ICC2: 16. Final handoff Cheat Sheet

This stage covers final handoff: confirming tool and run identity, physical closure checks on the final block, saving and restoring the block and library, and writing the netlist, DEF, floorplan, stream, constraint and parasitic files delivered at tape-out.

Sanity check cheat sheet

One row per command card. Read left to right: the check, the command that answers it, then what a healthy result, a result to review and a hard stop look like.

Card	Check and when	Command	Healthy	Review	Hard stop
Z-01	Run identity Start of hand-off	`report_versions`	Tool and IC Validator versions are recorded and compatible.	Versions differ from earlier runs, with a recorded reason.	Versions are unknown or incompatible.
Z-02	Physical closure On the final block	`check_legality` `check_routes` `check_lvs`	The block is legal and routed with no opens or shorts, and the run is on the block being delivered.	Waived items are listed with approvals.	Any open, short or illegal cell.
Z-03	Signoff DRC Final block saved	`save_block` `signoff_check_drc`	Zero errors per rule against the final runset.	Waived rules are approved by the owner.	Errors outside the waivers, or a stale runset.
Z-04	Save and restore Before export	`save_block` `save_lib <lib>`	The saved block reopens with no error.	Reopening was not tested in a clean session.	A restore error or missing library data.
Z-05	Netlist export After final ECO	`write_verilog` †	The netlist was written from the final block, with PG as the project needs.	The netlist was written before the last ECO and is regenerated.	The netlist differs from the saved block.
Z-06	DEF and floorplan files After final ECO	`write_def` `write_floorplan`	Both files read back cleanly, and the floorplan file carries the routing blockages.	Cut metals are present, so version 5.8 is used for DEF.	The files were written from a stale block.
Z-07	Stream files Tape-out hand-off	`write_gds` `write_oasis`	Every layer is mapped, fill is included, and the cut metal option is used when cut metals exist.	Fill is in a separate file by agreement.	A layer is unmapped, or the unit is wrong.
Z-08	Constraints and parasitics With the database	`write_sdc` `write_script -format icc2` `write_parasitics` †	Constraints per mode and parasitics per corner match the delivered block.	The script file carries what the SDC cannot.	A mode or corner is missing.
Z-09	Rail record Final	`analyze_rail -voltage_drop static -nets {VDD VSS}` `analyze_rail -electromigration`	Drop and current results are within the project budget and archived.	The results come from an earlier database revision.	Violations exceed the budget, or there is no result.

Command cheat sheet

ICC2 commands. Angle brackets are placeholders, and values shown are examples, not project limits. A dagger (†) marks a command the notes behind this book do not fully cover; it is shown without options, so confirm it with man or help in your release.

Run identity
`report_versions`	Versions of the tool and linked components, for checking IC Validator compatibility.
`report_design -routing`	Final wiring statistics for the delivery record.
Closure checks on the final database
`check_legality`	Placement legality.
`check_routes`	Routing DRC, opens and antenna.
`check_lvs`	Shorts, opens and floating shapes.
`signoff_check_drc`	IC Validator DRC on the saved block.
`check_boundary_cells`	Boundary and corner cell completeness.
Save and restore
`save_block`	Writes the block. Changes the session; record it.
`save_lib <lib>`	Writes the library.
`open_block <block>`	Reopens the saved block to test the restore.
Netlist, DEF and floorplan
`write_verilog` †	Netlist of the final block.
`write_def`	DEF of the block. With cut metals, use the 5.8 version option.
`write_floorplan`	Floorplan script including routing blockages.
`write_routes`	Tcl script reproducing metal shapes and vias, without blockages.
Stream files
`write_gds`	GDSII stream of the block.
`write_oasis`	OASIS stream of the block.
`write_gds -connect_below_cut_metal`	GDSII including cut metal connection, when cut metals exist.
Constraints, parasitics and power
`write_sdc`	Constraints per mode.
`write_script -format icc2`	Constraint script holding latency offsets the SDC omits.
`write_parasitics` †	Parasitics per corner.
`analyze_rail -voltage_drop static -nets {VDD VSS}`	Static IR drop result for the archive.
`analyze_rail -electromigration`	PG electromigration result for the archive.