Packing-based VLSI module placement using genetic algorithm with sequence-pair representation

Abstract

The sequence-pair, a data structure with applications in packing-based VLSI module placement, has received significant amounts of research effort as the core of simulated annealing optimisers. Nevertheless, its application within genetic algorithm frameworks has not been adequately investigated. This paper presents a genetic algorithm approach to rectangle packing using the sequence-pair. The method is extended to handle symmetry constraints, a requirement often arising in the placement of analogue circuits. Genetic operators are developed taking into account the specific properties of the sequence-pair, and the algorithm is tested on several MCNC benchmarks.