UMC to TSMC Help!

Sorry about the double posting, but I want as many people to see this
as possible in hopes that there might be a solution...

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I am having a great deal of problems with a project I have been
assigned to. Essentially, here is what I need to do:

WHAT I HAVE
1. UMC 0.18 gds file (NOT GDSII).
2. UMC 0.18 TF File
3. UMC 0.18 .DRF File

WHAT I NEED TO DO
1. Stream in the UMC 0.18 gds file using the technology file and design
rule file. I need to be able to view the layout of this file.
2. Once the layout has been confirmed, I need to convert the layout
into the TSMC 0.18 technology.

PROBLEMS I AM HAVING
1. I cannot view the UMC 0.18 file. Please see the link below for a
detailed explanation, using screen shots to view everything that I see.

http://www.egr.msu.edu/~zielstep/Importing_Problems.pdf

2. Obviously, I cannot convert the layout to the TSMC 0.18 technology
because I am having problems getting past the first step. But once I
get here, how do I go about completing this step? I realize that I
need a layer map, but will MOSIS (or any other company) provide a layer
map to go from UMC 0.18 technology to TSMC 0.18 technology?

Are there any other steps that I will need to follow? ANY advice is
welcome, even those that will not solve this problem completely. Any
help is appreciated. Also, please let me know if you need any other
information that I have not provided. Thank you so much for your help
in advance.

- zielstep

 

Click Options/Display. Change the Filter Size to zero and Display Levels
Stop to 32. Click OK. Click Window/Fit All. Now you should see more than
two instance boxes.

 

I tried changing what you told me to, but it didn't work. Any other
ideas? Thank you very much for your help!

- zielstep

 

1. did you define correct stream map table when you stream in?
2. did you attach the library to correct techngology library?
3. umc 0.18 tech file is compitable to display file?

 

,

1. I left that as the default path, which I thought I was supposed to
do. Now I'm not sure if that's the case. I will get back to you on
this.

2. We do not have the UMC technology libraries, but we are just
attempting to look at the layout (to know that we imported it
correctly). My understanding is that if I have the UMC libraries, I
can create schematics and such, but I do not need them to just view the
GDS file (I.E. layout).

3. They must be. These files were reportedly used to fabricate a chip
in 2000, which I have actually seen and that won awards. So they must
be compatible.

Again, thank you very much for your help, and I will look into the
first question and reply ASAP.

- zielstep

 

,

I have looked into it further, and I guess I am not sure what you mean
by "stream map table". I believe this would have something to do with
the "User-defined Data" option, and the following is what I see when I
click on this option:

1. Cell Name Map Table
2. Layer Map Table
3. Text Font Map Table
4. Restore Pin Attribute
5. User-Defined Property Mapping file
6. User-Defined Property Seperator
7. User-Defined SKILL file

If you are refering to the Layer Map Table, I believe this is something
that is normally requested through MOSIS - however in this case I am
trying to go from UMC to TSMC, and because MOSIS does not support UMC
process, I am not sure if they would have this Layer Map Table. (Does
anyone know where I can get one???)

Please confirm whether this is what you meant or not when you find
time. Again, thanks so much for your effort.

- zielstep

 

Hi ,Stephen,

Yes, I mean Layer Map Table, for my knowlegde, you have to have it
when you stream gds in a cadence library. you can try to see your tf
file, maybe there is a stream map section.

BUT to convert a GDS file from UMC to TSMC environment, you need to
know gds number in umc and its respective layer name in tsmc, for
example,

poly layer in umc, the gds number is 1 and datatype is 0, in tsmc, the
layer name is ("POLY" "drawing"), then you need to have your special
stream map table, something like

Layer name Layer purpose Stream Datatype
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
POLY drawing 1 0

......

Use this file to stream in the gds file into the cadence TSMC
environment, then you can see the layout in cadence tsmc enviroment

hope help







wrote:

 

For the record, the best way, IMHO, to convert from one technology to
another is to use the Virtuoso Layout Migrate (VLM) suite of tools
which are available at Cadence in all recent releases (formerly from
Qtrek Design Automation, Inc.).

You'll end up with a layout and schematic in the desired TSMC process
that match the original UMC version in all respects other than process.

In fact, it's even possible (and perhaps most efficient) to design with
the Cadence CDK (complete design kit), using the CDK as a pseudo
'lamda-based rule" setup - and then use VLM to release in any desired
foundry technology.

In addition, the VLM suite of tools also gives you availability to the
recommended-rules yield-enhancement and optimization capabilities of
VLM. Even without VLM, bear in mind, Virtuoso Layout Optimize is now
part of all Virtuoso Layout Tools, IIRC, so, you already have access to
the VLO portion of VLM to optimize your layout for your particular
process. Once you've written (or obtained) the VLO rule deck (which is
part of the IC61 technology file), you're mostly on your way to VLM
anyway.

Just another way to accomplish the task of migrating from process to
process or from node to node for design reuse ...

As always, so all benefit from each response,
John Gianni