June 2010 - TOOL Corp. Announces New Release to Layout Visualization Platform, LAVIS

Tokyo, Japan - June 11, 2010 - TOOL Corporation (headquarters in Tokyo Japan, president Hideaki Hontao) announced the release of LAVIS Version 10.0, their layout visualization platform software. In this version, the new "Route Trace function" has been incorporated that makes it possible to display timing information and easily and visually check the clock tree and other elements. The node tracing function, which allows wire width, inter-node spacing, and other rule checks to be made on a traced node, has been improved as well. These and other enhancements make LAVIS even more useful in reducing design TAT.

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) Addition of the Route Trace function
      The new "Route Trace function" has been incorporated that allows efficient route
      tracing from a specified component in LEF/DEF data. This function is very useful in
      checking a route that has caused a timing violation as well as in narrowing down
      routes to find the faulty one.

 (2) Expansion of the node tracing function
      As part of the node tracing function, a new function has been added that auto-
      matically detects a location where the resistance becomes high at the contact
      connection point. This function makes it easy to check whether the resistance
      assumed as an electrical characteristic is realized at a contact point.

 (3) Expansion of the width/spacing measurement functions 
      The measurement function automatically judges whether figures are present or
      not at measured points, enabling measurement results to be output in a way that
      distinguishes between L and S. Also, at the request of the customer, an optional
      function can be offered separately that automatically measures the width and
      spacing of multiple locations based on given coordinates.

In addition to the above, a number of function expansions have been made, including the addition of a new measurement function that measures the distance between centers of multiple figures, the inclusion of a marker grouping function that lets you change the colors and widths of multiple markers or move them simultaneously, the support for OASIS data for the logical operation function, and the enhancement of the optional simple edit and 3D view functions.

Hideaki Hontao, president of TOOL, said, "In this version upgrade, we have added functions that enable LAVIS to be used as an auxiliary tool for timing and fault analysis as well. We intend to continue to determine customer needs accurately and promptly in the future, and add more functions and expand existing ones so that customers can use LAVIS in various fields."
 

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
Corporate Marketing
+ 81-3-5723-8144       
marketing@tool.co.jp

Product Inquiry:

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