JP2818279B2 - IC order development decision support system - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention particularly relates to an IC order development decision support system that supports overall layout design of a custom (dedicated) LSI or the like.

(Prior art) Application-specific ICs (ASICs) have been increasingly demanded and scaled up. This ASIC (application specific int
egrated circuit) is a USIC (userspecific IC) and ASSP
(Application specific standard product). USIC is an original IC for a user (user) and is often designed by the user himself. For this reason, it is not generally sold outside. Meanwhile, AS
SPs are ASICs developed for external sales from the beginning, and sellers (semiconductor manufacturers and design centers) design a wide variety of standard products.

Recently, there has been a great demand for the above-mentioned ASSPs, and the design method and design process thereof are broadly classified into a gate array system and a standard cell system, and various types are applied in order to support large-scale ASICs.

First, in a gate array of a type in which wiring is provided to gates arranged in a column in advance on a chip to realize a desired logic, a gate is provided on the entire surface of the chip from a fixed channel type in which a wiring region (channel) is fixed. The channelless (sea of gate) type, which secures channels as needed, has become mainstream. This is often used for designing semi-custom LSIs.

Also, there are two types of standard cells in which a standard cell registered in a cell library is used to assemble an LSI circuit, a polycell type and a building block type depending on the cell shape. The polycell type uses a cell whose height is constant in principle. On the other hand, in the building block type, there is no limitation on the shape of the cell, a large cell (mega cell) can be used, and a circuit layout or a combination of cells is used to configure a chip layout. This makes it possible, for example, to register the core part (CPU core) of the microprocessor as a megacell.

Recently, not only standard cells registered in a library but also cells generated by a module generator (cell generator) are often used. This is not a standard cell method,
Sometimes called the base method, it has come to be used heavily in the design of full custom or semi-custom LSIs.

As described above, the reason that the scale of ASSPs has become larger and the layout design thereof has become more complicated is that the demand for full custom LSIs, which are completely custom designed in response to customer requirements, has increased.

Full custom LSIs require customers to examine a wide range of features, such as the characteristics, performance, reliability, size, price, and delivery date of each function. For this reason, in order to respond to orders with customers, technicians who have experience in system technology of applied products interact with customers, and then consult with design and manufacturing engineers. After that, we will answer what kind of standard products are used and what kind of method will be used to complete the most suitable LSI for customer requirements.

However, such pre-examination with a customer takes time, and a plurality of technicians involved in this study take time. The current situation is that the delivery date is also delayed, and an immediate and appropriate response to customers is desired.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, the demand for large-scale semi-custom and full-custom LSIs as conventional ASSPs has increased, and as a result, the variety of standard products and the diversification of design methods have increased. Being promoted. Therefore, the user can easily obtain a desired large-scale LSI. However, on the seller side, there is a drawback that many engineers take time for complicated pre-examination to complete an LSI that is optimal for the user.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to reduce the time and the number of engineers in the pre-examination of a custom LSI that many engineers should be involved in,
The most suitable LS that meets customer requirements by responding to orders from customers
I can give quick and qualified advice to complete I
C To provide an order development support system.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The IC order development decision support system of the present invention has an existing macro cell for a class of a standard cell type IC and a cell based type IC. A first knowledge base in which rules and data necessary for the layout design are stored as standard cells, and similar cells approached as development bases that can substitute the standard cells stored in the first knowledge base. A second knowledge base in which the product group is covered and rules and data necessary for the layout design are stored, and rules relating to a development schedule necessary for layout design of the similar product group stored in the second knowledge base And a third knowledge base for storing data, a knowledge base management mechanism for managing each of the knowledge bases, and a rule for each of the knowledge bases Inference engine that performs inference processing based on data and data, a user interface for flowing data from the inference engine, referencing results, and knowledge for acquiring knowledge from experts and updating and maintaining the knowledge base An expert system consisting of an expert interface composed of an acquisition support mechanism and a tool that meets the customer's requirements using the expert system tool
A processor for inferring and verifying an LSI layout design is provided.

(Operation) In the present invention, a veteran engineer's agency is realized by using the expert system. Basically, we always respond to orders with existing standard products. Even if there is no conforming product, a similar product is selected from the second knowledge base, the development schedule of the new product is registered in the third knowledge base, and the new product is set as the existing standard product as the first standard product. Register in the database. Furthermore, by incorporating the development schedule of this new product into the judgment step, it becomes possible to deal with customers with apparently normal standard products. As a result, prompt and accurate answers and advice can be consistently provided.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an IC order development decision support system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention uses an expert system 1 that makes good use of the knowledge of experts in a particular field.

As mentioned above, full customization of ASSPs has increased and megacells can be used to cope with this, and integration using not only standard cells registered in the library but also cells generated by cell generators It is also necessary to configure the chip layout by a standard standard cell system, a so-called cell-based layout method. An IC formed by the above-described integrated standard cell method is called a cell-based IC.

The expert system 1 has a database 2 of standard products (macro cells) assuming the layout up to the cell-based IC class, a database 3 covering similar products of the standard products registered in the database 2, and customer requests. Full custom LS suitable for customer's request by using three knowledge bases 5 of database 4 in which development schedules of new development products are registered to conform to
It constitutes an indispensable tool for a system that responds quickly to I orders.

The expert system 1 includes a knowledge base management mechanism 6 for managing three knowledge bases 5 in which various kinds of information are stored, an inference engine 7 for performing inference using knowledge in the knowledge base 5, and a data input and inference system. The system includes a user interface 8 for referring to a flow and a result, and an interface 9 for experts, which is a knowledge acquisition support mechanism for acquiring knowledge from an expert and updating and maintaining a knowledge base.

Using the expert system 1, a workstation for a technician is configured. In other words, various departments of design and manufacturing are connected by the host computer 11 by the network 10 between departments. Each department has a database construction mechanism unique to the department by the host computer 11, and can exchange information on the database 5 in the expert system 1 and the knowledge accumulated in the department. Each of the host computers 11 is connected to an intra-departmental network 12 so that each terminal 13 (for example, a portable computer) can share and use the expert system 1.

As described above, the database 2 in the expert system 1 accumulates knowledge necessary for layout design up to the cell-based IC class, which depends on the know-how of experienced design engineers and manufacturing engineers. Have been. That is, it covers a wide range of knowledge, such as the characteristics, performance, reliability, size, price, delivery date, etc. of each standard product group in macro cell units. FIG. 2 shows the basic system configuration of the expert system 1.

Such a system configuration can be operated by the terminal 13. That is, based on the knowledge of the database 2, the inference engine 7 determines each item (example) based on the selection rule base (21), and requests from the customer for the full custom LSI (special requirement specification (24)). For example, a standard product suitable for the chip internal configuration, envelope (including the number of terminals), schedule, application, etc. is estimated (22), and messages on the proposal, schedule, price, etc. of each configuration in the chip are output. (twenty three). In addition, if the developed product group is added or a trouble occurs, the engineer will review the rules (25).

The outline of various judgment steps using the above items will be exemplified below.

1. Judgment of the purpose of use.

2. Judgment of specialty name, destination, end customer, etc.

3. Judgment of system configuration such as new or compatible library configuration.

4. Judgment of various characteristics such as AC / DC characteristics and specifications.

5. Design decisions such as chip size, number of elements, schedule, etc.

6. Process determination of what process is feasible.

7. Assembling decisions that meet customer requirements.

8. Reliability judgment that meets customer requirements.

9. Cost judgment to calculate various costs.

10. Judgment of schedule for various developed products.

In the process of performing such a determination step, an appropriate item is selected from the item (example) in the selection rule base in FIG. However, if the customer's desired product cannot be satisfied with the standard product, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to develop a new macro cell to be registered in the standard library. If necessary, a similar product shown in FIG. Database 3 is searched for similar products that are the basis of development. Knowledge is accumulated in the database 3 so that a similar product can approach a standard product in the database 2 from various angles (function, performance, characteristics, etc.). After selecting which similar product is to be used for the development base, the schedule data of the product to be newly developed is registered in the database 4.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a typical system configuration judgment of the above judgment step.

In the process of steps 33 to 41, if a full custom LSI that meets the needs of the customer can be realized with existing standard products, a message is output in process 42 and a reply can be given.
That is, the display of the portable computer 13 in FIG.
The output is displayed at 14. TOV / SP is lifetime sales / profit.

However, if the existing product does not fit, a new macro
The need for cell creation emerges. In this case, the process is re-examined through the determination process 34 to the process 43. If there is room for any change in the judgment item, the process returns to the process 41, changes the system configuration, and enters the process 33 again. However, if it is necessary to launch a new standard product, the process 3
Exchange information and select a similar product as the development base. Thereafter, the development period is calculated from all conditions in the process 46, and after that period, the data as the development product is registered in the database 2 on the assumption that the product is completed, and is added as a standard product. On the other hand, the development schedule of the newly developed product is registered in the database 4 and is entered from the process 35 so that the inference is considered.

In this way, it is possible to present the optimum conditions in each of the functions, performance, quality, and cost demanded by the customer.
Further, since consistent judgment criteria of the expert engineer are always prepared for all customers, human errors such as missing judgment items in the pre-examination performed at the time of receiving orders can be prevented. At the same time, standardization of newly developed products and customer service can proceed at the same time, so that the next customer service can be performed more easily and quickly.

In this IC order development decision support system, the expert system 1 is inserted into a portable computer and is carried around, and it is possible to handle orders with customers in the same manner as a veteran engineer. This saves time for multiple technicians. In addition, prompt and appropriate answers to customers contribute to shortening delivery times.

[Effect of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, a full custom
Even if you are not an expert technician, you will be able to give accurate answers to customers and give appropriate advice to LSI quotes and pre-examinations with customers. In addition, since there are consistent judgment criteria, there is no omission in consideration.
This saves the time of many experienced technicians.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a basic system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a system configuration determination according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 ... Expert system, 2,3,4 ... Database, 5 ... Knowledge base, 6 ... Knowledge base management mechanism, 7
…… Inference engine, 8 …… User interface, 9…
... Professional interface, 10 ... Inter-departmental network, 11 ... Host computer, 12 ... Departmental network, 13 ... Terminal (portable computer), 14 ... Display.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI G06F 15/60 658A 604D G05B 15/02 Z (72) Inventor Osamu Yakabe 1 Kogashi Toshiba-cho, Koyuki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Co., Ltd. Inside the Toshiba Tamagawa Plant (72) Inventor Takakazu Kurioka 1, Komukai Toshiba-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Toshiba Tamagawa Plant (72) Inventor Yuji Fukushima 580-1 Horikawa-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa (72) Inventor Hirofumi Ando 580-1 Horikawa-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Toshiba Semiconductor System Technology Center Co., Ltd. (72) Osamu Fujii Horikawa, Sachi-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture No. 580-1, Toshiba Semiconductor System Technology Center Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tetsuya Yamamoto Hori, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa No. 580-1, Toshiba Semiconductor System Technology Center Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takao Shijo 4-32-1, Nishigotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Tosback Computer Systems Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-2-2 264451 (JP, A) JP-A-4-128971 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H01L 21/82, 27/118 G06F 17/50

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A macro cell for a class of a standard cell type IC and a cell based type IC is provided as an existing standard cell, and rules and data necessary for layout design thereof are stored. And a similar product group approached as a substitutable development base for standard cells stored in the first knowledge base, and rules and data required for layout design thereof are stored. A second knowledge base; a third knowledge base in which rules and data relating to a development schedule necessary for layout design of a similar product group stored in the second knowledge base are stored; and each of the knowledge bases is managed. A knowledge base management mechanism; an inference engine that performs inference processing based on rules and data of each of the knowledge bases; An expert system consisting of a user interface for data flow from the system and result reference, and an expert interface consisting of a knowledge acquisition support mechanism for acquiring knowledge from experts and updating and maintaining the knowledge base. A processor for inferring and verifying an LSI layout design that meets the customer's requirements by using the tool of the expert system. 2. An existing standard cell comprising macro cells for the classes of the standard cell type IC and the cell-based type IC, wherein rules and data necessary for the layout design are stored. And a similar product group approached as a substitutable development base for standard cells stored in the first knowledge base, and rules and data required for layout design thereof are stored. A second knowledge base; a third knowledge base in which rules and data relating to a development schedule necessary for layout design of a similar product group stored in the second knowledge base are stored; and each of the knowledge bases is managed. A knowledge base management mechanism; an inference engine that performs inference processing based on rules and data of each of the knowledge bases; An expert system consisting of a user interface for data flow from the system and result reference, and an expert interface consisting of a knowledge acquisition support mechanism for acquiring knowledge from experts and updating and maintaining the knowledge base. A first network means having a plurality of distributed databases so that knowledge in the expert system is updated in each department, and using a tool of the expert system in which the knowledge is updated between the departments; A second network means having a plurality of processors connected to the network means of each of the departments and sharing and using the tool of the expert system in each department, and adapted to the special requirements by using the tool of the expert system by the processor. The feature is that the layout design of the LSI is inferred and verified. IC orders development decision support system that. 3. The inference engine and the knowledge base management mechanism register a similar product obtained by a rule in the second knowledge base as a standard cell and register the similar product in the first knowledge base, and develop the similar product. 3. An IC order development system according to claim 1, further comprising means for registering a schedule in a third knowledge base and adding the schedule as a judgment criterion for a layout design of a customer-desired full custom LSI in said expert system. Decision support system. 4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of processors are portable computers.