Mask Layout Fundamentals with Cadence Virtuoso

• Introduction to Mask Design
  • How layout/mask layers relate to a fabrication process
  • Role of mask design in IC fabrication flow.
• Getting Started with Cadence Virtuoso
  • Starting the environment and workspace basics.
  • Overview of the layout editor vs. schematic views.
  • Technology file and PDK basics.
• Library and Cell Structure
  • Library manager navigation.
  • Creating a new layout cell.

• Layout Primitives
  • Drawing rectangles, polygons, paths, and wires.
  • Layer selection and visualization.
• Basic Editing Techniques
  • Move, resize, stretch, and property edits.
  • Snap patterns and grid setup for correct alignment.
• Manual Layout Example
  • Simple device (e.g., transistor) layout.
  • Understanding masks for each layer.

• Design Rule Concepts
  • What design rules are and why they matter.
  • Mapping rules to mask constraints.
• DRD Editing in Virtuoso
  • Design-Rule Driven editing fundamentals.
• Track-Based and Snap-Pattern Techniques
  • Introduction to width spacing patterns (WSPs) and snap patterns.
• Hands-on Practice
  • Applying the rules to layout test patterns.

Rule-driven editing reduces selected errors but does not establish complete correctness; checks depend on the PDK, configured rules and tool support.

• Routing Techniques in Virtuoso
  • Interactive and assisted routing.
  • Selected point-to-point and differential-routing concepts where supported
• Connectivity & Checks
  • DRC concepts and running rule checks within Virtuoso.
  • Layout vs schematic consistency checks (LVS overview).
• Introduction to Parasitic Extraction and Checks
  • Concept of extraction views and their relevance.

Run selected checks on the teaching example, distinguish geometry checks from circuit equivalence, and record issues rather than treating a passed basic exercise as signoff.

• Overview of Advanced Packaging Flows
  • What EMIB is and how it relates to mask design.
  • Interaction between multi-die interconnect and layout/mask planning.
• Virtuoso bridge-layout role in an illustrative EMIB flow
  • Bridge signal, power and ground routing; distinguish this from separate package placement/routing tools
  • High-level signal/power and layer-planning considerations
• Integration with Other Tools
  • Distinguish Pegasus physical-verification/signoff checks from Sigrity signal/power-integrity analysis; tool access and flows are setup-dependent
• Review & Wrap-Up
  • Summary of key learnings.
  • Tips to continue self-study and real project practice.

Review an illustrative EMIB tool flow: Virtuoso bridge routing, separate package design, system planning, electrical/thermal analysis and signoff checks. No access to a proprietary production PDK or complete foundry-qualified flow is implied.