An automatic layout system for masterslice LSI: MARC

An LSI layout software system MARC is described, which places functional blocks on a chip and wires between the blocks for a masterslice LSI. Up to a 1200-cell masterslice, which can contain 300 functional blocks, can be handled by the system. The placement procedure is based on the attractive and repulsive force method, and the routing procedure is implemented using the two-phase assignment algorithm. The efficient combination of placement and routing procedures brings about a high-quality result. Manual modification can be performed easily by the stand-alone graphic system interfaced with the main computer. It is shown that satisfactory run results have been obtained in the application to practical data.