Analog Layout Generation using Optimized Primitives

Hierarchical analog layout generators proceed from leaf cells ('primitives') to progressively larger blocks that are placed and routed. The quality of primitive cell layout is critical for design performance. This paper proposes a methodology that defines and optimizes the performance metrics of primitives during leaf cell layout. It incorporates layout parasitics and layout-dependent effects, providing a set of optimized layout choices for use by the place-and-route engine, as well as wire sizing guidelines for connections outside the cell. For FinFET-based designs of a high-frequency amplifier, a StrongARM comparator, and a fully differential VCO, our approach outperforms existing methods and is competitive with time-intensive manual layout.