Troubleshoot Via Layers Issues

Abstract Generator issues an error ABS-20007 and ABS-10018 if there are no via layers defined in the technology file.

Via layer information must be defined in standardViaDefs in the viaDefs section of the technology file. Abstract Generator requires fully-specified interlayer connectivity for all master slice, cut, and routing layers used in the design. When you are specifying up and down layers for a specific via (cut) layer, the lower layer must be specified first, then the via layer, and then the upper layer.

Example

viaDefs(
 standardViaDefs(
 ;(viaDefName layer1 layer2 (cutLayer cutWidth  ;cutHeight [resistancePerCut])
 ;(cutRows cutCol (cutSpace))
 ;(layer1Enc) (layer2Enc) (layer1Offset)
 ;(layer2Offset) (origOffset)
 ;[implant1 (implant1Enc) [implant2
 ;(implant2Enc)]])
 ;(--------------------------------------------------------------------------)

  ( VIA12  METAL1  METAL2  ("VIA1" 0.2 0.2)
   (1 1 (0.0 0.0))
   (0.1 0.1) (0.2 0.2) (0.0 0.0) (0.0 0.0)
   (0.0 0.0)
  )
  ( VIA23  METAL2  METAL3  ("VIA2" 0.1 0.2)
   (1 1 (0.0 0.0))
   (0.1 0.1) (0.2 0.2) (0.0 0.0) (0.0 0.0)
   (0.0 0.0)
  )
  ( VIA23Array  METAL2  METAL3  ("VIA2" 0.2 0.2)
   (1 1 (0.3 0.3))
   (0.1 0.1) (0.1 0.1) (0.0 0.0) (0.0 0.0)
   (0.0 0.0)
  )
 ) ;standardViaDefs
) ;viaDefs

ABS-20007

There are no vias specified in the technology file. Ensure that the selected constraint group has a ValidVias section or at least one via is specified in the standardViaDefs subsection of the viaDefs section in the technology file. In addition, ensure that the function argument is set to 'cut' for the via in the functions subsection of the layerRules section.

The standardViaDefs section of the technology file defines the via layers. Because a design requires at least two metal layers, there must be at least one via layer defined to connect them. Abstract Generator creates extraction connectivity list using validvias section.

Additionally, each via layer must also be defined in the functions subsection of the layerRules section and must have the function cut.

ABS-10018

The '%s' via layer is not defined in all the required technology file sections. Ensure that the via layer is listed in the functions subsection of the layerRules section with the function set to 'cut' and then try again.

Virtuoso Abstract Generator User Guide
Product Version IC23.1, November 2023