July 2009 - TOOL Corp. Announces New Release to Layout Visualization Platform, LAVIS

Tokyo, Japan - July 2, 2009 - TOOL Corporation (headquarters in Tokyo Japan, president Hideaki Hontao) announced the release of LAVIS Version 9.0, their layout visualization platform software. This version incorporates a simple design check function with an area specification, as well as function additions and expansions to flexibly support various layout design verification scenes, such as a further expansion of the node tracing function and enhancements of various measurement functions, which are among the basic functions of the viewer.

In this version, a great variety of functions have been added and existing functions have been enhanced.
The main additions and enhancements are described below.

 (1) Incorporation of a simple check function
      This function enables checking of the wiring width and spacing within a
      specified area, so that a simple rule check can now be performed more easily
      than with the conventional check function using the node tracing function.
      The function also enables checking of slivers and calculation of the coverage
      within a specified area. These checks are performed in accordance with the
      simple rule definition created by the user. This has further increased the
      value of LAVIS as a "simple design checker" in stages far ahead of the sign-
      off process.

 (2) Expansion of the node tracing function
      The existing node tracing function with multiple area specifications has been
      expanded so that the names of the areas through which the traced nodes pass
      can now be displayed on a node list. This makes it possible to easily determine
      the areas through which the traced nodes pass while switching areas in the view
      between display and hide, which is useful to narrowing down and identifying
      faulty locations. It is also now possible to perform an analysis by reflecting
      net names if a DEF is used. Moreover, it is now possible to control an unintend-
      ed trace by specifying the number of vias per connection in advance.

 (3) Diversification of measurement functions
      To flexibly support layouts containing oblique wiring, it is now possible to
      calculate the angle formed by two selected sides. For the measurement of the
      distance between two sides, the measurement results can be moved to any
      locations in the view to make them more easily viewable. Also, measurement
      functions, which are among the basic functions of the viewer, have been
      diversified. For example, a pitch measurement function is incorporated, among
      others, whereby in cases where there are closely spaced nets, as exemplified
      by BUS wiring, the position of a specific wire can be easily determined.

In addition to above features, this new version offers many other new functions and improvements including cache file management function, enhanced simple edit and 3D view functions (optional) and further enhancement in density map display function.

"In this version upgrade, we have added functions useful to failure analysis, expanded the basic functions that LAVIS provides as a viewer, and enriched other functions to flexibly support diversifying layouts," said Hideaki Hontao, president of TOOL. "We intend to add more functions and expand existing ones to support diversifying layouts in the future."

About LAVIS

LAVIS is a versatile and ultra-high speed layout visualization platform that supports large data and multiple file formats. Its unique display method, coupled with memory management technology, efficiently enables large volume data handling and fast display. Most importantly, LAVIS can be used as a common standard layout platform for all the IC processes such as design, verification, mask data preparation, inspection and failure analysis, thanks to its capability to support various data formats, including GDS, OASIS, LEF/DEF and e-beam thereby making it easy to interface with other tools for the entire IC making flow.

About TOOL

TOOL is a Japanese software development company focused primarily on EDA tool development. Its particular strength is in the area of layout design, and has scored a number of achievements in this area with its development tool, LAVIS and MaskStudio. Solutions to chipmakers' problems can be provided by combining TOOL’s package-software with its custom-tailored software developed to serve a customer’s particular need. TOOL provides ample experience in this particular area. For more information on TOOL and products, please refer to http://www.tool-corp.com/.

Contact:

TOOL Corporation
Asako Nakane
Marketing Group
+ 81-3-5723-8144
marketing@tool.co.jp

Product Inquiry:

TOOL America, Inc.
408-351-3351
info@tool-corp.com