Clock Domain Crossing Buffering for Timing-Correct IC Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clock domain crossing in integrated circuits leads to timing issues such as metastability and data loss due to mismatched clock frequencies and phases, which are often detected after fabrication, increasing design costs and implementation time.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating signal path information and timing parameters into configuration files and RTL models to simulate and manage propagation delays, allowing for the insertion of buffers to coordinate clock signals and prevent timing problems during the design stage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If clock domain crossing is implemented without timing analysis, then design implementation speed increases, but timing problems such as metastability and data loss occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing timing analysis and inserting synchronization buffers during the design stage before fabrication. The system analyzes clock domain crossing paths, calculates propagation delays, and determines optimal buffer insertions to prevent timing issues before the circuit is manufactured, thereby maintaining both high productivity and reliability.
2Measurement precision
If timing analysis and buffer insertion are performed during design stage, then timing problem detection improves, but design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by creating an automated system that performs timing analysis and buffer insertion without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically identifies clock domain crossing paths, calculates propagation delays using timing parameters, determines optimal buffer insertions, and generates updated netlists, thereby reducing design process complexity while maintaining high timing problem detection capability.
3Productivity
If propagation delay is not considered in simulation, then simulation speed increases, but timing issue detection accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing timing parameters (such as propagation delay values) into the simulation process. The system assigns specific delay values to paths crossing clock domains and uses these parameters to accurately predict timing issues while maintaining simulation efficiency through optimized calculation methods.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed relating to detecting and minimizing timing problems created by clock domain crossing (CDC) in integrated circuits. In various embodiments, one or more timing parameters are associated with a path that crosses between clock domains in an integrated circuit, where the one or more timing parameters specify a propagation delay for the path. In one embodiment, the timing parameters may be distributed to different design stages using a configuration file. In some embodiments, the one or more parameters may be used in conjunction with an RTL model to simulate propagation of a data signal along the path. In some embodiments, the one or more parameters may be used in conjunction with a netlist to create a physical design for the integrated circuit, where the physical design includes a representation of the path that has the specified propagation delay.