Expert compactor: a knowledge-based application in VLSI layout compaction

A new application of artificial intelligence techniques in automatic compaction design for a VLSI mask layout is presented. To overcome the shortcomings of iterative search through a large problem space within a working memory, and therefore, to speed up the runtime of compaction, a set of rule-based region query operations and knowledge-based techniques for the plane sweep method are presented in this system. Experimental results have explored the possibility of using expert system technology to automate the compaction process by reasoning about the layout design, applying the sophisticated expert rules to its knowledge base.