Recursive implementation of VLSI circuits

Abstract

This is an introduction for Escher—the geometrical layout system. An Escher circuit description is a hierarchical structure composed of cells, wires, connectors between wires, and pins that connect wires to cells. Cells may correspond to primitive circuit elements, or they may be defined in terms of lower level subcells. Unlike other geometrical layout systems, a subcell may be instance of the cell being defined. When such a recursive cell definition is instantiated, the recursion is unwound in a manner reminiscent of the procedure call copy rule in Algol-like programming languages. Cell specifications may have parameters that are used to control the unwinding of recursive cells and to provide for cell families with varying numbers of pins and other internal components. With examples we illustrate how the Escher system might be used. We also briefly describe some basic rules for moving circuit components around in obtaining a layout.