1

Stick Diagrams

by
N.NagaRaju,
Assistant Professor,
Dept of E&C Engg.,
IARE, Hyderabad.
Stick Diagrams
2
Stick Diagrams
N+ N+
Stick Diagrams
3
Stick Diagrams
Gnd
V
DD
x
x
X
X
X
X
V
DD
x
x
Gnd


Stick
Diagra
m
Stick Diagrams
4
Stick Diagrams
Gnd
V
DD
x
x
X
X
X
X
V
DD
x
x
Gnd
Stick Diagrams
5
Stick Diagrams
VLSI design aims to translate circuit concepts
onto silicon.
stick diagrams are a means of capturing
topography and layer information using
simple diagrams.
Stick diagrams convey layer information
through colour codes (or monochrome
encoding).
Acts as an interface between symbolic circuit
and the actual layout.
Stick Diagrams
6
Stick Diagrams

Does show all components/vias.
It shows relative placement of components.
Goes one step closer to the layout
Helps plan the layout and routing
A stick diagram is a cartoon of a layout.
Stick Diagrams
7
Stick Diagrams

Does not show
Exact placement of components
Transistor sizes
Wire lengths, wire widths, tub boundaries.
Any other low level details such as parasitics..
Stick Diagrams
8
Stick Diagrams Notations
Metal 1
poly
ndiff
pdiff
Stick Diagrams
Similarly for contacts, via, tub etc..
Stick Diagrams Notations
9
Stick Diagrams
NMOS ENCODING
Stick Diagrams Notations
10
Stick Diagrams
CMOS
ENCODING
11
Stick Diagrams Some rules
Rule 1.
When two or more sticks of the same type cross
or touch each other that represents electrical
contact.

Stick Diagrams
12
Stick Diagrams Some rules
Rule 2.
When two or more sticks of different type cross
or touch each other there is no electrical contact.
(If electrical contact is needed we have to show the connection
explicitly).
Stick Diagrams
13
Stick Diagrams Some rules
Rule 3.
When a poly crosses diffusion it represents a
transistor.
Note: If a contact is shown then it is not a transistor.
Stick Diagrams
14
Stick Diagrams Some rules
Rule 4.
In CMOS a demarcation line is drawn to avoid
touching of p-diff with n-diff. All pMOS must lie
on one side of the line and all nMOS will have
to be on the other side.
Stick Diagrams
STI CK DI AGRAMS
Examples of Stick Diagrams
Gnd
V
DD
x
x
X
X
X
X
V
DD
x
x
Gnd
15
16
Stick Diagrams(NMOS): Basic Steps

Normally, the first step is to draw two parallel metal (blue) VDD and
GND rails.
There should be enough space between them for other circuit
elements.
Next, Active (Green) paths must be drawn for required transistors.
Do not forget to mark contacts as , wherever required.
Remember, Poly (Red) crosses Active (Green), where transistor is
required.
For depletion mode FET, draw required implants (yellow).
Label each transistor with L/W ratio.
Stick Diagrams
How to draw Stick Diagrams
17
Inverter Using MOSFET

Enhancement-Mode MOSFETs act as switches.

They are switched OFF, when the input to gate is low.

So, they can be used to pull the output down.

Now, for pull-up, we can use a resistor.

But resistors consume larger area.

Another alternative is using MOSFET as pull-up.
Stick Diagrams
How to draw Stick Diagrams
18
Inverter Using MOSFET


Stick Diagrams
How to draw Stick Diagrams
19
Inverter Using MOSFET

The pull-up MOSFET can be Enhancement-mode or
Depletion mode.
Enhancement-mode as pull-up:
To use Enhancement-mode FET as active load, the gate
should be connected to a separate gate bias voltage.
Depletion mode as pull-up:
Depletion-Mode FET has a channel with zero gate-bias.
They will not turn-off until sufficient reverse bias is applied
to its gate.
To be used as a load, the gate should be connected to
source.
Stick Diagrams
How to draw Stick Diagrams
20
Aspect Ratio For Pull-up and Pulldown

The aspect ratio of Pull-up and Pull-down is known as
Inverter Ratio.
When a we draw a stick diagram, inverter ratio should be
mentioned for all the MOSFET.
Z
PU
can also be called as (L/W)U and Z
PD
as (L/W) D.
Therefore,
if MOSFETs are connected in series, the effective
L/W = (L/W)
1
+(L/W)
2
+.
if MOSFETs are connected in parallel, the effective
L/W = (L/W)
1
= (L/W)
2
Stick Diagrams
How to draw Stick Diagrams
21
NMOS Inverter: Enhancement load
(Circuit Diagram)
Stick Diagrams
How to draw Stick Diagrams
22
NMOS Inverter: Enhancement load
(Stick Diagram)
Stick Diagrams
How to draw Stick Diagrams
STI CK DI AGRAMS
NMOS Inverter: Depletion load
(Stick Diagram)
V
out


V
dd
= 5V


V
in


* Note the depletion mode device
23
STI CK DI AGRAMS
NMOS NAND and NOR




NMOS NAND NMOS NOR

Two nmos in series. Two nmos in parallel.
Gate delay and area increases
with increase in no of inputs. NOR works quite well for any
no of inputs.

Length also increases with increase
in no of input. Width is proportional to number
of inputs.

NMOS NAND is slower for same
no of inputs and power dissipation. NMOS NOR is faster for same
no of inputs and power dissipation.

24
STI CK DI AGRAMS
Examples of Stick Diagrams
NOR gate and NAND using NMOS Transistors
25
STI CK DI AGRAMS
Examples of Stick Diagrams
f= [(xy) +z] using NMOS Transistors
26
27
Stick Diagrams(CMOS): Basic Steps

Steps for CMOS are similar to NMOS.
But one difference is that depletion mode FETs are not used.
Here, yellow is used to identify PMOS.
The two types of FET, n and p, are separated in the diagram by the
demarcation line.
This line represents the p-well.
Above this line all p-type MOSFETs are there.
Below this line n-type MOSFET are present.
Stick Diagrams
How to draw Stick Diagrams
28
Stick Diagrams(CMOS): Rules

Diffusion path must not cross demarcation line.
N-diffusion and p-diffusion wires must not be joined.
The n and p are generally joined using a metal wire.
So, the first step is to draw two parallel rails for Vdd and GND.
Next draw a demarcation line and place all p-type above and n-type
below this line.
Connect them using wires.
Only metal and polysilicon can cross demarcation line.
Stick Diagrams
How to draw Stick Diagrams
29
How to draw Stick Diagrams
Stick Diagrams
STI CK DI AGRAMS
Examples of Stick Diagrams
30
STI CK DI AGRAMS
Examples of Stick Diagrams
31
STI CK DI AGRAMS
Examples of Stick Diagrams
32
33
Examples of Stick Diagrams
Power
Ground
B
C
Out
A
Stick Diagrams
34
END of Stick Diagrams
Stick Diagrams