A method for capacitance extraction includes: performing a first capacitance extraction on one or more first regions of a semiconductor layout; performing a second capacitance extraction on one or more second regions of the semiconductor layout, a resolution of the second capacitance extraction being less than a resolution of the first capacitance extraction; constructing a netlist for the semiconductor layout based on results of the first capacitance extraction and of the second capacitance extraction; and modifying the semiconductor layout based on the netlist. The modified semiconductor layout is used to fabricate an integrated circuit.

A method for capacitance extraction includes: performing a first capacitance extraction on one or more first regions of a semiconductor layout; performing a second capacitance extraction on one or more second regions of the semiconductor layout, a resolution of the second capacitance extraction being less than a resolution of the first capacitance extraction; constructing a netlist for the semiconductor layout based on results of the first capacitance extraction and of the second capacitance extraction; and modifying the semiconductor layout based on the netlist. The modified semiconductor layout is used to fabricate an integrated circuit.

An integrated circuit simulation method is performed by a processor and includes: obtaining a register transfer level (RTL) waveform set obtained by performing an RTL simulation based on a circuit, where the circuit is generated in an RTL design stage and includes a register having an internal net and a data output port, and the RTL waveform set includes a first waveform corresponding to the data output port of the register; obtaining a netlist and delay information obtained by performing a logic synthesis based on the circuit, where the netlist includes a first node and a second node, the first node corresponds to the internal net of the register, and the second node corresponds to the data output port of the register; applying the first waveform to the first node; and triggering the register according to the delay information to obtain a second waveform at the second node.

An integrated circuit simulation method is performed by a processor and includes: obtaining a register transfer level (RTL) waveform set obtained by performing an RTL simulation based on a circuit, where the circuit is generated in an RTL design stage and includes a register having an internal net and a data output port, and the RTL waveform set includes a first waveform corresponding to the data output port of the register; obtaining a netlist and delay information obtained by performing a logic synthesis based on the circuit, where the netlist includes a first node and a second node, the first node corresponds to the internal net of the register, and the second node corresponds to the data output port of the register; applying the first waveform to the first node; and triggering the register according to the delay information to obtain a second waveform at the second node.

The disclosure provides using test processors to provide a more flexible solution compared to the existing DFX blocks that are used for controlling test networks in chips. The test processors provide a highly flexible solution since programming of the test processors can be changed at any time; even after manufacturing, and can support practically an unlimited number of core chips in any configuration. The high flexibility provided via the test processors can reduce engineering effort needed in design and verification, accelerate schedules, and may prevent additional tapeouts in case of DFX design bugs. By making debug and diagnosis easier by providing an opportunity to change debug behavior as needed, the time-to-market timeline can be accelerated. Accordingly, the disclosure provides a chip with a test processor, a multi-chip processing system with a test processor, and a method of designing a chip having a test processor.

The disclosure provides using test processors to provide a more flexible solution compared to the existing DFX blocks that are used for controlling test networks in chips. The test processors provide a highly flexible solution since programming of the test processors can be changed at any time; even after manufacturing, and can support practically an unlimited number of core chips in any configuration. The high flexibility provided via the test processors can reduce engineering effort needed in design and verification, accelerate schedules, and may prevent additional tapeouts in case of DFX design bugs. By making debug and diagnosis easier by providing an opportunity to change debug behavior as needed, the time-to-market timeline can be accelerated. Accordingly, the disclosure provides a chip with a test processor, a multi-chip processing system with a test processor, and a method of designing a chip having a test processor.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatus, and computer program products for generating an insertion netlist for a target circuit configured for inserting a malicious design alteration into the circuit based on a design identifying reference trigger nets. Features are extracted for each net identified in a netlist for the circuit. A set of reference trigger features is generated for each of the reference trigger nets. A net is selected from the netlist for each set of reference trigger features based on a similarity between the features of the net and the set of reference trigger features. The insertion netlist is generated that includes the circuit with the malicious design alteration inserted at each of the selected nets.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatus, and computer program products for generating an insertion netlist for a target circuit configured for inserting a malicious design alteration into the circuit based on a design identifying reference trigger nets. Features are extracted for each net identified in a netlist for the circuit. A set of reference trigger features is generated for each of the reference trigger nets. A net is selected from the netlist for each set of reference trigger features based on a similarity between the features of the net and the set of reference trigger features. The insertion netlist is generated that includes the circuit with the malicious design alteration inserted at each of the selected nets.

The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for testing a semiconductor device. The method includes providing an active area in an integrated circuit design layout; grouping the active area into a first region and a second region; calculating a first self-heating temperature of the first region of the active area; calculating a second self-heating temperature of the second region of the active area; and determining an Electromigration (EM) evaluation based on the first self-heating temperature and the second self-heating temperature.

The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for testing a semiconductor device. The method includes providing an active area in an integrated circuit design layout; grouping the active area into a first region and a second region; calculating a first self-heating temperature of the first region of the active area; calculating a second self-heating temperature of the second region of the active area; and determining an Electromigration (EM) evaluation based on the first self-heating temperature and the second self-heating temperature.