Generation of random channel specifications for channel routing problem

Abstract

In this paper we develop algorithms for generating random channel specifications of channel routing problem in VLSI design. A channel is a rectangular routing region containing two sets of fixed terminals on two of its opposite sides and the other two opposite sides (of the rectangle) are open ends, may or may not contain any terminal of a net but the terminal position is not fixed before a routing solution is computed. Most of the problems in two-, three-, and multi-layer channel routing are beyond polynomial time computable. Hence for each of these problems it is unlikely to design a polynomial time deterministic algorithm. Developing heuristic algorithm might be a probable way out that hopefully provides good solutions for most of the instances occur in practice. Novelty of a heuristic algorithm is judged better if it works for a variety of large number of randomly generated instances of the problem. In fact, convergence of results of a heuristic algorithm is well established when the algorithm of a problem is executed for a huge number of randomly generated similar instances and the final result is computed making an average on all of them.