Analog layout synthesis requires some elements in the circuit netlist to be matched and placed symmetrically. However, the set of symmetries is very circuit-specific and a versatile algorithm, applicable to a broad variety of circuits, has been elusive. This paper presents a general methodology for the automated generation of symmetry constraints, and applies these constraints to guide automated layout synthesis. While prior approaches were restricted to identifying simple symmetries, the proposed method operates hierarchically and uses graph-based algorithms to extract multiple axes of symmetry within a circuit. An important ingredient of the algorithm is its ability to identify arrays of repeated structures. In some circuits, the repeated structures are not perfect replicas and can only be found through approximate graph matching. A fast graph neural network based methodology is developed for this purpose, based on evaluating the graph edit distance. The utility of this algorithm is demonstrated on a variety of circuits, including operational amplifiers, data converters, equalizers, and low-noise amplifiers.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.