A method is disclosed for identifying a physical failure location on an IC
without using layout-versus-schematic (LVS) verification tool. In the
method, the integrated circuit is tested with one or more test patterns
to identify a failure port thereon. Hierarchical information of the
failure port is generated through the test patterns. A physical location
of the failure port in a layout of the integrated circuit is identified
through a relation between the hierarchical information and a floor plan
report. Layout information of a routing path associated with the physical
location of the failure port is retrieved from a layout database.