Design Migration isn’t just a sprint – It’s a heptathlon

By Thalia

June 24, 2025

When migrating analog ICs to a new node, the complexity isn’t in just one task—it’s in all of them. From device analysis and selection to schematic porting, layout transformation to parasitic-aware verification, each step has unique challenges.  Among these, adapting the metal stack stands out as a particularly intricate and often underestimated aspect of the migration process.

Why is the Metal Stack such a problem?

The metal stack defines how signals, power, and ground move through the chip. Each process node— offers different metal counts, materials, thicknesses, and fill rules. Even a seemingly small change—like needing to promote a net to a higher layer—can potentially trigger:

• DRC violations
• Via resistance concerns
• Crosstalk and shielding issues
• Violations of metal density and CMP rules
• Rework in layout and full-chip LVS/PEX verifications

For analog designers, who rely on predictable parasitics and symmetry, this can significantly disrupt performance. It’s not copy-paste. It’s weeks of re-engineering.

This is where Thalia’s AMALIA Platform excels

AMALIA doesn’t promise a one-click fix—instead, it blends intelligent automation with domain-specific design expertise.
When modifying the metal stack during IC migration, AMALIA addresses current density and electromigration challenges with a robust, verification-aware workflow that:

• Tracks and enforces design rule constraints and routing configurations to optimize via array placement as part of layout changes.
• Automates design rule corrections with minimal manual intervention, leveraging two AI-assisted algorithms—one for accurate DRC recognition and another for intelligent DRC fixing.
• Ensures electromagnetic conformance after changes to the vias array and connections to the top metal layer.
• Maintains compliance with DRC, LVS, and PEX checks throughout the process.

Our approach respects the analog engineer’s need for control while dramatically reducing effort and risk.  Where a manual approach will take many days or several weeks, AMALIA will help you achieve the Metal Stack changes to hours or a few days.

Think of AMALIA as your AI powered IC design migration co-pilot—one that doesn’t get tired, skip checks, or overlook corner cases.

If the IC industry hosted a Design Migration Heptathlon, AMALIA wouldn’t just compete—it would take first in every event.