A mechanism is disclosed for assigning repeaters to signal paths in an
integrated circuit design. The mechanism involves reserving, in a first
metal layer of the integrated circuit design, metal tracks for routing
signals. Access points to a plurality of repeaters are reserved in a
second metal layer of the integrated circuit design. Each access point is
associated with a particular repeater. The design may have other layers
between the second metal layer and a region reserved for the repeaters.
The number of repeaters may be based on the number of metal tracks that
are available to route signals through the first region. Signal paths are
assigned routes that comprise at least a portion of one or more of the
metal tracks. A route from signal paths requiring a repeater to access
points to a particular repeater is determined. Thus, the signal paths are
assigned to a repeater.