QUILT: a GUI-based integrated circuit floorplanning environment for computer architecture research and education

In this paper, we describe a graphic editing tool called QUILT ( Q uick U tility for I ntegrated circuit L ayout and Temperature modeling). QUILT permits users to rapidly build floorplans of integrated circuits, providing both a visual aid as well as an input to the HotSpot simulator. The tool provides numerous features for estimating circuit performance, such as interconnect delay, and for generating graphical images for publications. As a graphical and easy to use tool, QUILT is well suited for both research and coursework purposes.