Method and apparatus for normalizing thermal gradients over semiconductor chip designs

Abstract

A method and apparatus for normalizing thermal gradients over semiconductor chip designs is provided. One embodiment of a novel method for normalizing an expected thermal gradient includes determining a location of the thermal gradient in the semiconductor chip design and inserting at least one supplemental heat source into the semiconductor chip design such that the thermal gradient is normalized by heat dissipated by the supplemental heat source.

1 . A method for normalizing a thermal gradient in a semiconductor chip design, the method comprising:
 determining a location of said thermal gradient; and   inserting at least one supplemental heat source into said semiconductor chip design such that said thermal gradient is normalized by heat dissipated by said at least one supplemental heat source.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said determining is performed in accordance with full-chip temperature data for said semiconductor chip design. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said inserting comprises:
 selecting a location for said at least one supplemental heat source; and   assigning a power value to said at least one supplemental heat source.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said thermal gradient occurs between a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device that is cooler than said first semiconductor device. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said selecting comprises:
 positioning said at least one supplemental heat source to mirror a position of at least one of said first semiconductor device and said second semiconductor device.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 computing full-chip temperature data for said semiconductor chip design, including said at least one supplemental heat source; and   adjusting said power value if said thermal gradient exceeds a design constraint applicable to said semiconductor chip design.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said adjusting comprises:
 increasing said power value by an amount substantially equal to a difference in temperature between said first semiconductor device and said second semiconductor device multiplied by a thermal conductivity of a material separating said at least one supplemental heat source from said second semiconductor device multiplied by a shape factor of said material.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said assigning comprises:
 assigning said power value to account for a worst-case condition for said thermal gradient.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said assigning comprises:
 adjusting said power value in real time in response to a measured state of heat dissipation within said semiconductor chip design.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one supplemental heat source is a controlled power source that is configured to dissipate a known amount of heat. 
   
   
       11 . A computer readable medium containing an executable program for normalizing a thermal gradient in a semiconductor chip design, where the program performs the steps of
 determining a location of said thermal gradient; and   inserting at least one supplemental heat source into said semiconductor chip design such that said thermal gradient is normalized by heat dissipated by said at least one supplemental heat source.   
   
   
       12 . The computer readable medium of  claim 11 , wherein said determining is performed in accordance with full-chip temperature data for said semiconductor chip design. 
   
   
       13 . The computer readable medium of  claim 11 , wherein said inserting comprises:
 selecting a location for said at least one supplemental heat source; and   assigning a power value to said at least one supplemental heat source.   
   
   
       14 . The computer readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein said thermal gradient occurs between a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device that is cooler than said first semiconductor device. 
   
   
       15 . The computer readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein said selecting comprises:
 positioning said at least one supplemental heat source to mirror a position of at least one of said first semiconductor device and said second semiconductor device.   
   
   
       16 . The computer readable medium of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 computing full-chip temperature data for said semiconductor chip design, including said at least one supplemental heat source; and   adjusting said power value if said thermal gradient exceeds a design constraint applicable to said semiconductor chip design.   
   
   
       17 . The computer readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein said adjusting comprises:
 increasing said power value by an amount substantially equal to a difference in temperature between said first semiconductor device and said second semiconductor device multiplied by a thermal conductivity of a material separating said at least one supplemental heat source from said second semiconductor device multiplied by a shape factor of said material.   
   
   
       18 . The computer readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein said assigning comprises:
 assigning said power value to account for a worst-case condition for said thermal gradient.   
   
   
       19 . The computer readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein said assigning comprises:
 adjusting said power value in real time in response to a measured state of heat dissipation within said semiconductor chip design.   
   
   
       20 . The computer readable medium of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one supplemental heat source is a controlled power source that is configured to dissipate a known amount of heat. 
   
   
       21 . Apparatus for normalizing a thermal gradient in a semiconductor chip design, the apparatus comprising:
 means for determining a location of said thermal gradient; and   means for inserting at least one supplemental heat source into said semiconductor chip design such that said thermal gradient is normalized by heat dissipated by said at least one supplemental heat source.