20/08/2025

How do you plan the die size and estimate the chip area?

 o   Gather Inputs:

o   Gate Count: Number of standard logic gates from synthesis (excluding memories/macros).

o   Memory/Macro Area: Total area required for all hard macros, RAMs, ROMs, IP blocks (obtained from their datasheets or abstracts).

o   IO Count: Number of Input/Output pads/bumps required.

o   Technology Information: Gate density (gates/mm²) for the target standard cell library, standard cell height, required IO pad dimensions/pitch.

o   Target Utilization: The desired percentage of the core area that will be occupied by standard cells and macros after placement.

o   Overhead Estimation: Percentage allowance for Clock Tree Synthesis (CTS) buffers/inverters, routing overhead, ECO margin, physical cell placement (decap, filler), etc. (e.g., add 10-20% to gate count).

o   Calculate Core Area:

o   Standard Cell Area: (Gate Count + Gate Count * Overhead%) / Gate Density

o   Total Core Logic Area: Standard Cell Area + Memory/Macro Area

o   Estimated Core Area: Total Core Logic Area / Target Utilization

o   Calculate IO Area / Peripheral Area: Determine the area required for the IO pads based on their count and dimensions/pitch. This depends on whether the design is pad-limited or core-limited.

o   Pad-Limited: The number and size of IO pads dictate the minimum perimeter and thus the minimum die size. The core must fit within this boundary.

o   Core-Limited: The calculated core area dictates the die size, and the IO pads must fit around this core.

o   Estimate Die Size: Combine the core area and peripheral/IO area.

o   For a core-limited design, the die area is roughly the core area plus the surrounding IO area/channels.

o   For a pad-limited design, calculate the minimum dimensions required by the pads and ensure the estimated core area fits inside.

o   Consider Aspect Ratio: Decide on the desired Height/Width ratio for the die (often close to 1.0 for square, but can vary based on packaging or system constraints). Calculate the die dimensions (Height, Width) based on the estimated Die Area and Aspect Ratio:

1.       Die Area = Width * Height

2.       Aspect Ratio (AR) = Height / Width

3.       Height = sqrt(Die Area * AR)

4.       Width = sqrt(Die Area / AR)

o   Floorplan Initialization: https://openroad.readthedocs.io/en/latest/main/src/ifp/README.html

 

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