Modules 14 to 18 are disposed in a chip 10, and the module 14 includes a
plurality of external buffer cells 20 disposed along the peripheral of
the module 14, and an internal circuit 21 disposed inside the plurality
of external buffer cells 20. Input and output of signals is made between
the internal circuit 21 and the external circuit, through the external
buffer cells 20. The output-stage transistor of each external buffer cell
has a larger size than the transistor size of the internal circuit 21.
The external buffer cells 20 have a driving capability for enabling
direct driving of a transistor inside the chip through a wire having the
maximum Manhattan length of a module-disposed region in on chip. If the
disposed area of the plurality of external buffer cells 20 is not
sufficient, the size of the module is enlarged, or repartition is made to
reform the modules so that the plurality of external buffer cells 20 have
their sufficient disposed area.