Leveraging the Advantages of OASIS Files
The OASIS format (Open Artwork System Interchange Standard) was introduced to address the growing complexity of chip design layouts and to overcome the limitations of the aging GDSII format. While it offers immense potential for more compact, efficient layout descriptions, not all OASIS usage is created equal.
OASIS is highly flexible — which is both its strength and its risk. It’s possible to encode data in ways that mimic GDSII, offering little to no gain. On the other hand, advanced usage can lead to substantial reductions in file size, faster processing, and better mask data preparation performance — if you know how to leverage it properly.
With more than 25 years of experience in layout finishing and mask data prep — and 17 years since we published our first white paper on OASIS — our team has seen nearly every possible use (and misuse) of the format.
In our latest article, we share:
- Which encoding strategies provide the most benefit
- Common pitfalls that reduce OASIS efficiency
- How to align your use of OASIS with modern computing capabilities
- Real-world insights from production environments
Whether you’re a design engineer, data prep specialist, or tool developer, understanding how to properly apply OASIS can lead to measurable improvements in your flow.
Thanks to Frederic Brault and Philippe Morey-Chaisemartin for contributing their deep expertise.
Read the full article here:
https://www.eetimes.eu/leveraging-the-advantages-of-oasis-files/
#semiconductors #EDA #chipdesign #OASIS #GDSII #maskdataprep #layoutoptimization
