Programmable block architected heterogeneous integrated circuit

A block architected integrated circuit having predetermined power and signal grid structures is provided. The integrated circuit includes a plurality of function blocks such as firm function blocks, standard cell logic blocks, and gate array logic blocks which are all designed according to the power and signal grid structures of the integrated circuit and from standard library elements of the base cell array. These function blocks have full floating capability with respect to the granularity of the power and signal grid structures. The integrated circuit also includes one or more hard function blocks which are not designed according to the power or signal grid structures of the integrated circuit. Further, the integrated circuit may also include one or more blocks which are designed from a different technology than the base cell array of the integrated circuit and, thus are also not designed according to the power or signal grid structures of the integrated circuit. As a result, these blocks must be adapted to readily fit within the power and signal grid structures of the integrated circuit. However, once adapted, these blocks also have full floating capability with respect to the granularity of the power and signal grid structures.