CIF (Caltech Intermediate Form) and GDSII (GDS) stream formats are standard layout description languages used to transfer mask-level layouts between organizations(fab) and design tools.
What is a GDS file?
Integrated Circuit (IC) design is produced using a variety of CAD software; it comprises details on a circuit’s structure, including its layers, geometric features, and text labels. It is used as a common format for data exchange between IC design software.
The GDS II format, which was first devised by Calma, is used to create GDS files. They are sometimes referred to as Calma streams as a result. Cadence Design Systems now owns and maintains the GDS file format.
Import GDS File
If you are importing a GDS file
CIW -> File -> Import -> stream
What is the GDS file used for?
The GDS (Graphic Data Stream) file format was created by the calma corporation in 1971, followed by the GDS II in 1978. It is a binary file format that uses a hierarchical structure to represent layout data. information about layers, labels, forms, and other geometric 2D and 3D layout data.
What is the data type of GDSII?
The de facto industry standard for data interchange of integrated circuits or IC layout artwork is a database file format called GDS II. It is a binary file format that hierarchically organizes planar geometric forms, text labels, and other layout-related data.
What is a CIF file?
CIF (Caltech Intermediate Form) is an ASCII file format designed by Caltech (now California Institute of Technology) for IC designs.
Similar to how GDSII or OASIS files may be imported and saved, CIF files can also do the same. There are a few choices that are unique to the CIF file format. The SetupDialog allows for setting all parameters. There are these alternatives.
Import CIF File
If you are importing a CIF file
CIW -> File -> Import -> CIF
What is the role of ERC in VLSI?
ERC means Electrical rule check
- Floating devices,
- Floating gates, pins, and metal(nets
- Connecting high voltages to the thin gates
- Floating wells.
- Allowed series pass gates
- Minimum n-well widths
