CHESHIRE: An Object-Oriented Integration of VLSI CAD Tools

We present an approach to the integration of VLSI CAD tools through the uniformization of interactions with design cells at both the user and the program levels. The integration model is based on the concept of objects applied to circuit cells. User interactions are achieved through a desk-top-like graphics interface. Regrouping of related or equivalent cell-objects into tissues represented by a generic cell helps with their management. Late binding of specific version cells then encourages exploration of the design space. To test the integration concept, a data base and tools for symbolic layout were developed.