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Base Data Structures

This page of the documentation explains the base data structures of OpenRAM.

Table of Contents

1. Design Classes
2. Base Class Inheritance
3. Parameterized Transistor
4. Parameterized Cells

Design Classes

• SPICE and GDS2 Interfaces
  • Custom cells (read GDS and SPICE)
  • Generated cells (creates GDS and SPICE "on the fly")
• Netlist functions
  • Add (directional) pins
  • Add and connect instances
• Layout functions
  • Place instances
  • Add wires, routes, vias
  • Channel and Power router
• Verification functions (wrap around DRC and LVS tools)

Base Class Inheritance

flowchart TD
    A[design.py \n\n General design and helper DRC constants] --> B[hierarchy_design.py \n\n DRC/LVS functions]
    B --> C["hierarchy_spice.py \n\n Netlist related functionality"]
    B --> D["hierarchy_layout.py \n\n Layout related functionality"]
    C --> E["Functions: \n add_pins \n add_inst"]
    C --> F["sp_read \n sp_write \n Power data \n Delay data"]
    D --> G["Functions: \n add_{layout_pin,rect,...} \n place_inst \n create_channel_route \n etc."]
    D --> H["gds_read \n gds_write \n get_blockages \n etc."]

Parameterized Transistor (ptx or pfinfet)

• Creates variable size/finger nmos or pmos transistor
  • Optional gate and source/drain contacts in naive way
  • Not optimal layout, but "good enough"
  • Offset (0,0) is lower-left corner of active area
• Size/fingers effect on size must be estimated elsewhere perhaps by trying configurations

Parameterized Cells

Dynamically generated cells (in $OPENRAM_HOME/pgates)

• Not the most efficient layouts but "ok"
• Try to use restrictive design rules to keep them portable
• Transistors
  • ptx, pfinfet
• Logic gates
  • pinv, pnand2, pnand3, pnor2
• Buffer/drivers
  • pbuf, pinvbuf, pdriver
• SRAM Logic
  • precharge, single_level_column_mux