Method for optimizing an integrated circuit physical layout

1. A computer-implemented method of creating a global integrated circuit layout comprised of a number of polygons having a predetermined geometrical relation relative to each other, comprising:

providing, by computer processor, an initial global integrated circuit layout wherein the global integrated circuit layout is provided by storing corner and edge coordinates of polygons representing the shapes of a local pattern;

assessing local quality numbers, each as a function of the corner and edge coordinates of a local pattern of polygon shapes in said initial global integrated circuit layout;

aggregating approximated functions of said local quality numbers, to derive an integral quality number associated to said initial global integrated circuit layout, wherein said approximated function is provided as linearly dependent on said corner and edge coordinates;

perturbing said integral quality number by varying said corner and edge coordinates of said polygons in a global integrated circuit layout; and

selecting perturbations of said corner and edge coordinates of said polygon shapes that improve the integral quality number, so as to optimize said global integrated circuit layout.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said integral quality number represents a printing related predicted yield; a random defect related predicted yield; a predicted electrical circuit performance value; a mask making related cost; a random defect sensitivity, a quality of vias connecting multiple conducting layers in the design, a quality of electrical devices in the circuit layout, and/or a electro-migration sensitivity.

3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein said predicted electrical circuit performance is related to circuit speed and/or power consumption.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the initial global integrated circuit layout includes geometrical characteristics.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said approximated functions are provided by evaluating local quality numbers on perturbations on the local pattern of shapes, so as to assess approximated function values of said local quality numbers.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a linear dependency on said corner and edge coordinates is provided by determining a direction of steepest descent of a multi dimensional local quality number.

7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said approximated function is provided as a piecewise linear function.

8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said approximated function is provided as a quadratic function.

9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said local quality number is expressed as a function of cover margins of a target shape, of overlapping polygons, for assessing a quality number of via connections.

10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said local quality number is expressed as a function of cover margins of simulated contours of polygons, for assessing optical proximity effects.

11. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said local quality number is expressed as a function of simulated intensities on polygon edge positions, for assessing contrast rating.

12. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said local quality number is expressed as a function of distance and common run length between adjacent polygons, for assessing random defect sensitivity.

13. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said local quality number is expressed as a function on predicted integrated circuit transistor parameters.

14. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said global integrated circuit layout is generated deterministically by a set of parameters, and wherein said perturbations are provided by perturbation of said parameters.

15. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said global integrated circuit layout is varied by varying the local pattern of shapes or approximated functions.

16. A computer program product, comprising program code portions for performing steps of a method as claimed in claim 1 , when run on a programmable apparatus.

17. An article of manufacture with a non-transitory computer usable medium having computer readable instructions therein for providing access to resources available on that computer, the computer readable instructions comprising to cause the computer to perform the steps of a method as claimed in claim 1 .

18. A system for creating an integrated circuit layout, comprising:

an input for receiving an initial global integrated circuit layout, the input adapted to store corner and edge coordinates of polygons representing the shapes of a local pattern;

a processing circuit arranged to

assess a function of the corner and edge coordinates of said initial global integrated circuit layout, to derive an integral quality number associated to said initial circuit layout as an aggregated function of local quality numbers, each as a function of the corner and edge coordinates of a local pattern of polygon shapes wherein said approximated function is provided as linearly dependent on said corner and edge coordinates;

perturb said integral quality number by varying said corner and edge coordinates of said polygons in a global integrated circuit layout; and

select perturbations of said corner and edge coordinates of said polygon shapes that improve the integral quality number; and an output for outputting said selected perturbations.