Design and optimization of integrated circuits are essential to the creation of new semiconductor chips, and physical optimizations are becoming more prominent as a result of semiconductor scaling. Modern chip design has become so complex that it is largely performed by specialized software, which is frequently updated to address advances in semiconductor technologies and increased problem complexities. A user of such software needs a high-level understanding of the underlying mathematical models and algorithms. On the other hand, a developer of such software must have a keen understanding of computer science aspects, including algorithmic performance bottlenecks and how various algorithms operate and interact. "VLSI Physical Design: From Graph Partitioning to Timing Closure" introduces and compares algorithms that are used during the physical design phase of integrated-circuit design, wherein a geometric chip layout is produced starting from an abstract circuit design. The emphasis is on essential and fundamental techniques, ranging from hypergraph partitioning and circuit placement to timing closure.

The complexity of modern chip design requires extensive use of specialized software throughout the process. To achieve the best results, a user of this software needs a high-level understanding of the underlying mathematical models and algorithms. In addition, a developer of such software must have a keen understanding of relevant computer science aspects, including algorithmic performance bottlenecks and how various algorithms operate and interact. This book introduces and compares the fundamental algorithms that are used during the IC physical design phase, wherein a geometric chip layout is produced starting from an abstract circuit design. This updated second edition includes recent advancements in the state-of-the-art of physical design, and builds upon foundational coverage of essential and fundamental techniques. Numerous examples and tasks with solutions increase the clarity of presentation and facilitate deeper understanding. A comprehensive set of slides is available on the Internet for each chapter, simplifying use of the book in instructional settings. “This improved, second edition of the book will continue to serve the EDA and design community well. It is a foundational text and reference for the next generation of professionals who will be called on to continue the advancement of our chip design tools and design the most advanced micro-electronics.” Dr. Leon Stok, Vice President, Electronic Design Automation, IBM Systems Group “This is the book I wish I had when I taught EDA in the past, and the one I’m using from now on.” Dr. Louis K. Scheffer, Howard Hughes Medical Institute “I would happily use this book when teaching Physical Design. I know of no other work that’s as comprehensive and up-to-date, with algorithmic focus and clear pseudocode for the key algorithms. The book is beautifully designed!” Prof. John P. Hayes, University of Michigan “The entire field of electronic design automation owes the authors a great debt for providing a single coherent source on physical design that is clear and tutorial in nature, while providing details on key state-of-the-art topics such as timing closure.” Prof. Kurt Keutzer, University of California, Berkeley “An excellent balance of the basics and more advanced concepts, presented by top experts in the field.” Prof. Sachin Sapatnekar, University of Minnesota

Practical Problems in VLSI Physical Design Automation contains problems and solutions related to various well-known algorithms used in VLSI physical design automation. Dr. Lim believes that the best way to learn new algorithms is to walk through a small example by hand. This knowledge will greatly help understand, analyze, and improve some of the well-known algorithms. The author has designed and taught a graduate-level course on physical CAD for VLSI at Georgia Tech. Over the years he has written his homework with such a focus and has maintained typeset version of the solutions.

&Quot;VLSI Physical Design Automation: Theory and Practice is an essential introduction for senior undergraduates, postgraduates and anyone starting work in the field of CAD for VLSI. It covers all aspects of physical design, together with such related areas as automatic cell generation, silicon compilation, layout editors and compaction. A problem-solving approach is adopted and each solution is illustrated with examples. Each topic is treated in a standard format: Problem Definition, Cost Functions and Constraints, Possible Approaches and Latest Developments."--BOOK JACKET.

Algorithm Engineering is a methodology for algorithmic research that combines theory with implementation and experimentation in order to obtain better algorithms with high practical impact. Traditionally, the study of algorithms was dominated by mathematical (worst-case) analysis. In Algorithm Engineering, algorithms are also implemented and experiments conducted in a systematic way, sometimes resembling the experimentation processes known from fields such as biology, chemistry, or physics. This helps in counteracting an otherwise growing gap between theory and practice.

This book serves as a hands-on guide to timing constraints in integrated circuit design. Readers will learn to maximize performance of their IC designs, by specifying timing requirements correctly. Coverage includes key aspects of the design flow impacted by timing constraints, including synthesis, static timing analysis and placement and routing. Concepts needed for specifying timing requirements are explained in detail and then applied to specific stages in the design flow, all within the context of Synopsys Design Constraints (SDC), the industry-leading format for specifying constraints.

This practical, tool-independent guide to designing digital circuits takes a unique, top-down approach, reflecting the nature of the design process in industry. Starting with architecture design, the book comprehensively explains the why and how of digital circuit design, using the physics designers need to know, and no more.