ENGINEERING CHANGE ORDER (ECO) CELL ARCHITECTURE AND IMPLEMENTATION

摘要

Engineering change order (ECO) cell architecture and implementation is disclosed. In particular, exemplary aspects disclosed herein provide a generic cell structure that may be readily modified to effect an ECO without requiring extensive mask changes beyond one or two levels including the level in which the cell is located. Further, this generic cell structure can be "parked" fairly deep in the manufacturing process, such as in the middle-end-of-line (MEOL), so that fewer changes to other masks are needed in the event of a change. The generic cell may further act as a filler cell for pattern density. Inclusion of such a generic cell in a circuit design can help alleviate the need for extensive mask redesign and accompanying delays in the production of finished silicon.