Patent attributes
A computer/software tool for electronic design automation (EDA) uses parasitic elements from a post-layout netlist (PLN) file for a given IC design to assess routing-imposed RC-based signal degeneration. The computer/software tool facilitates selection of, and insertion location for, one or more “virtual repeaters,” based on modification to the PLN file. The tool generates a visual display based on the calculated design characteristics, facilitating adjustment and optimization of repeater cell and location by the designer. The repeater insertion is “virtual,” because modeling and adjustment can be based on abstractions (e.g., load capacitance presented by a repeater) and the already-extracted netlist file, and because an actual circuit design need not be created until after a designer has fine-tuned repeater insertion parameters.