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US6907587B2
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US
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System and method for correcting connectivity errors in a mask layout file
Assignee: CELERICS TECHNOLOGIES Corp
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Filing: 2002-04-25
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Granted: 2005-06-14
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Expires: 2022-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for correcting connectivity errors in a mask layout are disclosed. The method includes comparing a first connection in a mask layout file to a second connection in a schematic netlist. A connectivity error is identified if the first connection does not match the second connection and the identified connectivity error is automatically corrected in the mask layout file.
Inventors
- 👤 Dan Rittman
- 👤 Micha Oren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F30/00; G06F30/30; G06F30/39; G06F30/398
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
An automated method for correcting connectivity errors in a mask layout file, comprising: comparing a first connection in a mask layout file to a second connection in a schematic netlist; identifying a connectivity error in the mask layout file if the first connection does not match the second connection; and automatically correcting the connectivity error in the mask layout file by modifying the first connection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
An automated method for correcting connectivity errors in a mask layout file, comprising: comparing a first connection in a mask layout file to a second connection in a schematic netlist; identifying a connectivity error in the mask layout file if the first connection does not match the second connection; and automatically correcting the connectivity error in the mask layout file by modifying the first connection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining if the modified first connection creates a design rule error; and eliminating the design rule error by further modifying the first connection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating a clean mask layout file that does not include the connectivity error.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating an output file that includes the connectivity error.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein correcting the connectivity error comprises: creating a break point in the first connection; locating a layout node in the mask layout file that corresponds to a schematic node associated with the second connection in the schematic netlist; and routing a third connection from the break point to the layout node.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising removing a portion of the first connection located between the break point and the layout node.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising routing the third connection from the break point to the layout node without introducing design rule errors in the mask layout file.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the mask layout file and the schematic netlist are hierarchical.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the schematic netlist including a list of nodes and logical connections associated with a schematic representation of an integrated circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the mask layout file including first polygons that represent the first connection and second polygons that represent the second connection.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
94 words
A computer system for correcting connectivity errors in a mask file, comprising: a processing resource; a computer readable memory; and processing instructions encoded in the computer readable memory, the processing instructions, when executed by the processing resource, operable to perform operations comprising: comparing a first connection in a mask layout file to a second connection in a schematic netlist; identifying a connectivity error in the mask layout file if the first connection does not match the second connection; and automatically correcting the connectivity error in the mask layout file by modifying the first connection.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
94 words
A computer system for correcting connectivity errors in a mask file, comprising: a processing resource; a computer readable memory; and processing instructions encoded in the computer readable memory, the processing instructions, when executed by the processing resource, operable to perform operations comprising: comparing a first connection in a mask layout file to a second connection in a schematic netlist; identifying a connectivity error in the mask layout file if the first connection does not match the second connection; and automatically correcting the connectivity error in the mask layout file by modifying the first connection.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 11 , further comprising the instructions operable to perform operations including: creating a break point in the first connection; locating a layout node in the mask layout file that corresponds to a schematic node associated with the second connection in the schematic netlist; and route a third connection from the break point to the layout node.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 12 , further comprising the instructions operable to perform operations including: routing a third connection from the break point to the layout node; determining if the third connection creates a design rule error in the mask layout file; and eliminating the design rule error by modifying the third connection.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 12 , further comprising the instructions operable to perform operations including removing a portion of the first connection located between the break point and the layout node.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein the processing resource is operable to generate a clean mask layout file that does not include the connectivity error.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein the mask layout file and the schematic netlist are hierarchical.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
81 words
Software for correcting connectivity errors in a mask layout file, the software being embodied in computer-readable media and when executed operable to: compare a first connection in a mask layout file to a second connection in a schematic netlist; identify a connectivity error in the mask layout file if the first connection does not match the second connection; and in response to identifying the connectivity error, automatically correct the connectivity error in the mask layout file by modifying the first connection.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
81 words
Software for correcting connectivity errors in a mask layout file, the software being embodied in computer-readable media and when executed operable to: compare a first connection in a mask layout file to a second connection in a schematic netlist; identify a connectivity error in the mask layout file if the first connection does not match the second connection; and in response to identifying the connectivity error, automatically correct the connectivity error in the mask layout file by modifying the first connection.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The software of claim 17 , further operable to: determine if the modified first connection creates a design rule error in the mask layout file; and eliminate the design rule error by further modifying the first connection.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
63 words
The software of claim 17 , further comprising correcting the connectivity error in the mask layout file by: creating a break point in the first connection; locating a layout node in the mask layout file that corresponds to a schematic node associated with the second connection in the schematic netlist; and routing a third connection from the break point to the layout node.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The software of claim 19 , further comprising correcting the connectivity error in the mask layout file by removing a portion of the first connection located between the break point and the layout node.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The software of claim 19 , further comprising correcting the connectivity error by routing the third connection from the break point to the layout node without introducing design rule errors in the mask layout file.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The software of claim 17 , wherein the mask layout file and the schematic netlist are hierarchical.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-06-13 | 2008-12-13 | 2009-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-06-13 | 2012-12-13 | 2013-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-06-13 | 2016-12-13 | 2017-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |