NXCompare : Cross Format Layout/Mask Data Equivalence Checker

NxCompare is a fast and versatile comparison tool that can be used to compare any two Layout or Mask databases (Layout vs Layout, Layout vs Mask or Mask vs Mask). NxCompare is a distributed processing application based on SoftJin’s proven and widely deployed Nirmaan software development platform. NxCompare also includes high performance Boolean, resizing and other geometrical operations.

Key Benefits
  • Better price and performance compared to standard DRC tools for comparison of large, crossformat layout/mask databases
  • Supports all major industry standard Layout and Mask data standards
  • Very fast turnaround time for large, cross format databases
  • Leverages distributed computing as well as multi-core infrastructure
  • Includes high performance Boolean and re-sizing functions
  • Affordable distributed computing on low cost Linux machines (32/ 64 bit)

Key Features
  • Unlimited data handling capacity
    • Can handle equivalent of hundreds of GBs of GDSII data
    • No restrictions on design hierarchy – handles a mix of flat and hierarchical designs
  • Fast turn-around time using distributed processing on inexpensive compute grids
    • Compares multiple GBs per minute of GDSII equivalent data
    • Scales nicely for larger size data
  • Cross format comparison support for multiple layout and mask data standards
    • Layout data formats - GDSII, OASIS
    • E-beam formats - MEBES, OASIS.MASK, VSB-11/12 and JEOL
    • MIC, Gerber
    • Customized EBDW formats
    • Bitmap data (image data)
  • Advanced set of user control option
    • Built-in Boolean functions required for layout equivalence checking of geometrical layers
    • User defined tolerance limit to filter out nuisance errors
    • De-staircasing function to filter out differences caused due to approximation of all-angle geometries in pre-fracture data
    • Scaling, rotation, translation, mirroring and tone reversal
    • Full-chip, Window-specific, Cell-specific, Layer-specific equivalence checking
    • TCL scripting allows quick customization and integration in to existing design and verification flows
  • Supports multiple error database formats for popular Viewers to efficiently navigate and view and analyze the differences
Usage Scenarios
NxCompare could be used very effectively in a variety of use scenarios including:
  • Quick equivalence checking of layout databases in the back-end design flow by allowing layout comparisons at different levels of abstractions
    • Full-chip, Window-specific, Cell-specific, Layer-specific comparison
  • Data Verification and Analysis in the Mask Data Flow
    • Independent verification of fracturing results (in formats for Mask Writer or Mask Inspection) with original layout data (in GDSII/OASIS formats). De-slivering and de-staircasing allow separating the expected differences from unexpected differences
    • Comparing EB data after re-fracturing / format conversion
    • Overlaying and Comparison of Mask Inspection / SEM image data with original Layout
  • Comparison of split data files with merged / original data
    • PSM data, Double patterning
  • Qualification / regression testing of new post-layout tools and internally developed tools and utilities
  • Comparing geometrical databases from different sources
    • Databases generated by different tools
    • Databases in different data formats
    • Databases in different versions of similar data
Designed by The Scribble