EDA Re-convergent Section Optimization via Sequential Element Masking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools face challenges in optimizing circuit designs with re-convergence patterns, as they are constrained by pipeline registers, which prevent achieving higher quality results during synthesis and limit optimization across segment boundaries.
Innovation Solution
The method involves detecting re-convergent sections in circuit designs, masking sequential circuit elements, performing optimization on combinatorial logic, and mapping optimized logic to transform the section into a single segment for more efficient optimization, while ensuring timing is preserved by inserting synchronous elements as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional EDA tools are used with pipeline registers to maintain timing, then timing accuracy is preserved, but optimization quality deteriorates and area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The method segments the circuit design into re-convergent sections identified by detecting start and end sequential circuit elements. By isolating these sections, the tool can apply specialized optimization techniques that mask pipeline registers within the section, allowing higher quality optimization without compromising overall timing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The method changes the operational parameters by masking sequential circuit elements within re-convergent sections during optimization. This temporary parameter change allows the synthesis tool to treat masked elements as transparent, enabling cross-boundary optimization that would otherwise be prevented by pipeline registers, while timing is restored afterward.
2Reliability
If pipeline registers are used to maintain timing across segments, then timing is preserved, but optimization across segment boundaries is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The method performs preliminary actions by detecting re-convergent sections and masking sequential elements before the optimization process begins. This preliminary masking removes optimization constraints temporarily, allowing the synthesis tool to optimize combinatorial logic across what would normally be segment boundaries, while timing information is preserved for later restoration.
Solution Approach 2:
The masking mechanism acts as an intermediary that temporarily removes the restrictive effect of pipeline registers during optimization. By masking sequential circuit elements, the method allows optimization to proceed as if no segments exist, then restores timing constraints afterward, effectively mediating between optimization freedom and timing preservation.
3Area of stationary object
If re-convergent sections are optimized with masking, then area is reduced and clock frequency increases, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The method applies local quality by selectively processing only re-convergent sections of the circuit rather than the entire design. By detecting specific start and end sequential circuit elements, the tool applies masking and optimization only where needed, reducing area in critical sections without requiring full-circuit reprocessing, thus limiting the increase in processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementing a circuit design can include detecting, using computer hardware, a re-convergent section of a circuit design, masking, using the computer hardware, a sequential circuit element of the re-convergent section located between a start and an end of the re-convergent section, and performing, using the computer hardware, an optimization operation on combinatorial logic of the re-convergent section to create optimized combinatorial logic. Using the computer hardware, the optimized combinatorial logic of the re-convergent section can be mapped. Further, the re-convergent section can be modified subsequent to the mapping to match timing of the re-convergent section prior to the masking.