A DFM aware, space based router

The days when a router simply connected up the nets, obeying simple width and spacing rules, are long gone. While modern routers are still expected to connect things up correctly (albeit with a much more complex set of design rules), they are also expected to balance many more objectives. Even in a digital design, routers are now expected to preserve or enhance timing, get rid of crosstalk violations, even out metal density, insert redundant vias, minimize critical area, and generate 'litho friendly' geometry where possible, just to name a few additional tasks. Analog and mixed signal design adds many more, and more complex, constraints. Managing this large set of often conflicting objectives requires a router built for this express purpose. This talk will discuss Cadence's 'Space Based Router', a new router designed with DFM and DFY in mind.