1. Specific dielectric constant calibration method for an electromagnetic prober, which comprises a transmission antenna for radiating electromagnetic radiation, a reception antenna for receiving echoes of the radiated electromagnetic radiation, a reception unit for generating a reception signal on the basis of a detection signal of the reception antenna and a signal processing section for processing the reception signal to output an analytic signal, the signal processing section having a cycle adjusting section for converting the reception signal into an analytic signal having a different signal cycle period through frequency conversion, the cycle adjusting section having setting means for setting a frequency conversion constant, the method comprising the step of:
adjusting the setting means so that the cycle period of the analytic signal when the electromagnetic radiation is radiated from the transmission antenna in the air is matched with a reference period predetermined according to a reference specific dielectric constant.
2. Specific dielectric constant calibration method for an electromagnetic prober as set forth in claim 1, the signal processing section generating and outputting the analytic signal having the predefined relationship between the cycle period and the specific dielectric constant on the basis of the reception signal having cycle periods varying according to specific dielectric constants in the medium.
3. Specific dielectric constant calibration method for an electromagnetic prober as set forth in claim 1, the method further comprising the steps of:
radiating electromagnetic radiation from the transmission antenna toward a reference dielectric material having a predefined specific dielectric constant and a predefined calibration distance,
adjusting the setting means so that a time lag between an echo reflected on the surface of the reference dielectric material and an echo reflected at the calibration distance in the analytic signal is matched with a time required for the electromagnetic radiation to travel the calibration distance in the reference dielectric material, and
then determining the cycle period of the analytic signal obtained by the in-air radiation from the transmission antenna as the reference period.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is claimed is:
1. A wiring method for use in an automatic layout and wiring system which automatically performs laying out and wiring of electronic components in a grid having a plurality of grid lines set at a predetermined wiring pitch, said method comprising:
detecting whether a wiring space, between a wiring layer pattern of a via cell and a wiring layer pattern along a grid line which is parallel and adjacent to a grid line of the via cell, is equal to or larger than a short-run wiring space, and creating, when detected that the wiring space is equal to or larger than the short-run wiring space, via cell data including a via margin which is set in such a way that a wiring space between the parallel grid lines of the via cell is equal to or larger than a wiring minimum space (which is long), the via cell being registered in a library and including a via with a square shape, an upper wiring layer and a lower wiring layer both covering the via and extending by the via margin in all directions; and
performing laying out and wiring of the electronic components using the via cell data, and replacing the via cell data with art-work data corresponding to the via cell.
2. A wiring method for use in an automatic layout and wiring system which automatically perform layout and wiring of electronic components in a grid having a plurality of grid lines set at a predetermined wiring pitch, said method comprising:
detecting whether a wiring space, between portions of wiring along grid lines respectively having via cells which are parallel and adjacent to each other, is equal to or larger than a short-run wiring space, and creating, when detected that the wiring space is equal to or larger than the short-run wiring space, via cell data including a via margin which is changed based on the via cells in such a way that the wiring space is equal to or larger than a wiring minimum space (long), each of the via cells being registered in a library and including a via with a square shape, an upper wiring layer and a lower wiring layer both covering the via and extending by the via margin in all directions; and
performing layout and wiring of the electronic components using the via cell data, and replacing the via cell data with art-work data corresponding to the via cell.
3. The wiring method according to claim 2, wherein a library reading process, for reading circuitry diagram information and information including a design rule, a cellblock library prior to performing the layout and wiring of the electronic components, includes a short-run adapting process: for
detecting whether the wiring space between the portions of wiring along the grid lines respectively having the via cells which are parallel and adjacent to each other, is equal to or larger than the short-run wiring space, and creating, when detected that the wiring space is equal to or larger than the short-run wiring space, the via cell data including the via margin which is changed based on the via cells in such a way that the wiring space is equal to or larger than the wiring minimum space.
4. The wiring method according to claim 3, wherein the short-run rule adapting process includes the step of:
reading information including a limit value of a predetermined wiring-facing length suitable for a short-run rule and the short-run wiring space;
determining that the short-run rule can be adapted, when the wiring space between the portions of wiring is equal to or larger than the short-run wiring space, and setting a via-margin changing flag indicating change; and
creating via cell data including a via margin which is changed based on the via cells in such a way that the wiring space of the portions of wiring is equal to or larger than the wiring minimum space, when the via-margin changing flag is set indicating change.
5. A wiring method for use in an automatic layout and wiring system which automatically performs layout and wiring of electronic components in a grid having grid lines set at a predetermined wiring pitch, said method comprising:
detecting whether a wiring space, between a via cell and a portion of wiring which is arranged along a grid line parallel and adjacent to a grid of the via cell, is smaller than a wiring minimum space (long) and equal to or larger than a short-run wiring space, and creating, when detected that the wiring space is smaller than the wiring minimum space, via cell data including the via margin which is changed in such a way that the wiring space therebetween is equal to or larger than the wiring minimum space; and
performing layout and wiring of the electronic components with the via cell data, and replacing the via cell data with art-work data corresponding to the via cell.
6. The wiring method according to claim 5, wherein a library reading process, for reading circuitry diagram information and information including a design rule and a cellblock library prior to performing layout and wiring of the electric components, a short-run rule adapting process for:
detecting whether the wiring space between the via cell and the portion of wiring is smaller than the wiring minimum space and equal to or larger than the short-run wiring space; and
creating via cell data including the changed via margin.
7. The wiring method according to claim 6, wherein the short-run rule adapting process including the step of:
reading information including a limit value of a predetermined wiring-facing length suitable for a short-run rule and the short-run wiring space;
detecting whether the short-ran rule can be adapted when the wiring space between the via cell and the portion of wiring is smaller than the wiring minimum space and equal to or larger than the short-run wiring space, and setting, when detected that the short-run rule can be adapted; a via-margin changing flag indicating change; and
creating the via cell data including the changed via margin when the via-margin changing flag is set indicating change.
8. The wiring method according to claim 4, wherein said reading includes:
a first sub-step of determining whether the short-run rule is to be adapted during the layout and wiring of the electronic components;
a second sub-step of reading the short-run wiring space which is set according to the short-run rule, when determined to adapt the short-run in the first sub-step;
a third sub-step of reading the limit value of the predetermined wiring-facing length according to the short-run rule;
a fourth sub-step of calculating a via-cell width by adding two times the via margin to a side length of the via;
a fifth sub-step of determining whether the calculated via-cell width is equal to or smaller than the limit value of the predetermined wiring-facing length, and advancing to the step of determining whether to adapt the short-run rule when determined that the via-cell width is equal to or smaller than the limit value; and
a fifth sub-step of setting the via-margin changing flag indicating no change when determined that the short-run rule is not to be adapted in said first sub-step or when determined that the via-cell width is not equal to or smaller than the limit value in the fifth sub-step, and advancing to the step of creating.
9. The wiring method according to claim 4, wherein said determining that the short-run rule can be adapted includes:
a first sub-step of calculating a via-cell width by adding two times the via margin to a side length of the via;
a second sub-step of determining whether the calculated via-cell width is larger than a standard wiring width for signal wiring according to a design rule;
a third sub-step of obtaining a logical minimum space by subtracting the via-cell width from a wiring pitch in accordance with the design rule, when determined that the via-cell width is larger than the standard level for signal wiring;
a fourth sub-step of determining whether the logical minimum space is equal to or larger than the short-run wiring space;
a fifth sub-step of setting the via-margin changing flag indicating change when determined that the logical minimum space is equal to or larger than the short-run wiring space in said fourth sub-step, and advancing to the step of creating the via cell data; and
a sixth sub-step of setting the via-margin changing flag indicating no change, when determined that the via-cell width is not larger than the standard level in said second sub-step or when the logical minimum space is not equal to or smaller than the short-run wiring space in said fourth sub-step, and advancing to said step of creating the via cell data.
10. The wiring method according to claim 4, wherein said creating includes:
a first sub-step of determining whether the via-margin changing flag is set indicating change;
a second sub-step of obtaining a virtual margin by performing a calculation, wherein the via-cell width which is obtained by adding two time the via margin to a side length of the via is subtracted from a wiring pitch according to a design rule so as to obtain a logical minimum space, the wiring minimum space is subtracted from the obtained logical minimum space so as to obtain a value, the value is divided by two, and a quotient of the division is added to the via margin, when determined that the via-margin changing flag is set indicating change;
a third sub-step of changing the via margin into the virtual margin; and
a fourth step of setting, when determined that the via-margin changing flag is set not set indicating change in said first sub-step or after completion of said third sub-step, a wiring margin for use in automatic layout and wiring of the electronic components, and creating via cell data.
11. The wiring method according to claim 7, wherein said determining includes:
a first sub-step of obtaining a via-cell width by adding two time the via margin to a side length of the via;
a second sub-step of determining whether the obtained via-cell width is larger than a standard wiring width suitable for signal wiring;
a third sub-step of obtaining a logical minimum space by performing a calculation, wherein the standard wiring width is added to the via-cell width so as to obtain a value, the value is divided by two, a quotient of the division is subtracted from a wiring pitch in accordance with a design rule, when determined that the via-cell width is larger than the standard wiring width in said second sub-step;
a fourth sub-step of determining whether the logical minimum space is in a range between the short-run wiring space and than the wiring minimum space;
a fifth sub-step of setting the via-margin changing flag indicating change when determined that the logical minimum space is in the range in said fourth sub-step, and advancing to said creating; and
a sixth sub-step of setting the via-margin changing flag indicating no change, when determined the via-cell width is not larger than the standard wiring width in said second sub-step or when determined that the logical minimum space is not in the range in said fourth sub-step, and advancing to said creating.
12. The wiring method according to claim 7, wherein said creating includes:
a first sub-step of determining whether the via-margin changing flag is set indicating change;
a second sub-step of obtaining a virtual margin by performing a calculation, wherein the via-cell width which is obtained by adding two time the via margin to a side length of the via is added to a standard wiring width in accordance with a design rule so as to obtain a value, the value is divided by two, a quotient is subtracted from a wiring pitch according to a design rule so as to obtain a logical minimum space, the wiring minimum space is added to the via margin, the wiring minimum space is subtracted from a result of the addition when determined that the via-margin changing flag is set indicating change;
a third sub-step of changing the via margin into the obtained virtual margin; and
a fourth sub-step of setting, when determined that the via-margin changing flag is not set indicating change in said first sub-step or after completion of said third sub-step, a wiring margin for use in automatic layout and wiring of electronic components, and creating via cell data.
13. A computer readable recording medium which records a wiring method for use in an automatic layout and wiring system, said medium recording:
a first program for reading information including a limit value of a predetermined wiring-facing length suitable for a short-run rule and an allowable short-run wiring space;
a second program for determining whether the short-run rule can be adapted when detected that a wiring space, between portions of wiring along grid lines of via cells which are parallel and adjacent to each other, is equal to or larger than the short-run wiring space, and setting, when determined that the short-run rule can be adapted, a via-margin changing flag indicating change;
a third program for creating via cell data including a via margin which is so changed that the wiring space is equal to or larger than a wiring minimum space based on the via cells, when determined that the via-margin changing flag is set indicating change by said second program;
a fourth program for performing wiring of arrayed blocks and cells using the via cell data;
a fifth program for replacing the via cell data into art-work data corresponding to the via cells, after completion of the wiring.
14. The recording medium according to claim 13, wherein said first program includes:
a first step of determining whether to adapt the short-run rule while performing the wiring;
a second step of reading the short-run wiring space in accordance with the short-run rule, when determined that the short-run rule is to be adapted;
a third step of reading the limit value of the wiring-facing length according to the short-run rule;
a fourth step of obtaining a via-cell width by adding two times the via margin to a side length of a via;
a fifth step of determining whether the via-cell width is equal to or smaller than the limit value, and advancing to said second program when determined that the via-cell width is equal to or smaller than the limit value;
a sixth step of setting the via-margin changing flag indicating no change, and advancing to said third program, when determined that the short-run rule is to be adapted in said first step or when determined that the via-cell width is not equal to or smaller than the limit value;
said second program including:
a seventh step of determining whether the via-cell width is larger than a standard wiring width suitable for signal wiring;
a eighth step of obtaining a logical minimum space by subtracting the via-cell width from a wiring space in accordance with a design rule when determined that the via-cell width is larger than the standard wiring width in said seventh step;
a ninth step of determining whether the logical minimum space is equal to or larger than the short-run wiring space;
a tenth step of setting the via-margin changing flag indicating change when determined that the logical minimum space is equal to or larger than the short-run wiring space, and advancing to said third program;
an eleventh step of setting the via-margin changing flag indicating no change when determined that the via-cell width is not larger than the standard wiring width in said seventh step or when the logical minimum space is not equal to or smaller than the short-run wiring space in said ninth step, and advancing to said third program, and
said third program including:
a twelfth step of determining whether the via-margin changing flag is set indicating change;
a thirteenth step of obtaining a virtual margin by performing a calculation, wherein the wiring minimum space according to the design rule is subtracted from the logical minimum space so as to obtain a value, the value is divided by two, and a quotient of the division is added to the via margin, when determined that the via-margin changing flag is set indicating change in said twelfth step;
a fourteenth step of changing the via margin into the obtained virtual margin; and
a fifteenth step of setting, when determined that the via-margin changing flag is not set indicating change in said twelfth step or after completion of said fourteenth step, a wiring margin while performing the wiring, and creating via cell data.
15. A computer readable recording medium which records a wiring method for use in an automatic layout and wiring system, said medium recording:
a first program for reading information including a limit value of a predetermined wiring-facing length suitable for a short-run rule and an allowable short-run wiring space;
a second program for determining that the short-run rule can be adapted, when a wiring space between a via cell and a portion of wiring along a grid line which is parallel and adjacent to the via cell is smaller than a wiring minimum space (long) and equal to or larger than the short-run wiring space, and setting a via-margin changing flag indicating change;
a third program for creating via cell data including a via margin, which is so changed that the wiring space between the via cell and the portion of wiring is equal to or larger than the wiring minimum space, based on the via cell, when determined that the via-margin changing flag is set indicating change by said second program;
a fourth program for performing wiring of laid out blocks and cells using the created via cell data; and
a fifth program for replacing the via cell data with art-work data corresponding to the via cell after completion of the wiring.
16. The computer readable recording medium according to claim 15, wherein said first program includes:
a first step of determining whether to adapt the short-run rule while performing the wiring of the laid out blocks and cells;
a second step of reading the short-run wiring space according to the short-run rule, when determined that the short-run rule is to be adapted;
a third step of reading the limit value of the wiring-facing length in accordance with the short-run rule;
a fourth step of obtaining a via-cell width by adding two times the via margin to a side length of the via;
a fifth step of determining whether the via-cell width is equal to or smaller than the limit value, and advancing to said second program when determined that the via-cell width is equal to or smaller than the limit value;
a sixth step of setting the via-margin changing flag indicating no change, when determined that the short-run rule is not to be adapted or when determined that the via-cell width is not equal to or smaller than the limit value, and advancing to said third program, and
said second program including:
a seventh step of determining whether the via-cell width is larger than a standard wiring width which is for signal wiring in accordance with a design rule;
an eighth step of obtaining a logical minimum space by performing a calculation, wherein the standard wiring width is added to the via-cell width so as to obtain a value, the value is divided by two, a quotient of the division is subtracted from a wiring pitch according to the design rule, when determined that the via-cell width is larger than the standard wiring width;
a ninth step of determining whether the logical minimum space is in a range between the short-run wiring space and the wiring minimum space;
a tenth step of setting the via-margin changing flag indicating change, when determined that the logical minimum space is in the range, and advancing to said third program; and
an eleventh step of setting the via-margin changing flag no change, when determined that the via-cell width is not larger than the standard wiring width in said seventh step or when determined that the logical minimum space is in the range in said ninth step, and advancing to said third program, and
said third program including:
a twelfth step of determining whether the via-margin changing flag is set indicating change;
a thirteenth step of obtaining a virtual margin by performing a calculation, wherein the via margin is added to the logical minimum space so as to obtain a value, the wiring minimum space is subtracted from the obtained value, when determined that the via margin changing flag is set indicating change in said twelfth step;
a fourteenth step of changing the via margin into the virtual margin; and
a fifteenth step of setting, when determined that the via-margin changing flag is not set indicating change in said twelfth step or after completion of said fourteenth step, a wiring margin during the wiring of the laid out blocks and cells, and creating via cell data.
17. A layout and wiring system which automatically performs laying out and wiring of electronic components, comprising:
a detector which detects whether a space between a wiring pattern having a via cell and an adjacent wiring pattern is equal to or larger than a predetermined short-run wiring space;
a creator which creates, when detected that the space therebetween is equal to or larger than the predetermined short-run wiring space, via cell data including a via margin in such a way that a space between the via cell including the via margin and adjacent wiring is equal to or larger than a wiring minimum space; and
a drawer which performs laying out and wiring of the electronic components using the via cell data.
18. A system which automatically performs laying out and wiring of electronic components, comprising:
a detector which detects whether a space, between portions of wiring having via cells which are parallel and adjacent to each other, is equal to or larger than a short-run wiring space;
a creator which creates, when detected that the space therebetween is equal to or larger than the short-run wiring space, via cell data including a via margin which is changed based on the via cells in such a way that the wiring space is equal to or larger than a wiring minimum space; and
a controller which performs laying out and wiring of the electronic components using the via cell data.
19. An automatic layout and wiring system which automatically performs laying out and wiring of the electronic components in an grid having grid lines set at a predetermined wiring pitch, said system comprising:
a detector which detects that a space, between a via cell and a portion of wiring which is arranged along a grid line parallel and adjacent to a grid line of the via cell, is smaller than a wiring minimum space and equal to or larger than a short-run wiring space;
a creator which creates, when detected that the space therebetween is smaller than the wiring minimum space, via cell data including the via margin which is changed in such a way that the wiring space therebetween is equal to or larger than the wiring minimum space; and
a controller which performs laying out and wiring of the electronic components with the via cell data, and replaces the via cell data with art-work data corresponding to the via cell.
20. A method of automatically performing laying out and wiring of electronic components, comprising:
detecting whether a space between a wiring pattern having a via cell and an adjacent wiring pattern is equal to or larger than a predetermined short-run wiring space, and creating, when detected that the space therebetween is equal to or larger than the predetermined short-run wiring space, via cell data including a via margin in such a way that a spaced between the via cell including the via margin and adjacent wiring is equal to or larger than a wiring minimum space; and
performing laying out and wiring of the electronic components using the via cell data.
21. A method of automatically performing laying out and wiring of electronic components, comprising:
detecting whether a space, between portions of wiring having via cells which are parallel and adjacent to each other, is equal to or larger than a short-run wiring space, and creating, when detected that the space therebetween is equal to or larger than the short-run wiring space, via cell data including a via margin which is changed based on the via cells in such a way that the wiring space is equal to or larger than a wiring minimum space; and
performing laying and out wiring of the electronic components using the via cell data.
22. A method of automatically performing laying out and wiring of electronic components in a grid having grid lines set at a predetermined wiring pitch, comprising:
detecting whether a space, between a via cell and a portion of wiring which is arranged along a grid line parallel and adjacent to a grid line of the via cell, is smaller than a wiring minimum space and equal to or larger than a short-run wiring space, and creating via cell data including the via margin which is changed in such a way that the wiring space therebetween is equal to or larger than the wiring minimum space; and
performing laying out and wiring of the electronic components with the via cell data, and replacing the via cell data with art-work data corresponding to the via cell.