proute_via_insertion

proute_via_insertion
-nets {s_netName…} 
[ -from {core_ring | block_ring | stripes | cell_row_straps | all} ] 
[ -to {core_ring | block_ring | stripes | cell_row_straps | all} ] 
[ -from_set d_setObj -to_set d_setObj ] 
[ { -from_layer s_layerName -to_layer s_layerName 
    [ -cut_width {f_width…} -cut_height {f_height…} ] } 
| {{[ -set d_setObj | -instances {all | {s_instName…}} ] 
    [ -include_straps [ true | false ] ] 
    [ -connect_top_level_pins [ true | false ] ]} 
  [ -pin_layers {s_layerName…} | -layers {s_layerName…} 
  [ -to_layer s_layerName ] ] } ] 
[ -min_layer s_layerName ] 
[ -max_layer s_layerName ] 
[ -routing_area {f_xlo f_ylo f_xhi f_yhi} ] 
[ -rows {i_rows…} -columns {i_columns…} | -square_cut_array [ true | false ] ] 
[ -conservative_cut_space [ true | false ] ] 
[ -ignore_obstacles [ true | false ] | -ignore_purposes {s_purposeName…}] 
[ -ignore_rail_orientation [ true | false ] ] 
[ -include_narrow_pins [ true | false ] ] 
[ -max_msg_count i_count ] 
[ -observe_rectilinear_prBoundary [ true | false ] ] 
[ -power_only [ true | false ] ] 
[ -silent [ true | false ] ] 
[ -skip_via_checks {[same_net][diff_net][min_area][num_cuts][extensions] 
  [min_edge ][stack_limit]} ] 
[ -tap_to_depth i_tapToDepth ] 
[ -threads i_count ] 
[ -undoable [ true | false ] ] 
[ -use_checker [ true | false ] ] 
[ -use_valid_routing_vias [ true | false ] ] 
[ -via_through [ true | false ] ]

Description

Adds vias for interlayer connections at intersections of rings, rails, stripes and straps, or between instance pins and stripes. You can choose the cut array dimensions as a specific number of rows and columns or an equal number of rows and columns. If specific dimensions are not given, then the number of cuts in rows and columns is calculated to maximize the number of cuts that will fit in the narrower dimension of the available area for each via.

To use this command, minWidth, minSpacing and an extension rule (minExtension or minDualExtension) must be set for the via layers that are processed.

Arguments

`-columns` {i_columns…}	Specifies the number of columns in the cut array for all vias. If a single value is given, it applies to all cut layers. If a list is specified, there must be one value given for each cut layer between `-from_layer` and `-to_layer`, and the first value refers to the lowest cut layer. If the cut array with these dimensions cannot fit within a via area, no via is created for that metal intersection. Both arguments, `-row`s and `-columns`, must be given.
`-connect_top_level_pins [ true \| false ]`
	Specifies whether top-level pins are included in stripe-to-pin connections. By default, top-level pins are excluded. If neither `-set` nor `-instances` is given, adds vias between stripes and top-level pins. No other connections are made.
`-conservative_cut_space [ true \| false ]`
	If `true` and `minAdjacentViaSpacing` is set, uses this larger cut spacing in one dimension. By default, if `false,` or if `minAdjacentViaSpacing` is not set, uses the appropriate cut spacing (`minSpacing` or `minSameNetSpacing`) for each via.
`-cut_height` {f_height…}
	Specifies the Y dimension of each cut. A single value applies to all cut layers. If a list is specified, there must be one value given for each cut layer between `-from_layer` and `-to_layer`, and the first value refers to the lowest cut layer. Both arguments, `-cut_height` and `-cut_width`, must be given.
`-cut_width` {f_width…}	Specifies the X dimension of each cut. A single value applies to all cut layers.If a list is specified, there must be one value given for each cut layer between `-from_layer` and `-to_layer`, and the first value refers to the lowest cut layer. Both arguments, `-cut_height` and `-cut_width`, must be given.
`-from {core_ring \| block_ring \| stripes \| cell_row_straps \| all}`
	Connects only from this rail type. Default: `all`
`-from_layer` s_layerName
	Must be given with `-to_layer` to limit processing to the cut layers between `-from_layer` and `-to_layer`. Cannot be used with `-set` or `-instance`. Default: all layers
`-from_set` d_setObj	Connects only from objects in the given set.
`-ignore_obstacles [ true \| false ]`
	When `true`, ignores all obstacles and creates power segments without regard to rule violations. This is useful to get a quick preliminary power layout or when it is known that there are no obstacles, such as on an empty layer. Default: `false`
`-ignore_purposes` {s_purposeName…}
	Similar to `-ignore_obstacles`, ignores objects on the given purposes. By default, no purposes are ignored.
`-ignore_rail_orientation [ true \| false ]`
	When `true`, ignores relative rail orientation and permits vias to be inserted between rails of the same orientation. When `false`, only adds vias between orthogonal rails of differing orientation. Default: `false`
`-include_narrow_pins [ true \| false ]`
	When set to `true`, allows vias on pins that are narrower than one via. Default: `true`
`-include_straps [ true \| false ]`
	When set to `true`, vias are inserted to connect straps to standard cell pins. When set to `false`, vias are not inserted on standard cell pins. Default: `false`
`-instances {all \|` {s_instName…}}
	Adds only vias between stripes and either the pins of all instances or the pins of the instances in the list. No other connections are made. If neither `-set`, `-instances`, nor `-connect_to_top_level_pins` is given, vias are added at intersections of rings, rails, straps and stripes. No pin connections are made.
`-layers` {s_layerName…}
	(Same as `-pin_layers`) Used with `-set` or `-instances`, and/or `-connect_to_top_level_pins` to limit stripe-to-pin connections to the pins of the selected/listed instances and/or top level pins on the given layers.
`-max_layer` s_layerName
	Specifies the highest metal layer to be connected. The default is the top metal layer.
`-max_msg_count` i_count
	Specifies the maximum number of message for each message type to output. Default: 10
`-min_layer` s_layerName
	Specifies the lowest metal layer to be connected. The default is the bottom metal layer.
`-nets` {s_netName…}	Specifies the nets to route.
`-observe_rectilinear_prBoundary [ true \| false ]`
	When `true`, only adds vias within the design’s rectilinear prBoundary. When `false`, vias can be added outside the design boundary. Default `false`
`-pin_layers` {s_layerName …}
	(Same as `-layers`) Used with `-set` or `-instances`, and/or `-connect_to_top_level_pins` to limit stripe-to-pin connections to the pins of the selected/listed instances and/or top-level pins on the given layers. If neither `-set`, `-instances`, nor `-connect_to_top_level_pins` is given, vias are added at intersections of rings, rails, straps and stripes. No pin connections are made.
`-power_only [ true \| false ]`
	If `true` (default), only power and ground nets are allowed. If `false`, signal nets are also allowed.
`-routing_area` {f_xlo f_ylo f_xhi f_yhi}
	Limits the via insertion to the region given.
`-rows` {i_rows…}	Specifies the number of rows in the cut array for all vias. If a list is specified, there must be one value given for each cut layer between `-from_layer` and `-to_layer`, and the first value refers to the lowest cut layer. If the cut array with these dimensions cannot fit within a via area, no via is created for that metal intersection. Both arguments, `-rows` and `-columns`, must be given.
`-set` d_setObj	Adds only vias between stripes and the pins of the selected instances. No other connections are made. If neither `-set`, `-instances`, nor `-connect_to_top_level_pins` is given, vias are added at intersections of rings, rails, straps and stripes. No pin connections are made.
`-silent [ true \| false ]`
	When `true`, no messages are output. When `false`, all message types are output. Default: `false`
`-skip_via_checks` {`[same_net][diff_net][min_area][num_cuts] [extensions][min_edge ][stack_limit]`}
	If running the checker (`-use_checker true`/default), skip the via checks in the given list.
`-square_cut_array [ true \| false ]`
	If `true`, specifies a square cut array for each via, with an equal number of rows and columns. However, the cut array might not be square in size, depending on spacing rules. If the `minAdjacentViaSpacing` constraint is set, then the spacing of the cuts can be different in the X and Y directions, producing a cut array that is rectangular in dimension. The default is `false`, and does not require an equal number of rows and columns for the cut array.
`-tap_to_depth` i_tapToDepth
	Adds vias at the top level for interlayer connections between top-level shapes, and between top-level and lower-level shapes for each level of the hierarchy down to and including the specified depth. Default: Vias are added only at the top level for interlayer connections at the top level.
`-threads` i_count	Specifies the number of threads or processors to use for checking. By default, if multi-threading has been enabled, the session threads are used, otherwise, a single processor is used.
`-to {core_ring \| block_ring \| stripes \| cell_row_straps \| all}`
	Connects only to this rail type. Default: `all`
`-to_layer` s_layerName
	When used with `-from_layer`, connects only from the -`from_layer` metal layer to this layer. When used with `-pin_layers` or `-layers`, connects only from the given pin layers to this layer. Default: Connects to all layers
`-to_set` d_setObj	Connects only to objects in the given set.
`-undoable [ true \| false ]`
	Permits this command to be undone. Default is the current setting for the `proute.undoable` environment variable which defaults to `false` on startup.
`-use_checker [ true \| false ]`
	If `true`, runs the checker on new vias. If `false`, no checking is performed. Default: `true`
`-use_valid_routing_vias [ true \| false ]`
	If `true`, use the `validRoutingVias` constraint for vias to use. If `false`, create standard vias. Default: `false`
`-via_through [ true \| false ]`
	If `true`, adds vias from bottom-most to top-most rail layer. If `false`, first adds vias between adjacent rail layers. Default: `false`

Examples

The following example inserts vias at intersections of rings, rails, straps and strips for VSS and VDD, but no pin connections are made.

proute_via_insertion -nets {VDD VSS}

The following example only adds vias between VSS stripes and pins on the M4 layer of the selected instances.

proute_via_insertion -nets VSS -set [get_selection_set] -layers M4

The following example adds vias between VSS stripes and all pins of the selected instances.

proute_via_insertion -nets VSS -set [get_selection_set]

The following examples show how the cut array arguments can be used for different results.

Virtuoso Space-based Router Command Reference
Product Version IC23.1, September 2023