Research in Circuit Layout

随着超大规模集成电路芯片上组件的密度不断增长，开发定制芯片的计算机辅助工具的需求对于超大规模集成电路技术的持续发展至关重要。本研究的重点是定制芯片布局，这一领域有望在未来十年取得重大突破。这里的目的是发展理论知识，有效的算法，和实验布局系统。长期计划是为定制VLSI芯片开发一个面向目标、分层的构建块系统（用于VLSI设计中的放置和路由的自动自定义布局系统）。逻辑设计、仿真和物理布局并行运行，以减少设计时间并产生无错误的布局。分层模拟器将与分层构建块布局系统集成。系统的灵活性将允许设计师的干预。

As the density of components on a VLSI chip continues to grow, the need to develop computer-aided tools for custom chips is crucial for the continued advance of VLSI technology. This research concentrates on custom chip layout, an area in which major breakthrough is expected in the next decade. The aim here is to develop theoretical knowledge, efficient algorithms, and experimental layout systems. The long-term plan is to develop a goal-oriented, hierarchical, building block system (an automatic custom layout system for placement and routing in VLSI design) for custom VLSI chips. Logical design, simulation, and physical layout are run in parallel to reduce design time and produce error-free layout. Hierarchical simulators are to be integrated with a hierarchical building block layout system. System flexibility will allow designer's intervention.