GMIG

GMIG Introduction
GMIG Usages and Success Stories

GMIG Introduction

GMIG – G-Analog migration tool is a hierarchical layout prototype and migration tool. Since
traditional layout migration tools use layout compaction algorithm with focus on meeting design rules that require complex technology file, it’s hard to use and has limited capacity. There is a need for a fast and large capacity layout prototype and migration tool. GMIG uses a new scale/pitch centric approach instead of design rule centric approach for layout prototype and migration. GMIG provides fast prototyping capability to verify different migration scenarios to reach better design performance and quality under tight project schedule.

GMIG features

  • Require no techfile; easy to use, intuitive migration setup graphical user interface
  • Fast prototyping for different migration scenarios
  • Preserve original layout design intent
  • Preserve original connectivity, enable LVS, parasitic extraction
  • Layer mapping, layer generation
  • Migrate at block or macro level
  • Pcell replacement in layout tool

GMIG Applications

  • Std Cell
    Migrate to new poly pitch/length, metal pitch/width and track
  • Memory
    Migrate to new memory bitcell x and y pitch
  • Analog
    • Preserve original layout intent, placement, matching and connection
    • Fast prototyping for different migration scenarios
  • I/O
    • Preserve original layout pin, signal/power ring locations among cells
Benchmark for a Memory Block Migration Project
Item Traditional GMIG Remark
Design 1 week 1 week Parallel in GMIG
Layout 1 month 1 week Parallel in GMIG
Post-Layout 2 weeks 1 week Parallel in GMIG
Characterization 1 week 1 week
Total Time 2 months 2 weeks

Migration Results

  • Block level migration takes minutes
  • Macro level prototyping takes minutes
  • Macro level migration takes hours
  • Migrated layouts range from 20nm, 28nm, 40nm, 65nm, 130nm, 180nm
  • Migrated results maintain connectivity, allowing LVS and PEX


GMIG Usages and Success Stories:

GMIG is the fastest and highest capacity layout migration tool in the market. It can migrate layout to a new process, resize device sizes and fix DRC errors. Here are some of the tool usage by customers.

Perform Layout Migration for Analog Circuits

Customer needs to migrate a set of 7 analog circuit layouts from 65nm to 90nm. The circuit netlists are already optimized and resized. GMIG is used to migrate the layouts. All layouts together are migrated within days.

Perform Layout Migration for Memory Macros

Customer needs to migrate a sets of memory circuit layouts from 65nm to 40nm. The main goal is to match the bitcell pitch. All layouts together are migrated within days.

Perform Standard Cell Layout Migration

Customer needs to migrate a 9 track standard cell library to 7 track standard cell library. GMIG only takes minutes to migrate. Most cell layouts have few remaining DRC errors, some cell layouts need to be partially redrawn due to unresolved DRC errors.

Perform DRC Fixing

Customer needs to migrate a custom design chip from 28nm to 20nm. Customer perform circuit optimization and initial layout migration, GMIG is used for DRC fixing. There are 8 sub-blocks to be fixed by GMIG, some blocks are over 1mm² size and have tens of million of DRC errors. GMIG was able to fix between 85% to 95% of DRC errors for all the blocks. All layouts together are migrated within weeks.