlines the verification process, which provides an improved verification tool.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a conceptual illustration of an integrated verification and manufacturability tool. The integrated verification and manufacturability tool of FIG. 4 includes a single hierarchical database that is used by each component within the tool. For purposes of description, the integrated verification and manufacturability tool includes a database and multiple components. The components perform the core functionality of the individual stand alone tools of FIG. 3 ; however, because they are included in an integrated verification and manufacturability tool, the individual components are not referred to as tools. Use of a single database for multiple components reduces the time and effort required for the verification process.

[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates an LVS component, a DRC component, an optical rule checking (ORC) component, a PSM component, an OPC component, and an “other” component 470 indicating that additional components can be added to the integrated verification and manufacturability. In alternate embodiments, fewer components can be used, for example, only a DRC and an OPC component might be used.

[0031] In one embodiment, the tool scans a listing of desired operations to be performed, sometimes called a “ruledeck,” to determine the required inputs and outputs. The tool then reads in the required input layers from the input database and creates empty output layers, to be filled during computation. In addition, several intermediate or “working” layers may be created to hold temporary computation results. In one embodiment, all inputs, outputs and intermediate results are geometry collections called “layers,” defined as a collection of geometry in one or more cells of the layout. This definition is the same as a definition of a layer in the well known GDS II database standard format for representing layouts. Layers also allow hierarchical data representation.

[0032] Once the hierarchical database is formed and the list of required layers compiled, computations are carried out to fill the desired output layers. After the verification process is complete, the information stored in hierarchical database 410 is exported by data export process 480 . The exported data can be used by IC manufacturing process 395 to manufacture the IC design.

[0033] LVS component 440 , DRC component 450 , ORC component 460 , PSM component 420 , OPC component 430 , and any other component(s), as indicated by “other” 470 , operate on hierarchical data representing original IC layout 300 as stored in hierarchical database 410 . In one embodiment, LVS component 440 , DRC component 450 , ORC component 460 , PSM component 420 , and OPC component 430 operate on a hierarchical representation of edges that describe original IC layout 300 . The various components use the edge representations and the structures in the intermediate layers included in hierarchical database 410 to perform the respective operations.

[0034] Another embodiment of an integrated verification and manufacturability tool includes a component that can add arrays of regular features, such as small squares to the layout in order to help with the planarization, or physical flatness, of the fabricated silicon. These features are sometimes called “dummy fill” or “planarization fill.” By analyzing the density of the features in the layout, low-density areas are identified and filled in with new features.

[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates operation of one embodiment of an integrated verification and manufacturability tool. As described in greater detail below, the integrated verification and manufacturability tool can be executed by one or more computer systems.

[0036] In one embodiment, integrated verification and manufacturability tool 500 imports data from original database 520 into modified database 510 . Original database 520 can store the design to be verified in a relatively standard format, for example, GDS-II, while modified database 510 can store the design in a modified standard format, or in an independent format. In one embodiment, importation includes executing hierarchical injection and/or bin injection. In an alternate embodiment, the integrated verification and manufacturability tool 500 receives the data in the modified/independent format.

[0037] In general, hierarchical injection is a technique in which recurring patterns of cell placements are recognized and replaced with new cells that contain the patterns. Hierarchical injection creates a more efficient representation of original database 520 by reducing the number of redundant patterns of cell placements, or contexts. In one embodiment, specially designed heuristics are used to recognize the patterns and to determine the correct representation by the new cells.

[0038] The heuristics include, for example, the injection of hierarchy into arrays and the selective flattening of densely overlapping structures. In many layouts, arrays of a cell are described inefficiently from a verification perspective. The hierarchical injection heuristics recognize arrays and redefine rows, columns or small sub-arrays as new cells.

[0039] This added hierarchy reduces the amount of geometry promoted during the computation phase by greatly reducing the number of redundant interactions between placements in the array. In particular types of circuits, for example FPGAs, two large cells or arrays of cells will overlap each other to a large extent. This configuration is called a “dense overlap.” Hierarchical injection recognizes such instances and first flattens selected cells that overlap, and then re-introduces new, less interaction-prone cell structures.

[0040] Bin injection is a process of dividing flat layout geometry into cells. Bin injection can also be applied to a random collection of cells, to reconfigure the cell structure more efficiently. In one embodiment, bin injection is accomplished by dividing a layout not by cell names, but by geometric grid. Bin injection is one technique for converting a flat layout into a hierarchical layout.

[0041] Various importation techniques are described in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/234,030 filed Jan. 19, 1999 entitled “PLACEMENT BASED DESIGN CELLS INJECTION INTO AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DESIGN,” by Laurence W. Grodd, which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0042] Once modified database 510 is generated by hierarchical injection and/or bin injection, each component (e.g., LVS, DRC, PSM, OPC, ORC) operates on groups of geometric figures that represent portions of the layout of the integrated device design. These groups are generally referred to as an “edge collection.” An edge collection contains edges from a design that may be organized into polygons, depending on the nature of the operations. Typical edge collections may contain only the edges of a single cell, others may contain the edges of a cell and nearby elements, while others might contain all edges within an arbitrary boundary. Edges may be retrieved from the edge collection either as whole polygons, if the data they represent consists of polygons, or as free edges. Once retrieved and manipulated, new edges representing the output of the operation are stored in a layer from which the edges are retrieved and/or a previously unused intermediate layer in modified database 510 .

[0043] Selective promotion is a technique in which certain geometries in cells that have an effect on nearby cells are “promoted” to another level of the hierarchy. This promotion prevents the geometry in a cell from having conflicting behavior depending on the placement of the cell. For example, for a cell that has geometry very close to its own border, one placement of this cell may be isolated, but another placement may be close to another cell. In this case, the computed result for the geometry near the border may be different in each placement due to interaction with the nearby cell.

[0044] To resolve this conflict, the conflicting geometry close to the border is “promoted,” or flattened, to the next level of the hierarchy. This creates two versions of the geometry, one for each placement of the cell, each of which will produce different computational results. By reducing the number of unique interactions and conflicting geometries, the amount of promoted geometry is minimized, resulting in less computation and smaller file size. Promotion can be accomplished recursively.

[0045] Manipulation of edge collections, as well as the use of selective promotion facilitates sharing of data between multiple verification tool components without importation and exportation of data between databases. Previous verification tools typically represent IC designs in formats that are optimized for the specific tool without regard for sharing the design database. Sharing of data was accomplished through an importation/exportation process.

[0046] The hierarchical representation provided by modified database 510 provides several performance advantages. For example, previous verification tools typically used a cell cloning scheme to eliminate redundant contexts. However, some designs resulted in a very large number of clones which slowed the verification process. Selective promotion and hierarchical injection reduces, or even eliminates, redundant contexts in a more efficient manner, which allows the verification process to be completed more quickly than using a cloning-based technique.

[0047] Additionally, cloning techniques are based on the assumption that all inter-cell interactions are local. That is, interaction distances are bounded. However, for phase-shift mask (or reticle) assignment techniques, interaction distances are potentially unbounded. This requires a potentially unbounded number of cell clones, which would make hierarchical phase assignment impractical.

[0048] In one embodiment, the integrated verification and manufacturability tool includes an LVS component 440 and a DRC component 450 that perform both LVS verification operations and DRC verification operations on the edge collection stored in modified database 510 . In an alternate embodiment, LVS verification operations and DRC verification operations are performed by separate components.

[0049] The LVS verification operations analyze the edge collection to determine whether the layout accurately corresponds to the schematic design. In one embodiment, the edge collection is compared to a netlist corresponding to the design to determine whether the layout accurately represents the netlist representation. Errors identified by the LVS component can be flagged, identified and possibly corrected. In one embodiment, data generated by the LVS component and/or the corrected layout are stored in one or more intermediate layers in modified database 510 .

[0050] The DRC verification operations analyze the edge collection to determine whether any design rule violations exist. Design rules can include, for example, minimum line spacings, minimum line widths, minimum gate widths, or other geometric layout parameters. The design rules are based on, for example, the manufacturing process to be used to manufacture the resulting design layout. As with the LVS component, errors identified by the DRC component can be flagged, identified and possibly corrected. In one embodiment, data generated by the DRC component and/or the corrected layout are stored in one or more intermediate layers in modified database 510 .

[0051] In one embodiment, ORC component 460 analyzes the edge collection by simulating the performance expected on the wafer, and determining whether the wafer structures will violate a set of fabrication tolerances. ORC component 460 can also operate on the edge collection that represents the original layout, for example, prior to LVS and DRC being performed on the layout. As with the LVS and DRC components, errors identified by the ORC component can be flagged and identified and possibly corrected.

[0052] In one embodiment, PSM component 420 operates on an edge collection as modified by ORC component 460 ; however PSM component 420 can operate on other edge collections also. PSM component 420 creates phase shifting assignments for reticles of the design stored in modified database 510 . Phase shifting assignments can be made, for example, to enable extremely small gate widths and/or line widths. The resulting layers and/or reticle layers are stored in intermediate layers in modified database 510 .

[0053] In one embodiment, OPC component 430 operates on the edge collection as modified by PSM component 420 and stored in one or more intermediate layers in modified database 510 . OPC component 430 can also operate on the edge collection that represents the original layout, for example, if PSM is not performed on the layout.

[0054] Two general categories of OPC are currently in use: rule-based OPC and model based OPC; one or both of which can be applied. In rule-based OPC, a reticle layout is modified according to a set of fixed rules for geometric manipulation. In model-based OPC, an IC structure to be formed is modeled and a threshold that represents the boundary of the structure on the wafer can be determined from simulated result generated based on the model used.

[0055] Certain aspects of model-based OPC are described in greater detail in the following publications: Cobb et al., “Mathematical and CAD Framework for Proximity Correction,” Optical Microlithography IX, Proc. SPIE 2726, pp. 208-222 (1996); Cobb et al., “Experimental Results in Optical Proximity Correction with Variable Threshold Resist Model,” Optical Microlithography X, SPIE 3051, pp. 458-468 (1998); and Nicholas B. Cobb, “Fast Optical and Process Proximity Correction Algorithms for Integrated Circuit Manufacturing,” Ph.D. dissertation, Univ. Cal. Berkeley (1998).

[0056] OPC component 460 modifies the placement of one or more edges to provide improved optical performance of one or more reticles. One example of rule-based OPC that can be applied to a layout is the addition of assist features, for example, sub-resolution bars along an interconnection line, hammer head shapes at line ends, or serifs at a line corner. Other assist features can also be provided.

[0057] OPC component 460 can also modify placement of one or more edges based on models that predict the structures that will be produced using specific reticle layouts. The reticle layouts can be modified based on the results of the prediction to compensate for deficiencies that are identified by the modeling results. In one embodiment, the results Generated by OPC component 460 are stored in one or more intermediate layers in modified database 510 .

[0058] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the other component 470 of the integrated verification and manufacturability tool shown in FIG. 4A converts the optimized, shared data within the database into a format that can be supplied directly to a mask creating tool. Most mask creating tools use layout data in machine specific formats, such as MEBES for E-Beam and laser rasterizing writing tools, such as those from ETEC systems (an applied Materials Company), Hitachi format for Hitachi vector scan E-beam mask writers, .MIC format for hierarchical processing in mask writers from Micronic Corporation. Preparation of data for these mask writers typically involves importing layout data (typically GDS II) into a stand-alone translation tool to convert the standard format to the machine specific format.

[0059] Mask writing tools include raster scanning mask writing tools, vector scan mask writing tools, tools that utilize a parallel array of mask writing elements including arrays of microscopic mirrors, independently modulated laser beams, scanning probe microscope elements or other mechanisms that create photolithographic masks or reticles.

[0060] The component 470 therefore executes computer code that determines the form in which the data is to be exported, either by prompting a user for such a selection or based on a default etc. Next, the component converts a desired portion, such as an individual data layer, of the shared data within the database into the selected mask writing language. Data may also be called and translated as subsets of the data layer, to be processed independently or in parallel, to increase translation precision or speed.

[0061] In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention in which the database is hierarchical, the conversion of the database to the desired mask writing language includes the steps of reading a portion of the data layer into temporary memory, processing the portion according to the machine specific translation specifications, and writing the translated portion into an output file. This is repeated until the entire layer has been converted, portion by portion. Although it will be appreciated that the job can be more manageable when divided by portions or other subsets of the data layer, another embodiment that may have advantages in some circumstances comprises moving the entire data layer to be converted into a flattened data layer, then converting the entire flattened layer into the specified machine language.

[0062] As will be appreciated, by including a component 470 that can export the verified and optimized design data directly in the mask writing machine language, there is less chance of error due to compatibility problems between software systems. In addition, the time required to process the layout data and produce a mask is also reduced.

[0063] For the purpose of the present specification and claims, the term “mask” is intended to cover both conventional photolithographic contact printing masks as well as reticles or other devices on which patterns are formed that determine whether illumination light is allowed to reach a wafer.

[0064] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a computer system. The computer system illustrated in FIG. 6 is intended to represent a range of computer systems. Alternative computer systems can include more, fewer and/or different components.

[0065] Computer system 600 includes a bus 601 or other communication device to communicate information, and a processor 602 coupled to the bus 601 to process information. While the computer system 600 is illustrated with a single processor, the computer system 600 can include multiple processors and/or co-processors. In a multiprocessor embodiment, operations performed by the various verification and manufacturability tools are divided by cells, bins or other techniques for dividing work between processors. For example, a single cell is operated upon by a processor while another cell is operated upon by a different processor. When the cell operations are complete, the processor can perform verification operations on another cell.

[0066] Computer system 600 further includes random access memory (RAM) or another dynamic storage device 604 (referred to as main memory), coupled to a bus 601 to store information and instructions to be executed by a processor 602 . Main memory 604 also can be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions by a processor 602 .

[0067] Computer system 600 also includes read only memory (ROM) and/or other static storage device 606 coupled to a bus 601 to store static information and instructions for a processor 602 . Data storage device 607 is coupled to a bus 601 to store information and instructions. Data storage device 607 such as a magnetic disk or optical disc and corresponding drive can be coupled to a computer system 600 .

[0068] Computer system 600 can also be coupled via a bus 601 to a display device 621 , such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD), to display information to a computer user. Alphanumeric input device 622 , including alphanumeric and other keys, is typically coupled to a bus 601 to communicate information and command selections to a processor 602 . Another type of user input device is a cursor control 623 , such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys to communicate direction information and command selections to a processor 602 and to control cursor movement on a display 621 .

[0069] Computer system 600 further includes a network interface 630 to provide access to a network, such as a local area network. According to one embodiment, an integrated verification and manufacturability tool is provided by one or more computer systems, such as a computer system 600 , or other electronic device in response to one or more processors, such as a processor 602 , executing sequences of instructions contained in memory, such as a main memory 604 .

[0070] Instructions are provided to memory from a storage device, such as magnetic disk, a read only memory (ROM) integrated circuit, CD-ROM or DVD, via a remote connection (e.g., over a network via network interface 630 ) that is either wired or wireless, etc. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry can be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions to implement the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software instructions.

[0071] A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism that provides (i.e., stores and/or transmits) information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, a machine-readable medium includes read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.).

[0072] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of design verification with an integrated verification and manufacturability tool. FIG. 7 illustrates a specific sequence through a specific set of verification procedures. The specific verification procedures and the sequence in which verification is performed can be modified based on, for example, the type of design being verified.

[0073] Data describing the integrated device design is imported at 710 . In one embodiment, the data is imported from a GDS-II file; however, other formats can also be used. In general, conversion of data from one format to another is known in the art. As mentioned above, during importation, intermediate layers are added to the imported data to be stored in a hierarchical database.

[0074] In one embodiment, the number of intermediate layers added is determined based on the verification procedures to be performed, and possibly on the sequence in which the verification procedures are performed. One or more intermediate layers are added for each of the verification procedures to be performed. In one embodiment, a job description is analyzed in association with importation of an integrated device design. The job description indicates the verification procedures to be performed and the portions of the design that are to be verified.

[0075] Layout versus schematic (LVS) verification is performed at 720 . In general, LVS verification compares the original design layout to a netlist that described the interconnections of components within the design. The intermediate layer(s) associated with LVS verification stores the results of the LVS verification. The intermediate layer(s) can store, for example, a description of errors found during LVS verification, or a modified design based on the results of the LVS verification process.

[0076] Design rule checking (DRC) is performed at 720 . DRC searches the design for violations of a predetermined set of conditions (e.g., minimum line widths, minimum separations) and returns a result indicating whether design rule violations were found. The intermediate layer(s) associated with DRC can store, for example, a list of design rule errors found, or a modified design that satisfies the design rules. Optical rule checking (ORC) is performed at 740 . In one embodiment, the ORC is performed on one or more simulated integrated device layers.

[0077] In one embodiment, ORC includes “flagging” edges in a layout that are predicted to result in silicon printability errors. In another embodiment, simulated silicon shapes are generated from the layout, then DRC is performed on the simulated silicon shapes. This can be thought of as “silicon DRC” or another application ORC.

[0078] Phase shift mask assignments are made at 750 and an optical process correction is performed at 760 . Data may be exported at 770 in the format in which it is stored in the database. Alternatively, if the integrated verification and manufacturability tool includes an integrated component that converts the shared data into a mask writing machine language, the data may be exported in a form that can be read by a mask writing tool directly.

[0079] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[0080] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.