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).

                                         16 February 2021                              QROUTER(1)