JPH07239874A - Grid display system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the layout design efficiency of a layout editor by making the grid display picture of the layout editor or the like easy to see and to improve the operability by an operator. CONSTITUTION:Not only a first grid G1 of a relatively coarse pitch is displayed throughout the work area on a display screen DPY of the layout editor or the like, but also a second grid G2 of a relatively fine pitch is partially and selectively displayed in a prescribed area having the display position of a cursor CS as the base point or a prescribed area which includes the display position of the cursor CS and is surrounded by a prescribed number of grid points of the first grid G1. The display position of the second grid G2 is selectively fixed by a prescribed key operation and is not moved in accordance with the cursor CS. Thus, the first grid G1 is taken as a rough guide for position discrimination to finely designate a layout position by the second grid G2, and the frequency in switching-over of grid display pitch is reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a grid display system, for example, a layout editor used for layout design of a semiconductor integrated circuit or a printed circuit board, and a technique particularly effective for use in the grid display system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art CAD (Computer Aided)
As a part of the Design system, there is a layout editor that efficiently realizes a layout design of a semiconductor integrated circuit or a printed circuit board using a computer or the like. A computer or the like used for this layout editor includes a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, and the display screen has grid-like points or grids of a predetermined pitch corresponding to the layout pitch on the substrate. , And a cursor for the operator to specify the layout position via a mouse or the like is displayed.

Regarding the layout editor, for example,
In July 1992, "Virtuoso" was added to "Layout" published by Cadence Design Systems Co., Ltd.
Advanced Layout Editor ”.

[0004]

In the layout editor described above, the grid G displayed on the display screen DPY is 0.8 μm as illustrated in FIG. 7 or 8.
(Micrometer) × 0.8μm or 0.2μm ×
It is displayed with a single pitch such as 0.2 μm, and the operator specifies the position with these grids as a target. As is well known, in the layout design of semiconductor integrated circuits and printed circuit boards, the movement and copying of patterns in units of relatively large blocks, the designation of layout positions in units of relatively small elements or wiring, etc. Is required. Of these, in the former case, grid display of a relatively coarse grid as illustrated in FIG. 7 is effective, and in the latter case, grid display of a relatively fine grid as illustrated in FIG. 8 is effective.

However, as the integration and scale of semiconductor integrated circuits and printed circuit boards have increased, the following problems arise in the conventional layout editor as described above. It became clear.
That is, in the layout editor, since the grid is displayed at a single pitch as described above, for example, the coordinates [18, 10] are set as the layout position (here, for example, the upper left corner of the display screen DPY is used as the base point in the horizontal axis direction). At 18
μm and the position where 10 μm is taken in the vertical axis direction are coordinates [18, 1
0]. If you want to specify the point)
Since the grid display in FIG. 7 is too coarse, the grid display in FIG. 8 cannot be avoided. However, in FIG. 8, 0.2 μm × including other parts not related to the designated position
A fine grid of 0.2 μm is displayed over the entire work area, and it is difficult to distinguish it from the grid display of 0.8 μm × 0.8 μm, which is a target for rough layout. As a result, the display screen becomes difficult to see, and the operator is forced to switch the grid display pitch frequently, which lowers the design efficiency.

An object of the present invention is to improve the visibility of a grid display screen of a layout editor or the like, enhance the operability of an operator, and enhance the layout design efficiency of a semiconductor integrated circuit, a printed circuit board or the like by the layout editor or the like. is there.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0008]

The outline of the representative one of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows. That is, for example, on a display screen of a layout editor or the like used for layout design of a semiconductor integrated circuit or a printed circuit board, for example, a first grid having a relatively coarse pitch is displayed over the entire work area, and at the same time a second grid having a relatively fine pitch is displayed. Is partially and selectively displayed within a predetermined area having the cursor display position as a base point or within a predetermined area including the cursor display position and surrounded by a predetermined number of first grids. Further, the display position of the second grid is selectively fixed by a predetermined key operation so that it cannot be moved following the cursor.

[0009]

According to the above means, it is possible to specify a fine layout position by the second grid while using the first grid as a rough target for position determination, and reduce the number of times the operator needs to switch the grid display pitch. be able to. As a result, the visibility of the grid display screen of the layout editor or the like can be improved, the operability of the operator can be improved, and the layout design efficiency of the semiconductor integrated circuit and the printed circuit board by the layout editor or the like can be improved.

[0010]

1 shows a partial grid display screen view of a first embodiment of a layout editor adopting a grid display system to which the present invention is applied. According to the figure,
The outline and features of the grid display method of the layout editor of this embodiment will be described. The layout editor of this embodiment is used for layout design of semiconductor integrated circuits and printed circuit boards. In addition, all points on the display screen that the operator intends to specify in the following embodiment are coordinates [18, 10]. In the following grid display screen, the first grid G1 (first grid) and the second grid G2 (second grid) are displayed with small squares and dots, respectively, and the cursor CS is displayed with a cross. Further, on the upper side and the left side of each grid display screen, the distance from the coordinate [0,0] of the upper left corner as a base point is shown in μm. Further, patterns may be displayed on the display screen during or after being laid out, but these patterns are omitted.

In FIG. 1, the grid display screen DPY of the layout editor of this embodiment has 0.8 μm ×
The first grid G1 is displayed in a grid pattern over the entire work area at a relatively coarse pitch such as 0.8 μm. These second grids G2 are used for arranging, moving or copying a layout pattern performed in a relatively large unit such as a block or a macro cell, and specify a specific layout position such as an element or wiring. It is used as a rough target to do.

In this embodiment, the grid display screen D
Further, the second grid G2 is partially and selectively displayed on the PY at a pitch different from that of the first grid G1, that is, at a relatively fine pitch such as 0.2 μm × 0.2 μm. These second grids G2 form 5 × 5 partial grids with the cursor display position as a base point, that is, the center, and the display position moves following the cursor CS. The second grid G2 is selectively displayed by the operator performing a predetermined key operation in advance, and can be erased when it is unnecessary.

Coordinates [18, 1 on the grid display screen DPY
0], the operator must first
After performing a key operation for displaying the grid G1 at a pitch of 0.8 μm × 0.8 μm, a key operation for displaying the second grid G2 at a pitch of 0.2 μm × 0.2 μm is performed. Then, by operating the mouse, the coordinates [1
6, 8] with the first grid G1 of the cursor C as the target
After moving S, based on the relative positional relationship between the first grid G1 and the second grid G2 around the cursor,
The cursor CS is set to the target coordinate [18, 10] and a predetermined mouse button is clicked. As a result, the coordinate [18, 10] is newly designated as the layout position, and the predetermined design pattern is displayed on the display screen DPY.

As described above, the display screen DPY of the layout editor adopting the grid display method of this embodiment is
With a relatively coarse pitch such as 0.8 μm × 0.8 μm,
The first grid G1 which is a rough target for position designation is displayed in the entire work area as a base, so to speak, and at the same time, 0.
The second grid G2 used for specific layout position designation with a relatively fine pitch such as 2 μm × 0.2 μm
Is partially displayed in the predetermined area, and the operator can make a rough position determination based on the first grid G1 and without switching the grid display pitch midway. It becomes possible to perform detailed position designation by the 2 grid G2. As a result,
The visibility of the grid display screen of the layout editor or the like can be improved, the operability of the operator can be improved, and the layout design efficiency of the semiconductor integrated circuit and the printed circuit board by the layout editor can be improved.

FIG. 3 shows a partial grid display screen view of the second embodiment of the layout editor adopting the grid display system to which the present invention is applied. It should be noted that this embodiment basically follows the embodiment of FIG. 1 described above, and therefore description will be added only to portions different from this.

In FIG. 3, the grid display screen DPY of the layout editor of this embodiment has, for example, 0.8 μm.
The first grid G1 is displayed over the entire work area with a relatively coarse pitch such as 0.8 m × 0.8 μm, and the pitch is different from that of the first grid G1, that is, 0.
Second with a relatively fine pitch such as 2 μm × 0.2 μm
The grid G2 is displayed partially and selectively.

In this embodiment, the second grid G2
Forms a 5 × 5 partial grid in a predetermined area including the cursor display position and surrounded by a predetermined number, that is, four first grids G1. These second grid G2
When the cursor CS moves within the area, that is, within the 5 × 5 grid, the cursor CS does not move following it, and when the cursor CS moves beyond the area, a new unit is set with the pitch of the first grid G1 as a unit. Move to the grid area. Therefore,
In the case of this embodiment, the operator does not select the desired coordinates [18, 10] based on the relative positional relationship between the first grid G1 and the second grid G2 that moves following the cursor CS. , First grid G1 and cursor CS
It is possible to easily select the coordinate [18, 10] which is aimed at the second grid G2 that does not move in accordance with the above and is aimed at as an absolute target. As a result, the operability of the operator is further improved, and the layout design efficiency of the semiconductor integrated circuit and the printed circuit board by the layout editor is further improved.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show partial grid display screen diagrams of the third embodiment of the layout editor adopting the grid display system to which the present invention is applied. Since this embodiment basically follows the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 3, a description will be added to the different parts. Further, in the case of this embodiment, the display area of the second grid G2 initially moves following the cursor CS, and its display position is fixed by clicking a predetermined mouse button. Is the second grid G
2 is shown to be able to move following the cursor CS,
FIG. 5 shows a state after the display position of the second grid G2 is fixed.

In FIG. 4, the grid display screen DPY of the layout editor of this embodiment has, for example, 0.8 μm.
The first grid G1 is displayed over the entire work area at a relatively coarse pitch such as m × 0.8 μm, and at the same time, the pitch is different from the first grid G1, that is, 0.2 μ, for example.
The second grid G2 is partially and selectively displayed with a relatively fine pitch such as m × 0.2 μm.

In this embodiment, the second grid G2
Configures a 5 × 5 partial grid to display the cursor CS in its upper left corner, and its display position initially follows the cursor CS and moves. In addition, the operator moves the cursor CS along the first grid G1 to, for example, the coordinates [1
6, 8] and then clicking a predetermined mouse button, the display position of the second grid G2 can be fixed at the same position as in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the operator can easily select the coordinates [18, 10] aimed at the first grid G1 and the second grid G2 whose display position is fixed as an absolute target. Therefore, the operability of the operator is further improved, and the layout design efficiency of the semiconductor integrated circuit and the printed circuit board by the layout editor is further improved.

FIG. 6 shows a partial grid display screen view of the fourth embodiment of the layout editor adopting the grid display system to which the present invention is applied. Since this embodiment basically follows the embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3 to 5, only the parts different from this will be described.

In FIG. 6, the grid display screen DPY of the layout editor of this embodiment has, for example, 0.8 μm.
The first grid G1 is displayed over the entire work area at a pitch of m × 0.8 μm, and is coarser than the first grid G1, that is, at a pitch of, for example, 1.2 μm × 1.2 μm,
The second grid G2 is partially displayed. In this embodiment, the second grid G2 constitutes a 3 × 3 partial grid for displaying the cursor CS in the upper left corner thereof, and its display position is initially moved following the cursor CS and is set to a predetermined value. Fixed by clicking the mouse button of.

That is, the pitch of the second grid G2 partially displayed with the first grid G1 as a base can be displayed with a pitch larger than that of the first grid G1, as represented by this embodiment. Thus, the operator can deal with various layout pitches, which further enhances the operability.

The operation and effect obtained from the above-mentioned plurality of embodiments are as follows. That is, (1) For example, a first grid having a relatively coarse pitch is displayed over the entire work area on a display screen of a layout editor or the like used for layout design of a semiconductor integrated circuit or a printed circuit board, and at the same time, a first grid having a relatively fine pitch is displayed. Positioning the first grid by partially and selectively displaying the two grids within a predetermined area having the cursor display position as a base point or within a predetermined area including the cursor display position and surrounded by a predetermined number of first grids The effect that the fine layout position can be specified by the second grid can be obtained while making a rough aim of the determination. (2) According to the above item (1), it is possible to reduce the number of times the operator needs to switch the grid display pitch. (3) According to the above items (1) and (2), the visibility of the grid display screen of the layout editor or the like can be improved and the operability of the operator can be improved. Therefore, the semiconductor integrated circuit and the printed circuit board by the layout editor or the like can be improved. It is possible to obtain the effect that the layout design efficiency such as the above can be improved. (4) In the above items (1) to (3), the display position of the second grid is selectively fixed by a predetermined key operation so that the display position of the second grid cannot be moved following the cursor. And the layout design efficiency by the layout editor or the like can be further improved.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say. For example, in FIG. 1, the grid shape of the second grid G2 displayed on the display screen DPY and the positional relationship with the cursor CS can adopt various embodiments as illustrated in FIG. That is, the second grid G2 has the same structure as in FIG.
In addition to the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown in (a), FIG.
The grid can be configured to display the cursor CS in its upper left corner, as shown in FIG. 2, and the grid can be configured to display the cursor CS in its lower right corner, as shown in FIG. In addition, as shown in FIG.
The point on the display axis of the cursor CS may be deleted from the embodiment of (a), or the cursor CS and the display area may be separated from each other as shown in FIGS. 2 (e) and 2 (f). Good. It goes without saying that in these embodiments, the horizontal and vertical numbers of the second grid G2 forming the display area can be set arbitrarily.

1 to 6, the display screen DPY
The shapes and pitches of the first grid G1 and the second grid G2 in can be set arbitrarily. Also,
Particularly in the case of the embodiments of FIGS. 4 to 6, it is possible to display a plurality of grids including the second grid G2 at a plurality of locations for designating layout positions. Furthermore, the movement of the cursor CS does not assume that the mouse is used,
Any method can be used for the key operation for fixing the display position of the second grid G2.

In the above explanation, the case where the invention made by the present inventor is mainly applied to the layout editor provided for the layout design of the semiconductor integrated circuit or the printed circuit board which is the background field of application has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to, for example, a layout editor of other various devices, and various CAD for machine design, circuit design, and the like. The present invention can be widely applied to a CAD system having at least a grid display.

[0028]

The effects obtained by the typical ones of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows. That is, on a display screen of a layout editor or the like used for layout design of a semiconductor integrated circuit or a printed circuit board, for example, a first grid with a relatively coarse pitch is displayed over the entire work area, while a second grid with a relatively fine pitch is displayed. The image is partially and selectively displayed within a predetermined area having the cursor display position as a base point or within a predetermined area including the cursor display position and surrounded by a predetermined number of first grids. Further, the display position of the second grid is selectively fixed by a predetermined key operation so that it cannot be moved following the cursor. This makes it possible to specify a detailed layout position by the second grid while using the first grid as a rough target for position determination, and reduce the number of times the operator needs to switch the grid display pitch. As a result, the visibility of the grid display screen of the layout editor or the like can be improved, the operability of the operator can be improved, and the layout design efficiency of the semiconductor integrated circuit and the printed circuit board by the layout editor or the like can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial grid display screen diagram showing a first embodiment of a layout editor adopting a grid display system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a display pattern diagram showing another embodiment of the second grid used in the layout editor of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial grid display screen diagram showing a second embodiment of a layout editor adopting a grid display system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a partial grid display screen diagram during movement of the second grid showing the third embodiment of the layout editor adopting the grid display system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a partial grid display screen diagram after a second grid is fixed, showing a third embodiment of a layout editor adopting a grid display system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a partial grid display screen view showing a fourth embodiment of a layout editor adopting a grid display system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a partial grid display screen diagram showing an example of a layout editor adopting a conventional grid display method.

FIG. 8 is a partial grid display screen diagram showing another example of a layout editor adopting a conventional grid display method.

[Explanation of symbols]

DPY ... Display device, CS ... Cursor, G1 ...
-First grid, G2 ... second grid, G ... grid.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first grid is displayed at a predetermined pitch, and at the same time, a second grid is selectively displayed at a pitch different from that of the first grid and in a predetermined area near the cursor display position. And grid display method. 2. The grid display system according to claim 1, wherein the second grid is displayed within a predetermined area with a cursor display position as a base point. 3. The grid according to claim 1, wherein the second grid is displayed in a predetermined area including a cursor display position and surrounded by a predetermined number of the first grids. Display method. 4. The grid display method according to claim 1, wherein the display position of the second grid is selectively fixed by a predetermined key operation. . 5. The grid display method is provided for a layout editor for layout design of a semiconductor integrated circuit or a printed circuit board, claim 1, claim 2, claim 3 or claim 3. 4 grid display method.