INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE WITH IMPROVED LAYOUT

Abstract

An IC device includes cells at cell locations, each cell including a device layer including gates spaced in a first direction according to a gate pitch, first metal lines in a first overlying metal layer, second metal lines in a second overlying metal layer and spaced in the first direction according to a metal line pitch, and a pin including a first metal line coupled to the device layer and a second metal line. A metal line/gate pitch ratio is less than 1, first and second cells correspond to a same IC component and have a same width between lateral edges, the first cell includes the first pin metal line a first distance from a first lateral edge, and the second cell includes the second pin metal line a second distance from the first lateral edge that differs from the first distance by a fraction of the metal line pitch.

Claims

1. An integrated circuit (IC) device, comprising: a plurality of cells at respective cell locations, each cell of the plurality of cells comprising: a device layer comprising a plurality of gates spaced in a first direction in accordance with a gate pitch; a first plurality of metal lines in a first metal layer overlying the device layer; a second plurality of metal lines in a second metal layer overlying the first metal layer and spaced in the first direction in accordance with a metal line pitch; and a connection pin comprising a first metal line of the first plurality of metal lines coupled to the device layer and to a first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines, wherein a ratio of the metal line pitch to the gate pitch is less than 1, first and second cells of the plurality of cells correspond to a same IC component and have a same cell width between first and second lateral edges in the first direction, the first cell of the plurality of cells comprises the first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines of the corresponding connection pin a first distance from the first lateral edge, the second cell of the plurality of cells comprises the first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines of the corresponding connection pin a second distance from the first lateral edge, and the first and second distances differ by a fraction of the metal line pitch.

2. The IC device of claim 1, wherein the same cell width of the first and second cells of the plurality of cells is equal to the gate pitch multiplied by a total number of gates of the plurality of gates in each of the first and second cells of the plurality of cells.

3. The IC device of claim 1, wherein the connection pin of each of the first and second cells of the plurality of cells comprises an input pin electrically connected through a via to a gate of the plurality of gates of the corresponding first or second cell of the plurality of cells.

4. The IC device of claim 1, wherein the first and second cells of the plurality of cells comprise the device layer having a same device layer layout.

5. The IC device of claim 4, wherein the first and second cells of the plurality of cells further comprise the first plurality of metal lines in the first metal layer having a same metal line layout.

6. The IC device of claim 1, wherein a second metal line of the second plurality of metal lines comprises a power strap, and a second metal line of the first plurality of metal lines is electrically connected to the power strap through a via.

7. The IC device of claim 1, wherein the fraction of the metal line pitch is a first fraction of the metal line pitch, a third cell of the plurality of cells corresponds to the same IC component, has the same cell width between first and second lateral edges in the first direction, and comprises the first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines of the corresponding connection pin a third distance from the first lateral edge, and the first and third distances differ by a second fraction of the metal line pitch different from the first fraction of the metal line pitch.

8. The IC device of claim 1, wherein the first and second cells of the plurality of cells correspond to the same IC component comprising a logic device.

9. The IC device of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second cells of the plurality of cells comprises a plurality of connection pins comprising the connection pin.

10. An integrated circuit (IC) device, comprising: a plurality of cells at respective cell locations, each cell of the plurality of cells comprising: a device layer comprising a plurality of gates spaced in a first direction in accordance with a gate pitch; a first plurality of metal lines in a first metal layer overlying the device layer; a second plurality of metal lines in a second metal layer overlying the first metal layer and spaced in the first direction in accordance with a metal line pitch; and a connection pin comprising a first metal line of the first plurality of metal lines coupled to the device layer and to a first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines, wherein a ratio of the metal line pitch to the gate pitch is less than 1 and is represented as X:Y, where X and Y are integer values, first and second cells of the plurality of cells correspond to a same IC component and have a same cell width between first and second lateral edges in the first direction, the first cell of the plurality of cells comprises the first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines of the corresponding connection pin a first distance from the first lateral edge, the second cell of the plurality of cells comprises the first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines of the corresponding connection pin a second distance from the first lateral edge, and the first and second distances differ by a fraction of the metal line pitch equal to 1/X.

11. The IC device of claim 10, wherein X is equal to 2, and Y is equal to 3.

12. The IC device of claim 10, wherein X is equal to 3, and Y is equal to 5.

13. The IC device of claim 10, wherein the first and second cells of the plurality of cells comprise the device layer and the first plurality of metal lines in the first metal layer having a same layout.

14. The IC device of claim 10, wherein a second metal line of the second plurality of metal lines comprises a power line, and a second metal line of the first plurality of metal lines is electrically connected to the power line through a via.

15. The IC device of claim 10, wherein the fraction of the metal line pitch equal to 1/X is a first fraction of the metal line pitch, a third cell of the plurality of cells corresponds to the same IC component, has the same cell width between first and second lateral edges in the first direction, and comprises the first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines of the corresponding connection pin a third distance from the first lateral edge, and the first and third distances differ by a second fraction of the metal line pitch equal to 2/X.

16. An integrated circuit (IC) device, comprising: a plurality of cells at respective cell locations, each cell of the plurality of cells comprising: a device layer comprising a plurality of gates spaced in a first direction in accordance with a gate pitch; a first plurality of metal lines in a first metal layer overlying the device layer; a second plurality of metal lines in a second metal layer overlying the first metal layer and spaced in the first direction in accordance with a metal line pitch; an input pin comprising a first metal line of the first plurality of metal lines coupled through a via to a first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines; and a contact electrically connected to the first metal line of the first plurality of metal lines and to a gate of the plurality of gates, wherein a ratio of the metal line pitch to the gate pitch is less than 1, first and second cells of the plurality of cells correspond to a same IC component and have a same cell width between first and second lateral edges in the first direction, the first cell of the plurality of cells comprises the first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines of the corresponding input pin a first distance from the first lateral edge, the second cell of the plurality of cells comprises the first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines of the corresponding input pin a second distance from the first lateral edge, and the first and second distances differ by a fraction of the metal line pitch.

17. The IC device of claim 16, wherein the first metal line of the first plurality of metal lines of the input pin of each of the first and second cells of the plurality of cells extends in the first direction between the via and the contact.

18. The IC device of claim 16, wherein the first metal lines of the first pluralities of metal lines of the input pins of the first and second cells of the plurality of cells have a same metal line layout.

19. The IC device of claim 16, wherein a second metal line of the second plurality of metal lines comprises a power line, and the first plurality of metal lines comprises a second metal line electrically connected to the power line.

20. The IC device of claim 16, wherein each of the first and second cells of the plurality of cells further comprises an output pin comprising a second metal line of the first plurality of metal lines coupled through another via to a second metal line of the second plurality of metal lines.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that various features are not necessarily drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a layout view of the M1 and M0 layers of device cell for an integrated circuit device, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0005] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a device cell where the M1 line pitch to polysilicon line pitch is set at a 2:3 ratio, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates features of a cell layout used in designing a VIA0 enclosure for pin access optimization, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0007] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate cells located at multiple cell sites in an integrated circuit design, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates alternative positions for a M1 line for different cell layouts of the same device cell, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 6 illustrates the use of different cell layouts of the same device cell, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 7 illustrates the different positions of a M1 line in different cell layouts of the same device cell, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit device, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a computer system, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The following disclosure describes various exemplary embodiments for implementing different features of the subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

[0014] Further, spatially relative terms, such as beneath, below, lower, above, upper and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

[0015] The present disclosure provides various embodiments of an integrated circuit structure and methods of making and designing the same. In embodiments, the integrated circuit structure design increases M1 routing resources and maximizes the connection pin access points. In certain embodiments when using the improved design, multiple device cell layouts are utilized in the design process to ensure that M1 line connection pins fall on M1 line tracks when the device cell is located at a cell site.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the ratio of the M1 pitch to polysilicon line pitch is reduced to be less than a 1:1 ratio. In embodiments, the M1 pitch to polysilicon line pitch is 2:3, 3:5, 1:2 or some other ratio X: Y where X is an integer less than an integer Y. In certain embodiments, the ratio is selected and then the VIA0 enclosure is designed in accordance with the selected ratio, specifically in order to maximize the number of pin access points, such as the VIA0 pin enclosure. In certain embodiments, multiple cell libraries can be used to ensure that all M1 lines and polysilicon lines are on their respective tracks. In certain embodiments, the M0 layer is used for pin access, which consumes M0 routing resources and frees up M1 routing resources. This allows for cells to be easily placed under a M1 power strap.

[0017] FIG. 1 (FIG. 1) illustrates a layout view of the M1 and M0 layers of device cell for an integrated circuit device. FIG. 1 shows an individual cell 12. In cell 12, the routing resources extending from left to right are in the M0 layer and the routing resources extending from bottom to top are in the M1 layer. More specifically, connection pins of the cell are formed in the M0 layer. For example, connection pins may be input pins. Internal wires 16a and 16b are also formed in the M0 layer, one of which (wire 16a) is shown underlying a power strap line 18 formed in the M1 layer. Wire 16 is connected to the power strap 18 by a conductive via. In certain embodiments, M1 resources, such as M1 output pin 20, connect active devices, such as NMOS and PMOS transistors of a CMOS cell through M0 output pins 22. Collectively, the M0 output pins 22 and M1 output pin 20 may be considered and output pin.

[0018] FIG. 2 (FIG. 2) is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a cell and illustrates an embodiment where the M1 pitch to polysilicon pitch is a 2:3 ratio. A pair of transistor devices are formed on a substrate 50 as shown in FIG. 2. The transistor devices have polysilicon gates 52, drain regions 54 and source regions 56. The pitch of the polysilicon lines, which form gates 52, is labeled A in FIG. 2. At least one access pin 58 is formed in the M0 layer and connected to the polysilicon layer by a contact 60 (e.g., a Tungsten (W) contact) formed between the M0 layer and the polysilicon layer. It should be understood that in embodiments a cell will have additional pins formed in the M0 layer that are connected to underlying devices (e.g., the gates, source regions and drain regions) by respective conductive vias or contacts. M1 lines 62 are formed in the M1 layer and connected to the M0 pins by conductive vias 64 formed therebetween. This layer of vias 64 is referred to as the Via0 layer. The pitch of the M1 lines is labeled B in FIG. 2. As can be seen, the pitch of the M1 lines 62 is less than the pitch of the polysilicon lines 52. In the illustrated example, the M1 pitch is two-thirds of the polysilicon line pitch. The M0 layer is used for pin access. This arrangementwhere the M0 layer is used for pin access and there is a smaller than one-to-one ratio of M1-to-polysilicon line pitchincreases the M1 routing resources when compared to a one-to-one M1 line pitch to polysilicon line pitch arrangement. It should be appreciated that pins, e.g., I/O pins, are defined for the circuit reflected in a cell. An input pin can connect to a polysilicon line through VIA0, and an output pin in the M1 layer can connect to a PMOS or NMOS device through M0 wires or be located in the M0 layer.

[0019] In embodiments, the VIA enclosure is designed to maximize the pin access points. In embodiments, the VIA0 enclosure is designed to maximize the pin access points. This concept is illustrated in FIG. 3 (FIG. 3). In FIG. 3, the M1 tracks are shown with dashed lines 100a to 100h. The cell boundary is shown at 102. A M0 line is shown at 104. In advanced node, the wire-end to wire-end spacing between two M0 wires is the M0_Cut_Width. During processing, a long wire is manufactured and then cut into two sub-wires. So, the M0_Cut_Width is the minimum spacing between two pins of the neighboring cells. The width of the cut of the M0 line at its ends is shown by reference 106 and labeled M0_Cut_Width in FIG. 3. The maximum possible length of a M0 line for a device cell is labeled Max_M0_Length and extends between two M0 cuts. A via connection 108 (VIA0) between a M1 line (not shown) on the M1 track 100a and the M0 line 104 is shown in FIG. 3. The width of any VIA0 that connects a M0 line and a M1 line is labeled as VIA0_Width. The M0 enclosure (M0_ENC), which is defined as the distance from the edge of a VIA0 108 that connects the M0 line and the endmost M1 line (either a M1 line on track 100a or track 100h) to the end of the M0 line, is labeled with reference 110. Put another way, the M0 enclosure is the distance from the outermost possible edge of a M0 line to the edge of the nearest possible VIA0 108. The maximum possible length of the M0 line (Max_M0_Length) can be defined by Equation 1 as follows, where X is the number of polysilicon line tracks per cell:

[00001]$\begin{array}{cc}\mathrm{Max\_M0}\mathrm{\_Length}=X*\mathrm{Poly\_Pitch}-\mathrm{M0\_Cut}\mathrm{\_Width}.& \left(\mathrm{Eq}.l\right)\end{array}$

It should be appreciated that X is the cell width divided by the polysilicon line pitch, meaning X*Poly_Pitch is the cell width. As such, the Max_M0 Length is the cell width minus the M0_Cut_Width. If we assume a M1 line pitch to polysilicon line pitch of 2:3, by way of example, then for the same cell area, there are five polysilicon line tracks for each eight M1 line tracks and X is equal to 5. As such, the maximum possible length of a M0 line for such a cell is five times the polysilicon line pitch minus M0_Cut_Width, for this example.

[0020] The maximum pitch between two M1 lines is shown in FIG. 3 with reference 112 and is labeled Max_M1_Pitch_Length. This value Max_M1_Pitch_Length is defined by Equation 2:

[00002]$\begin{array}{cc}\mathrm{Max\_M1}\mathrm{\_Pitch}\mathrm{\_Length}=\mathrm{M1\_Pitch}*\left(\mathrm{int}\left(\mathrm{Max\_M0}\mathrm{\_Length}/\mathrm{M1\_Pitch}\right)-\mathrm{For\_M0}\mathrm{\_Encloser}\right)& \left(\mathrm{Eq}.2\right)\end{array}$

Variable For_M0_Enclosure is a small integer, such as 0, 1 or 2 that represents the number of M1 tracks not used. That is, For_M0_Enclosure equals 0 means all M1 track are used; For_M0_Enclosure equals 1 means 1 M1 track is not used; etc. And M1_Pitch is the center distance between two adjacent M1 rails (i.e., the distance between adjacent M1 tracks 100).

[0021] Variable For_M0_Enclosure is set to 0 to define a M0_ENC value where the number of access points is maximized. Using Equations 1 and 2, the value of M0_ENC is defined by Equation 3:

[00003]$\begin{array}{cc}\mathrm{Mo\_Enc}\left(\mathrm{Max\_M0}\mathrm{\_Length}-\mathrm{Max\_M1}\mathrm{\_Pitch}\mathrm{\_Length}-\mathrm{VIA0\_Width}\right)/2.& \left(\mathrm{Eq}.3\right)\end{array}$

[0022] As should be understood, a cell is a layout of a device. When a non 1:1 M1 line pitch to polysilicon line pitch is used for the cell, there can arise the need to have multiple cell layouts for a device to ensure that the M1 lines of the cell are placed on the M1 tracks. This is because the M1 line pitch is not the same as the polysilicon line pitch, and the cells can be placed at different cell sites on the design area. In a physical integrated circuit design, the design is divided by rows and a row is divided by sites. A site is a rectangle with height equal to the cell height. The cell width is usually equal to the polysilicon pitch. Cells are placed with a cell boundary aligned to the side edge. As a result, a cell's location can be shifted laterally with respect to the predefined M1 tracks, meaning if only one cell layout is used some cell's M1 line may not fall on a M1 track. Having more than one cell (i.e., more than one cell layout) for each device allows cells to be changed or selected during the design flow to ensure that the M1 pins are on the M1 tracks for each cell site. This concept is illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B (FIGS. 4A and 4B) discussed below.

[0023] FIG. 4A illustrates a partial view of a layout design for an integrated circuit having multiple rows of cell sites, with each row having multiple sites. Parts of two rows 210, 220 are shown in FIG. 4A. the edges of cells need to align to the cell sites. The cell sites are shown by the lines 208a to 208j. Row 210 includes a first cell 200a with its left edge aligned at cell site 208a and a second cell 200b (shown in partial) with its left edge aligned at cell site 208g. Row 220 includes a third cell 200c with its left edge aligned at cell site 208d. M1 line tracks 202a to 202n are shown extending across the illustrated layout area. FIG. 4A shows the same cell layout 204a being used for each of cells 200a, 200b, 200c. This cell layout 204a includes a M1 line 206a positioned with respect to the cell border. As can be seen in row 210, cells 200a, 200b are aligned with respect to the M1 line tracks such that the M1 lines 206a fall on M1 line tracks, specifically M1 line tracks 202d and 202m for cells 200a, 200b, respectively. However, when this same cell layout 204a is used in row 220, specifically for cell 200c, and the M1 line pitch to polysilicon line pitch is not 1:1, the M1 line 206a does not fall on a M1 line track, i.e., it falls between M1 lines tracks 202h and 202i, which violates a design rule. Specifically, it can be seen that the position of cell 200c with respect to the M1 line tracks 202 results in the M1 line 206a of cell layout 204a falling between, and not on, M1 line tracks, i.e., M1 line tracks 202h and 202i.

[0024] Turning to FIG. 4B, it can be seen that in row 220, a different cell layout 204b than cell layout 204a is used for cell 200c. When compared to the cell layout 204a, one difference is that the cell layout 204b has the M1 line 206b at a different location with respect to the cell edge (or any other common reference feature, e.g., a M0 line), such that the M1 line 206b now falls on a M1 line track, specifically on M1 line track 202i. In embodiments, M0 line location may also be different as between two cell layouts for the same device.

[0025] Assuming a M1 line pitch to polysilicon line pitch of X:Y, then the number of cell layouts needed is at least the least common multiple of X and Y divided by Y. For example, if the pitch ratio is 2:3, then the number of cell layouts needed is at least 2 (i.e., (2*3)/3). If the pitch ratio is instead 3:5, then the number of cell layouts needed is at least 3 (i.e., (3*5)/5). It should be understood that more cell layouts may be needed due to other rule constraints.

[0026] Multiple different cell layouts for a given device are developed by offsetting the center of the M1 wire in the different cell layouts by a set amount. The offset of any two layouts of a cell may be different. The minimum one of the M1 offsets of two layouts is referred to herein as the minimum offset. For example, the minimum offset is equal to the M1 pitch divided by the number of layouts needed. For example, if the ratio of M1 line pitch to polysilicon line pitch 2:3, then the offset between layouts is * M1 pitch, since the 2:3 ratio dictates a maximum of two layout are needed. By way of another example, if the ratio of M1 line pitch to polysilicon line pitch is 3:5, then the offset between layouts is *M1 pitch, since the 3:5 ratio dictates a maximum of three layouts are needed.

[0027] This concept is illustrated in FIG. 5 (FIG. 5), which uses the layout of FIG. 3 discussed above. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the pitch between M1 line tracks is shown as A. In a first layout, the M1 line 120a is located such that for a first cell site location the M1 line falls directly on the M1 line track 100a. However, for the 2:3 ratio discussed above, another cell site may be shifted laterally with respect to these M1 line tracks by an amount equal to *M1 pitch. As such, a second cell layout is needed that has a M1 line 120b that is shifted *M1 pitch laterally from the location in the first cell layout of the M1 line 120a. This second cell layout is used when the device cell is to be placed at a cell site location where use of the first cell layout (i.e., the layout having the M1 line 120a) would result in the M1 line missing the M1 line track. As such, at that cell site location, the second layout (i.e., the layout having M1 line 120b located as illustrated) is used. This methodology ensures that the M1 line falls on the center of the M1 line track.

[0028] This concept, i.e. where multiple cell layouts corresponding to a device cell are available for use when a non-1:1 M1 line to polysilicon line ratio is used, is further illustrated by FIG. 6 (FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 6, an area of an integrated circuit design is traversed by predefined M1 line tracks 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d and 300e. The M1 line pitch to polysilicon line pitch is set at 2:3 for this example. FIG. 6 shows 4 possible sites 302a, 302b, 302c, 303d for polysilicon lines with respect to the M1 line tracks 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d and 300e. As can be seen from FIG. 6, the track positions with respect to the boundaries of the sites 302 repeat every 2 sites. That is, for sites 302a and 302c, the M1 line tracks 300 (i.e., 300a and 300d) fall in the center of the site 302 but for sites 302b and 302d, the M1 line tracks 300 (i.e., 300b, 300c and 300e) fall nearer to the lateral edges of the sites 302b and 302d. As shown in FIG. 6, when a cell is to be located at a first cell site location 302b, a first cell layout 304 is used that has a M1 line 306 aligned near a lateral edge of the cell layout 304 such that the M1 line 306 falls on a M1 line track 300 (here, M1 line track 302b). When a cell is to be located at a second cell site location 302c, a second cell layout 308 is used that has a M1 line 310 aligned at a center of the cell layout 308 such that the M1 line 310 falls on a M1 track 302 (here, the M1 track 302d). In summary, for a M1 line pitch to polysilicon line pitch of 2:3, a cell layout is provided with two different layouts for the M1 line alignment and, in embodiments, the cell layout M1 alignment is selected dependent on where the cell is to be placed with respect to the M1 line tracks.

[0029] FIG. 7 (FIG. 7) shows two different cell layouts 400A and 400B for comparison purposes. In embodiments, the cell layouts are identical at the M0 layer, which has M0 lines 402 extending from left to right. Pins in the M0 layer are illustrated without cross-hatch while internal wires in the M0 layer are illustrated with cross-hatch. The cells are aligned differently with respect their orientation to the M1 line tracks 408. As such, assuming a fixed reference in the device, such as the features in the M0 layer (e.g., a M0 pin) or device layer (e.g., polysilicon gate line), the position of the M1 line 404a in cell 400A is offset from the position of the M1 line 404b in cell 400B. This offset is identified as M1_Offset. The offset can be seen clearly by comparing the location of the vias 406a at the VIA0 layer in cell 400A to the location of the vias 406b at the VIA0 layer in the cell 400B. Specifically, the offset is reflected in where the vias 406a, 406b connect to the M0 lines 402, specifically to the M0 pins 402a, 402b, respectively, in cell layouts 400a, 400B.

[0030] FIG. 8 (FIG. 8) illustrates a method 500 of designing and manufacturing an integrated circuit in accordance with a generated integrated circuit design, according to certain embodiments, when the M1 line pitch is less than the pitch of the polysilicon lines. For example, in embodiments, the pitch ratio could be 2:3, 3:5 or 1:2 as discussed above. At step 502, multiple cell layouts for a device or devices are generated and stored as standard cells. That is, these cell layouts can correspond to basic devices, such as NAND devices, NOR devices, inverter devices or other basic devices, that can be used to make a larger, more complicated circuit. Multiple cell layouts for each device are stored in the cell library. For example, assuming the 2:3 pitch ratio embodiment, then for a given device two different cell layouts are stored with different M1 line locations offset from one another by *M1 pitch. In embodiments, other than the M1 line locations, which are offset from one another, and the Via0 connection to those M1 lines, the two cell layouts may be identical (i.e., at the device and M0 layers). In other embodiments, design requirements or limitations may dictate that the cell layouts also have differences in the M0 layer.

[0031] At step 504, a site (i.e., a rectangular area with the height equal to the cell height and the width equal to the polysilicon pitch) on a design area is selected for placement of the device cell. For example, with reference back to FIG. 4B, a site within row 210 or 220 for the device cell is selected.

[0032] At step 506, one of the plurality of the cell layouts for the device (that are generated and stored at step 504) is selected for that cell site that ensures that the M1 line(s) fall on M1 line track(s).

[0033] At step 508, the routing layout is prepared. That is, the layout of metal segments an vias for connecting multiple pins of cells is prepared. For example, the INNOVUS implementation system software tool from Cadence Design Systems, Inc. of San Jose, California can be used on a PC, workstation or other processing environment to develop the routing layout. Indeed, in embodiments this software tool (or another) can be used in performance of steps 502 to 510 of FIG. 8.

[0034] At step 510, the design (cell layout and routing) is stored in LEF/DEF format, in certain embodiments, in a database or other data store. Layout Exchange Format (LEF) defines the elements of an IC process technology and associated library of cell models. Design Exchange Format (DEF) defines the elements of an IC design relevant to physical layout, including the netlist and design constraints. That is, LEF format may be used to represent cells, and DEF format may be used to represent placement and routing.

[0035] Finally, at step 512, this stored design (i.e., the design stored at step 510) is then used in an integrated circuit manufacturing process. For example, the stored design is sued to prepare the masks used in the manufacturing process. Those masks are then used in manufacturing on a wafer the various layers that form the integrated circuit.

[0036] In embodiments, the selection of a non 1:1 ratio of M1 track pitch to polysilicon line pitch, such as a 2:3 ratio, allows for use of a M0 pin that would otherwise be located on M1 and saves routing resources. For example, in embodiments a 2:3 ratio can save 40% of M0 metal resources and 50% of M1 metal resources for a 7 nm or 7 nm+generation integrated circuit structure. In embodiments, the techniques described herein are applied in, but not limited to, a 7 nm (size) generation and lower generations, e.g., 5 nm and 3 nm. In embodiments, the generation is a 7 nm+ (N7+) generation, such as that of the present Applicant, which is a 7 nm generation with some layers processed with EUVL, which improve yields and reduces fab cycle times while delivering improved power consumption and between 15-20% area scaling over first generation 7 nm process. The 7 nm+generation can have areas of reduced size for logic and routing, as compared to the 7 nm generation. As such, the techniques described herein can be of particular benefit in designing and manufacturing N7+generation integrated circuits.

[0037] The teachings of the present disclosure can be embodied in the form of methods and apparatus for practicing those methods. These embodiments can also be embodied in the form of program code embodied in tangible media, such as secure digital (SD) cards, USB flash drives, diskettes, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, Blu-ray disks, hard drives, or any other non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the teachings of the present disclosure. The teachings of the present disclosure can also be embodied in the form of program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a machine, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the embodiment. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code segments combine with the processor to provide a unique device that operates analogously to specific logic circuits.

[0038] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary computing system 600 for implementing embodiments disclosed herein. While other application-specific alternatives might be utilized, it should be understood that embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in hardware, software or some combination by one or more processing systems consistent therewith, unless otherwise indicated.

[0039] Computer system 600 includes elements coupled via communication channels (e.g. bus 601) including one or more general or special purpose processors 602. System 600 elements also include one or more input devices 603 (such as a mouse, keyboard, microphone, pen, etc.), and one or more output devices 604, such as a suitable display, speakers, actuators, etc., in accordance with a particular application.

[0040] System 600 also includes a computer readable storage media reader 605 coupled to a computer readable storage medium 606, such as a storage/memory device or hard or removable storage/memory media; such devices or media are further indicated separately as storage device 608 and memory 609, which can include hard disk variants, floppy/compact disk variants, digital versatile disk (DVD) variants, smart cards, read only memory, random access memory, cache memory, etc., in accordance with a particular application. One or more suitable communication devices 607 can also be included, such as a modem, DSL, infrared or other suitable transceiver, etc. for providing inter-device communication directly or via one or more suitable private or public networks that can include but are not limited to those already discussed.

[0041] Working memory further includes operating system (OS) 691 elements and other programs 692, such as application programs, mobile code, data, etc. for implementing embodiment elements that might be stored or loaded therein during use. The particular OS can vary in accordance with a particular device, features or other aspects in accordance with a particular application (e.g. Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix or Palm OS variants, a proprietary OS, etc.). Various programming languages or other tools can also be utilized, such as C++, Java, Visual Basic, etc.

[0042] One or more system 600 elements can also be implemented in hardware, software or a suitable combination. When implemented in software (e.g. as an application program, object, downloadable, servlet, etc. in whole or part), a system 600 element can be communicated transitionally or more persistently from local or remote storage to memory (or cache memory, etc.) for execution, or another suitable mechanism can be utilized, and elements can be implemented in compiled or interpretive form. Input, intermediate or resulting data or functional elements can further reside more transitionally or more persistently in a storage media, cache or more persistent volatile or non-volatile memory, (e.g. storage device 607 or memory 608) in accordance with a particular application.

[0043] As described herein, in certain embodiments, an integrated circuit device layout is adopted where the M1 line pitch to polysilicon line pitch is not a 1:1 ratio, and specifically is in a ratio where the M1 line pitch is less than the polysilicon line pitch. In embodiments, this approach to the cell layout frees up M1 interconnection layer resources by moving connection pins to the M0 layer. This, in turn, advantageously allows for device cells to be placed directly under power straps in the M1 interconnection layer. In embodiments, manufacturing methods are adapted such that there are multiple cell layouts for a given device, which allows for the selection of a cell layout that ensures the M1 lines will fall on predefined M1 tracks when the non 1:1 ratio of M1 line pitch to polysilicon line pitch is adopted. In certain embodiments, the selection of a given cell layout can be integrated into the existing design and manufacturing process and automated.

[0044] In some embodiments, an IC device includes a plurality of cells at respective cell locations, each cell of the plurality of cells including a device layer including a plurality of gates spaced in a first direction in accordance with a gate pitch, a first plurality of metal lines in a first metal layer overlying the device layer, a second plurality of metal lines in a second metal layer overlying the first metal layer and spaced in the first direction in accordance with a metal line pitch, and a connection pin including a first metal line of the first plurality of metal lines coupled to the device layer and to a first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines, wherein a ratio of the metal line pitch to the gate pitch is less than 1, first and second cells of the plurality of cells correspond to a same IC component and have a same cell width between first and second lateral edges in the first direction, the first cell of the plurality of cells includes the first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines of the corresponding connection pin a first distance from the first lateral edge, the second cell of the plurality of cells includes the first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines of the corresponding connection pin a second distance from the first lateral edge, and the first and second distances differ by a fraction of the metal line pitch. In some embodiments, the same cell width of the first and second cells of the plurality of cells is equal to the gate pitch multiplied by a total number of gates of the plurality of gates in each of the first and second cells of the plurality of cells. In some embodiments, the connection pin of each of the first and second cells of the plurality of cells includes an input pin electrically connected through a via to a gate of the plurality of gates of the corresponding first or second cell of the plurality of cells. In some embodiments, the first and second cells of the plurality of cells include the device layer having a same device layer layout. In some embodiments, the first and second cells of the plurality of cells further include the first plurality of metal lines in the first metal layer having a same metal line layout. In some embodiments, a second metal line of the second plurality of metal lines includes a power strap, and a second metal line of the first plurality of metal lines is electrically connected to the power strap through a via. In some embodiments, the fraction of the metal line pitch is a first fraction of the metal line pitch, a third cell of the plurality of cells corresponds to the same IC component, has the same cell width between first and second lateral edges in the first direction, and includes the first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines of the corresponding connection pin a third distance from the first lateral edge, and the first and third distances differ by a second fraction of the metal line pitch different from the first fraction of the metal line pitch. In some embodiments, the first and second cells of the plurality of cells correspond to the same IC component comprising a logic device. In some embodiments, each of the first and second cells of the plurality of cells includes a plurality of connection pins including the connection pin.

[0045] In some embodiments, an IC device includes a plurality of cells at respective cell locations, each cell of the plurality of cells including a device layer including a plurality of gates spaced in a first direction in accordance with a gate pitch, a first plurality of metal lines in a first metal layer overlying the device layer, a second plurality of metal lines in a second metal layer overlying the first metal layer and spaced in the first direction in accordance with a metal line pitch, and a connection pin including a first metal line of the first plurality of metal lines coupled to the device layer and to a first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines, wherein a ratio of the metal line pitch to the gate pitch is less than 1 and is represented as X:Y, where X and Y are integer values, first and second cells of the plurality of cells correspond to a same IC component and have a same cell width between first and second lateral edges in the first direction, the first cell of the plurality of cells includes the first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines of the corresponding connection pin a first distance from the first lateral edge, the second cell of the plurality of cells includes the first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines of the corresponding connection pin a second distance from the first lateral edge, and the first and second distances differ by a fraction of the metal line pitch equal to 1/X. In some embodiments, X is equal to 2 and Y is equal to 3. In some embodiments, X is equal to 3 and Y is equal to 5. In some embodiments, the first and second cells of the plurality of cells include the device layer and the first plurality of metal lines in the first metal layer having a same layout. In some embodiments, a second metal line of the second plurality of metal lines includes a power line and a second metal line of the first plurality of metal lines is electrically connected to the power line through a via. In some embodiments, the fraction of the metal line pitch equal to 1/X is a first fraction of the metal line pitch, a third cell of the plurality of cells corresponds to the same IC component, has the same cell width between first and second lateral edges in the first direction, and includes the first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines of the corresponding connection pin a third distance from the first lateral edge, and the first and third distances differ by a second fraction of the metal line pitch equal to 2/X.

[0046] In some embodiments, an IC device includes a plurality of cells at respective cell locations, each cell of the plurality of cells including a device layer including a plurality of gates spaced in a first direction in accordance with a gate pitch, a first plurality of metal lines in a first metal layer overlying the device layer, a second plurality of metal lines in a second metal layer overlying the first metal layer and spaced in the first direction in accordance with a metal line pitch, an input pin including a first metal line of the first plurality of metal lines coupled through a via to a first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines, and a contact electrically connected to the first metal line of the first plurality of metal lines and to a gate of the plurality of gates, wherein

[0047] a ratio of the metal line pitch to the gate pitch is less than 1, first and second cells of the plurality of cells correspond to a same IC component and have a same cell width between first and second lateral edges in the first direction, the first cell of the plurality of cells includes the first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines of the corresponding input pin a first distance from the first lateral edge, the second cell of the plurality of cells includes the first metal line of the second plurality of metal lines of the corresponding input pin a second distance from the first lateral edge, and the first and second distances differ by a fraction of the metal line pitch. In some embodiments, the first metal line of the first plurality of metal lines of the input pin of each of the first and second cells of the plurality of cells extends in the first direction between the via and the contact. In some embodiments, the first metal lines of the first pluralities of metal lines of the input pins of the first and second cells of the plurality of cells have a same metal line layout. In some embodiments, a second metal line of the second plurality of metal lines includes a power line and the first plurality of metal lines comprises a second metal line electrically connected to the power line. In some embodiments, each of the first and second cells of the plurality of cells includes an output pin including a second metal line of the first plurality of metal lines coupled through another via to a second metal line of the second plurality of metal lines.

[0048] The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those ordinary skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.