Data processing system for designing a layout of an integrated electronic circuit having a multiplicity of electronic components and method of designing a layout

摘要

A data processing system includes a data memory, in which data are stored, the data representing a set of predetermined geometrical basic forms and a set of geometrical operations that can be applied to the basic forms. The basic forms form place markers for electronic components in the layout. In other words, each component is represented by a geometrical basic form or a combination of a plurality of geometrical basic forms. The basic forms can be altered during the layout design by application of the geometrical operations. Such alteration creates a large margin of freedom in the design. On the other hand, the unaltered original basic forms are examined for verification of the layout design. As a result, the verification is simplified and “dummy” errors that are often a consequence of the complexity of a design are avoided. A method for designing the layout with the system is also provided.