Synopsys Introduces Galaxy Custom Router Technology

This new shape-based router delivers 2 to 5X productivity improvements over manual efforts and is ready for use with advanced designs by offering support for 20-nanometer and smaller process technology design rules, including double-patterning.

Galaxy Custom Router enables the IC Compiler solution users to create high-quality routing patterns for difficult routing tasks, such as differential pair routing, shielded routing (including bus and differential pair shielding), matched RC routing, river routing and point-to-point coaxial routing. Users can pre-route sensitive nets using a rich set of custom routing options and continue with IC Compiler to complete the physical implementation.

Galaxy Custom Router supports advanced process technology nodes, including 20-nm. For example, it automatically creates colorable routing patterns. It also supports variable track grids—a requirement for some advanced-node processes. Galaxy Custom Router adheres to constraints specified in IC Compiler, including default and non-default design rules, routing grids, route keep-outs, route blockages and route guides.

Increasingly, mixed-signal and digital designs require hand-crafted-quality routing for sensitive analog and high-speed digital signals, said Paul Lo, senior vice president and general manager of the Synopsys Analog/Mixed-Signal Group. Galaxy Custom Router is a key technology for addressing this need, and a significant milestone toward realizing our vision of a unified solution for digital and custom system-on-chip design.

Galaxy Custom Router Highlights:
•IC Compiler Custom Co-Design solution adds new mixed-signal routing technology.
•Automates routing for custom nets, such as shielded buses, differential pairs and more.
•Supports 20-nm and smaller process technology rules, including double-patterning.