Enabling application-specific integrated circuits on limited pattern constructs

Implementing sub-22nm designs using a limited set of pattern constructs can eliminate hotspot risk and can control systematic variability. Pattern regularity can incur a cell-level density penalty that is minimized or eliminated by co-optimization with circuits. More importantly, design with a limited set of pattern constructs can remove the limitations imposed by complex design rules, thus facilitating flexible synthesis of logic and memory blocks in place of hard IP.