MCell Tcl Callbacks

SpringSoft recently added an MCell™ Tcl plug-in to the Laker Custom Layout System that allows you to create Tcl callbacks for manipulating MCell MOS devices when they are evaluated (realized) in layout.

If you are a user of the Laker Custom Layout system, you are familiar with our Magic Cell (MCell) technology. For the rest of you, MCells are a more advanced, flexible and dynamic way of generating optimized parameterized device layout. The five supported MCell device types are resistors, capacitors, transistors, contact/vias, and guard rings (although only transistors support these Tcl callbacks). Unlike traditional

MCell Flexibility

PCells, MCells are built into the Laker Custom Layout software, making scripts unnecessary. Because they are a fundamental part of the software, MCells offer a level of sophistication well beyond what is possible in a conventional PCell and are independent of the foundry, process, or technology being used. However, the same built-in nature of MCells that provides all of these benefits has traditionally limited what kind of customization was available.

To take MCells to the next level and to address changes needed for more advanced technologies, we added an MCell Tcl callback capability. Now you can use Tcl

Using Tcl callbacks to add contacts to an MCell MOS device

callback scripts to manipulate the MCell layout when it is evaluated (realized) in layout. Typical uses include adding poly contacts, substrate contacts, or dummy poly to a MOS device.

UsingTcl callbacks to add dummy poly to an MCell MOS device

How do I create MCell Tcl callbacks?

The callBack can be defined in the technology file using one of the following locations:

• In a subsection under the device section of tfLayoutMagicCellor;
• In a new section tfLayoutMagicCellCallBack.
  • This section defines Tcl scripts with the callBack and procPlugIn definitions and can be encrypted with the tfCompiler utility.

Parameters for the callback section can be changed from the Create Transistor and Transistor Attribute forms.

Create Transistor and Transistor Attribute forms

Conclusion

If you have been looking for a way to manipulate MCell MOS devices automatically, take a look at our new MCell Tcl callbacks. MCell MOS callbacks are available in Laker OA 2011.03 and will be part of the next Laker database release in Q3.