Embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated circuit (IC) in
which power to input output (IO) drivers may be distributed within unused
areas over macro processing circuits. This IC includes a long distance
power and ground distribution network, an input output (IO) power and
ground distribution network, a number of macro processing circuits, and
IO circuits. The long distance power and ground distribution network
electrically couples to the IO power and ground distribution network.
Both the power and ground distribution networks may be located within the
upper level conductive layers. IO power and ground distribution network
locally supplies power and ground to IO circuits. Macro processing
circuits may be located beneath the power distribution network as some
macro processing circuits do not require access to upper level conductive
layers. By placing these macro processing circuits beneath these power
distribution networks, die size may be reduced.