UNCERTAINTY AWARE INTERCONNECT DESIGN TO IMPROVE CIRCUIT PERFORMANCE AND/OR YIELD

摘要

Methods and an apparatus related to generating parameters and guidelines used in the manufacture of semiconductor IC devices are described. A method includes measuring a first oscillating signal (410) produced by a first ring oscillator (404) that includes a first interconnect provided in a first interconnect layer of an IC, selecting a first mode of operation for a second ring oscillator circuit (406, 408) that includes a second interconnect disposed in alignment with the first interconnect, selecting a second mode of operation for the second ring oscillator circuit (406, 408), and determining one or more characteristics of the first interconnect based on a difference in frequency of the first oscillating signal (410) produced when the second ring oscillator circuit is operated in the first mode and frequency of the first oscillating signal (410) when the second ring oscillator circuit is operated in the second mode.