A flexible system for mask-level routing

This paper describes a general purpose routing system that produces a mask layout that can be implemented directly, without the need for any post processing. It therefore addresses the practical problems of realising the interconnect on silicon that are often ignored by other routers. It modifies the routing pattern produced to meet the needs of a user-defined fabrication process. The system is implemented using a combination of techniques taken from artificial intelligence and more conventional software engineering. Results are shown for example switchboxes, and comparisons are made with results taken from a Greedy routing algorithm