IIL

What does IIL mean?

IIL, short for Intermediate Interconnect Language, is a textual language used to represent a design or hardware description language (HDL) in a technology-independent format. It enables interoperability between different tools and platforms during the design and implementation of integrated circuits (ICs).

IIL serves as an abstraction layer, separating the design representation from the specific implementation technologies. It provides a common medium for representing and exchanging design information, allowing engineers to share and collaborate on projects regardless of the tools or technologies they use.

Applications

IIL plays a crucial role in modern VLSI (very-large-scale integration) design flows. It is used in various applications, including:

• Design Verification: IIL enables seamless design verification across different tools and platforms. It facilitates the integration of verification engines from different vendors, allowing engineers to perform comprehensive simulations and testing.
• Design Exchange: IIL allows for easy sharing and exchange of design data between different teams and organizations. It promotes collaboration and facilitates the transfer of designs between different tools and technologies.
• Multi-Tool Interoperability: IIL enables interoperability between various electronic design automation (EDA) tools, such as layout editors, schematic capture, and simulation tools. It provides a common language for exchanging design information, reducing tool-specific dependencies.

History

The concept of IIL emerged in the 1980s with the development of VLSI technology. As the complexity of IC designs grew, there was a need for a standardized language to represent designs independently of implementation technologies.

In 1987, the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) published the first IIL standard, known as EIA-384. This standard defined a textual syntax for representing hierarchical digital designs.

Over the years, IIL has undergone several revisions and updates. The IEEE 1499 standard, published in 1993, became the dominant IIL format. It provided a more comprehensive representation of design information, including analog and mixed-signal designs.

The current Version of IIL is IEEE Std 1499-2018, which includes support for advanced design features and technologies, such as three-dimensional (3D) integration and multi-die packages.