Cell (EDA)

A cell in the context of electronic design automation (EDA) is an abstract representation of a component within a schematic diagram or physical layout of an electronic circuit in software.^[1]

A cell-based design methodology is a technique that enables designers to analyze chip designs at varying levels of abstraction. For example, one designer may focus on the logical function (high-level) and another may concentrate on physical implementation (low-level). The technique also enables designers to reuse components in more complex designs without understanding all of the implementation details.^{[citation needed]}

^ Jansen, Dirk, ed. (2003). The Electronic Design Automation Handbook. Boston, MA: Springer US. p. 37. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-73543-6. ISBN 978-1-4419-5369-8. In a modern design flow logic design is automatic and will be done by logic synthesis tools. To simplify electrical and geometrical design (layout) of digital ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) basic cells are taken from a cell library rather than designing individual circuit elements.

[1] Jansen, Dirk, ed. (2003). The Electronic Design Automation Handbook. Boston, MA: Springer US. p. 37. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-73543-6. ISBN 978-1-4419-5369-8. In a modern design flow logic design is automatic and will be done by logic synthesis tools. To simplify electrical and geometrical design (layout) of digital ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) basic cells are taken from a cell library rather than designing individual circuit elements.

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