Analytical approach to custom datapath design

Abstract

Addresses the problem of the layout design automation of a datapath cell. We present a novel approach to the transistor placement problem for custom datapath design and we demonstrate that it can be applied to practical designs. Our approach is based on an analytical model which employs a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) technique. The novelty and originality of the method is the efficient management of the complexity of the underlying mathematical model. Our prototype tool automatically handles transistor merging, folding and intra-cell component sharing.