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Cross-platform validation of OASIS layout database generation ensures database consistency throughout IC process flows

Screenshots of two configurations in two databases showing the differences found by an object-based comparison (different text labels on the same polygon and multiple polygons vs. a merged polygon)
Maintaining OASIS database integrity between layout generation applications is crucial to ensure compatibility between all tools in a design implementation flow. Inconsistencies between databases can cause significant issues in a production IC design implementation flow. CAD teams should always perform rigorous evaluation and testing of database integrity to validate equivalency when transitioning to a new process technology or introducing a new application into a production IC process flow. This validation process should include a comprehensive object-based data comparison against a known good/correct dataset that includes specific layout object, cell placement, and hierarchy comparisons to ensure database compatibility with the production methodology.

Calibre DBdiff object-based database comparison ensures database consistency across IC process flows

Database comparison is commonly used within production IC implementation flows to validate changes to the design layers between design iterations. In these flows, the comparison output is intended to report any differences between the two input databases to enable engineers to confirm that changes were only found where expected. However, when transitioning to a new process technology or introducing a new application into a production IC process flow, design teams should use object-based comparison that supports the identification of more detailed database differences that may be detrimental in a production flow. The Calibre DBdiff utility, which is part of the Calibre nmPlatform EDA toolsuite, can be easily configured to run object-based database comparisons to detect and report any inconsistencies that could delay or derail the production flow.

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