A quantitative benchmarking metric is presented for the evaluationnof the quality of analogue layout. It facilitates comparisons betweennalternative design automation tools and, for a given tool, providesnassessment of each layout instance. The quality metric reflects twonprincipal concerns in layout design: area efficiency and net routingnoptimality. The algorithm has been developed to accommodate hierarchicalnstructures, as well as flat designs. The metric allows the designer tonalter the relative importance of area and routing efficiencies, althoughna recommendation is given on the appropriate balance. The resultsndemonstrate the use of the metric to evaluate an automatic layout tool,nand its effectiveness in providing a characterisation that correspondsnto the expert designer's judgement
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