10/17/2021

Stick Diagrams
 Stick diagrams are a means of capturing topography and
layer information using simple diagrams.
 Stick diagrams convey layer information through color
codes (or monochrome encoding).
 Acts as an interface between symbolic circuit and the
actual layout.
 The width of the line is not important, as stick diagrams
give only wiring and routing information.
 These provide a top view of the patterns.

261 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

261

Stick Diagrams
 Does show
 All components/vias.
 relative placement of components.

 Does not show

 Exact placement of components
 Transistor sizes
 Wire lengths, wire widths, tub boundaries.
 Any other low level details such as parasitic

262 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

262

19EC504: VLSI Design

Anil Kumar Bhat 1
 10/17/2021

Stick Diagram Notations

 Can define your own notation. No Rule as such

Metal 1

poly

ndiff

pdiff
Can also draw
in shades of
gray/line style.

263 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

263

Stick Diagram Rules

 When two or more ‘sticks’ of the same type cross or
touch each other that represents electrical contact.

 When two or more ‘sticks’ of different type cross or

touch each other there is no electrical contact.

264 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

264

19EC504: VLSI Design

Anil Kumar Bhat 2
 10/17/2021

Stick Diagram Rules

 If contact is needed we have to show explicitly

 When poly crosses diffusion it represents a transistor

 If a contact is shown then it is not a transistor

265 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

265

Stick Diagram Rules

 In CMOS a demarcation line is drawn to avoid
touching of p-diff with n-diff.

 Only Poly and Metal can go across the demarcation

line.

266 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

266

19EC504: VLSI Design

Anil Kumar Bhat 3
 10/17/2021

How to draw Stick Diagrams - 1

267 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

267

How to draw Stick Diagrams - 2

268 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

268

19EC504: VLSI Design

Anil Kumar Bhat 4
 10/17/2021

How to draw Stick Diagrams - 3

269 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

269

How to draw Stick Diagrams - 4

(a) 2:1 Mux (b) XNOR

270 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

270

19EC504: VLSI Design

Anil Kumar Bhat 5
 10/17/2021

Identify the circuit

𝐹 = 𝐷(𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝐶)

271 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

271

Identify the circuit

F = (ab + c + d)’
272 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

272

19EC504: VLSI Design

Anil Kumar Bhat 6
 10/17/2021

Identify the circuit

𝑎+𝑏 𝑐
273 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

273

Identify the circuit

𝐴𝐵 + 𝐶𝐷 + 𝐸
274 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

274

19EC504: VLSI Design

Anil Kumar Bhat 7
 10/17/2021

Design Rules and Layout

275 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

275

Design Rules and Layout

 Chips are specified with set of masks

 Minimum dimensions of masks determine transistor

size (and hence speed, cost, and power)

 Layout (design) rules can be considered as a

prescription for preparing the photomask used in the
fabrication of integrated circuits

276 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

276

19EC504: VLSI Design

Anil Kumar Bhat 8
 10/17/2021

Design Rules and Layout

 Objective is to obtain a circuit with optimum yield in
as small an area as possible without compromising
reliability of a circuit

 Addresses two issues:

 Geometrical reproduction of features that can be
reproduced by the mask-making and lithographical
process.

 Interactions between different layers.

277 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

277

Design Rules and Layout

 ‘Micron’ rules stated at some micron resolution (e.g.,
1μm)
 Constraints such as feature sizes and allowable separations are
stated in terms of absolute dimensions in micro-meters.

 This is the normal style for industry.

 Lambda(λ)-based rules popularized by Mead and Conway

 based on a single parameter, λ, which characterizes the linear
feature

 allows linear, proportional scaling of all geometrical constraints.

278 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

278

19EC504: VLSI Design

Anil Kumar Bhat 9
 10/17/2021

Geometrical design rules for 0.18µm CMOS

process

279 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

279

Geometrical design rules for 0.18µm CMOS

process

280 19EC504: VLSI Design (AKB)

280

19EC504: VLSI Design

Anil Kumar Bhat 10