Inter-region constraint-based router for use in electronic design automation

摘要

A system and method for routing wires using an automated circuit design tool includes a process for order negotiation to adjust the ordering of wires back and forth between conduits by considering both inter-region and intra-region constraints on the layout of the wires. Order negotiation is preferably carried out by looking both forward and backward during the processing of channels, and by flexibly accounting for intra-region, crosstalk, and grouping constraints, as well as conduit exit constraints. Pairs of nets within a conduit are classified in different categories, including (1) having internal constraints, and (2) not having internal constraints. Nets having internal constraints are generally used in order negotiation for limited purposes (e.g., breaking a loop), whereas nets having no internal constraints are generally used in order negotiation for a variety of other purposes as well, including improving the layout of other conduits.