NAME

       qrouter - Multi-level, over-the-cell maze router

SYNOPSIS

       qrouter [-noc] [-s scriptname] [options] [design_name]

DESCRIPTION

       This manual page documents briefly the qrouter command.

       Qrouter  is  a  tool to generate metal layers and vias to physically connect together a netlist in a VLSI
       fabrication technology. It is a maze router, otherwise known as an  "over-the-cell"  router  or  "sea-of-
       gates"  router.  That is, unlike a channel router, it begins with a description of placed standard cells,
       usually packed together at minimum spacing, and places metal routes over the standard cells.

       Qrouter uses the open standard LEF and  DEF  formats  as  file  input  and  output.  It  takes  the  cell
       definitions  from  a  LEF  file,  and analyzes the geometry for each cell to determine contact points and
       route obstructions. It then reads the cell placement,  pin  placement,  and  netlist  from  a  DEF  file,
       performs the detailed route, and writes an annotated DEF file as output.

USAGE

       Qrouter can run be run in several ways:

       1.  Interactive  mode.  If  qrouter is started without any options, a tkcon window will be opened with an
           interpreter where commands may be entered.

       2.  Normal batch mode. This mode is activated if a tcl script is given with the "-s" option.  It  can  be
           run with or without a graphical window. If "-noc" is given, no graphical window will appear.

           Run without graphical window:
            qrouter -noc -s routescript.tcl

           Run with a graphical window showing the layout while it is routing:
            qrouter -s routescript.tcl

       3.  Compatibility  mode  with  qrouter  1.1.  This mode is activated if either of the options "-c", "-v",
           "-i", "-p" or "-g" are given. This is a batch mode.

OPTIONS

       -noc   No console mode

       -s <scriptname>
              Run scriptname

COMPATIBILITY MODE

       -c <file>
              Configuration file name (if not route.cfg)

       -v <level>
              Verbose output level

       -i <name>
              Print route names and pitches and exit

       -p <name>
              Specify global power bus name

       -g <name>
              Specify global ground bus name

INPUT

       The input files for qrouter is an unrouted or partly routed .def file containing the layout  and  a  .cfg
       file  containing  the  tcl script used to do the routing. The .cfg file also needs to specify a .lef file
       describing the technology.

OUTPUT

       qrouter will output the fully routed .def file (if successful routing). This may then later be  converted
       to a GDSII file using tools such as magic.

SEE ALSO

       qflow(1)

AUTHOR

       qrouter was written by Tim Edwards <tim@opencircuitdesign.com>.

       This  manual page was written by Ruben Undheim <ruben.undheim@gmail.com>, for the Debian project (and may
       be used by others).

                                                 19 October 2019                                      QROUTER(1)