United International University (UIU)

Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE)

Course: VLSI Design Lab (EEE 442)

Experiment 6: Layout Design of Standard Cells

Introduction:
1. Switch to csh, this will setup your cadence tools environment variables
csh
2. Create a lab directory and work sub-directory; also create simulation and
states sub-dir under work:
mkdir lab6
cd lab6
mkdir work
cd work
mkdir simulation states
3. Copy the cds.lib file from ~sahmed/eee442/lab5/ into your work/ directory
cp ~sahmed/eee442/lab5/cds.lib_090 cds.lib
4. We will use virtuoso tool from Cadence to create our schematic. Start the
tool
virtuoso &
5. This will open the Common Interpreter Window (CIW) and the Overview
window. Read the Overview window to learn about the virtuoso updates and
close it.
CREATING A NEW LIBRARY
6. Click on Tools Library Manager in CIW. This will open Library Manager
window
7. Click on File New Library in the Library Manager window. This will open
New Library form.
8. In the Name section of the New Library form give a design library name (e.g.
myDesignLib). Make sure the Directory: points at your work area. Click on
OK
9. Technology File for New Library form appears, select option Attach to an
existing technology library and click OK.
10.Attach Library to Technology Library form appears, select gpdk from the
Technology Library field. Click OK.

11.This will create the design library and show in the Library Manager under
Library
12.Right click on the newly created design library and select properties. This
will open Library Property Editor. Make sure gpdk is listed at
techLibName.
CREATING A SCHEMATIC CELLVIEW
13.Click on File New Cellview in the Library Manager window. New File
form will open.
14.Make sure Library is set as the design library, name the Cell as inverter,
View and Type are set as schematic . Choose Schematic XL for the
Open with field and select the Always use this application . Make sure
Library path file is set to the cds.lib in your work area. Click OK.
15.A blank schematic window for the inverter design appears. Make sure
library name is same as what we created earlier.
ADDING COMPONENTS TO SCHEMATIC
16.Click on Create Instance (or press i). Add Instance window appears.
17.Click on Browse for Library. Library Browser window appears. Select
gpdk under Library, nmos under Cell and symbol under View. Set Total
Width and Finger Width to 1u and Length to 180n. Move your cursor to
schematic window and left click to place the component.
18.Do the same for pmos: Select gpdk under Library, pmos under Cell and
symbol under View. Set Total Width and Finger Width to 3u and Length
to 180n. Move your cursor to schematic window and left click to place the
component.
Library Name
gpdk90
gpdk90

Cell Name
pmos
nmos

Properties
Total width =
Total width =

19.You can change the parameter values of the placed components using Edit
Properties Objects command. Use Edit Move and Edit Rotate to
move/rotate the components in the schematic window.
ADDING PINS TO SCHEMATIC
20.Click on Create Pin (or press p). Add Pin window appears.
21.Write Vdd Vss in as Pin Names, select Direction as Input. Move your
cursor to the schematic window and left click to place the pins one at a
time. Move/Rotate them as before if needed.

22.Write out as Pin Names, select Direction as Output. Move your cursor to
the schematic window and left click to place the pins one at a time.
Move/Rotate them as before if needed.
23.Select Cancel from the Add Pin window.
ADDING WIRES TO A SCHEMATIC
24.Click on Create Wire (narrow) (or press w). Make appropriate connection
of different components and pins in the Schematic window using left mouse
button. Press ESC button after completing the connections.
SAVING THE DESIGN
25.Click the Check and Save icon in the Schematic window. Observe the CIW
for any errors.
If needed create a test circuit to test your schematic (follow the steps of lab5 to do
so). Follow the steps below to create a layout of your schematic if you are satisfied.
CREATING LAYOUT VIEW
26.Click on Launch Layout XL in the Schematic window. Startup Option
window appears.
27.Select Create New option under Layout and Automatic option under
Configuration option. Click OK.
28.A New File form appears. Check the Library and Cell names are what you
want. Make sure View and Type are set to layout. Check if the Library
path file is set to your cds.lib. Click OK. Layer Select Window (LSW) and a
blank layout window appear along with the schematic window.
ADDING COMPONENTS TO LAYOUT
29.Click on Connectivity Generate All from Source in the Layout Editor
Window. Generate Layout form appears. Click OK. This will import the
schematic components in to the Layout window automatically.
30.Re-arrange the components inside the PR_Boundary. Use Edit Stretch,
Edit Move, Edit Properties to stretch/shrink, move and/or rotate as
needed.
31.Use Tools Create Ruler to know the distance between components or to
know the area of design or different components.
32.Use Create Shape Path, Create Shape Rectangle , Create Via
and other similar options from the Layout window and select appropriate
layers/Vias from LSW for making inter connections.
33.Click on File Save to save the layout
DRC

34.
LVS
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RCX
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