EDA Timing Closure Visualization for Critical Path Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic design automation (EDA) tools face challenges in closing timing for circuit designs within integrated circuits, as they typically generate comprehensive timing reports only at the end of each design flow phase, limiting troubleshooting capabilities due to the complexity and iterative nature of the design process.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that display and analyze data sets generated at various points during the design flow phases, allowing for the visualization of critical paths and their evolution through the design process, enabling navigation through different implementation states and facilitating the identification of timing criticalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If comprehensive timing reports are generated only at the end of each design flow phase, then the reporting system remains simple and manageable, but troubleshooting capability is limited due to inability to analyze intermediate states
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing and storing timing data at multiple intermediate points during the design flow phase, rather than waiting until the end. This allows designers to access and analyze timing information from earlier stages of placement, enabling them to identify and address timing issues before they become critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The design flow phase is segmented into multiple observable states with timing data captured at each segment boundary. The system divides the continuous design process into discrete checkpoints (e.g., after global placement, after detailed placement), allowing independent analysis of each segment's timing characteristics without requiring analysis of the entire phase at once.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If timing data from multiple intermediate points is captured and displayed, then troubleshooting capability is enhanced, but the complexity of the display system and data management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is designed with multi-functionality to handle diverse timing data from multiple intermediate points through a unified interface. The same display mechanisms and control elements are used whether showing data from early placement stages or later stages, eliminating the need for separate specialized displays for each time point and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system implements dynamic control allowing users to interactively select and switch between different time points and data sets. Controls enable dynamic filtering, sorting, and highlighting of timing data based on user preferences and specific troubleshooting needs, allowing the system to adapt its complexity to the actual information requirements rather than presenting all data simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If detailed timing information from multiple phases is made accessible, then design analysis capability is improved, but navigation and information management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a temporal dimension to the display organization by arranging timing data from different intermediate points along a time axis. This dimensional organization allows users to navigate through design phases sequentially or jump to specific points of interest, transforming the complex multi-dimensional data into an intuitive one-dimensional timeline that preserves design analysis capability while simplifying navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical navigation through multiple data sets with automated computational methods. Algorithms automatically organize, filter, and present timing data based on selection criteria, eliminating the need for manual sorting and filtering operations. This substitution reduces the operational burden on users while maintaining comprehensive access to timing information.
Data Source
AI summary
Closing timing for a circuit design can include displaying, using a display device, a first region having a plurality of controls corresponding to a plurality of data sets generated at different times during a phase of a design flow for a circuit design, wherein each control selects a data set associated with the control, and displaying, using the display device, a second region configured to display a list of critical paths for data sets selected from the first region using one of the plurality of controls. Closing timing further can include displaying, using the display device, a third region configured to display a representation of a target integrated circuit including layouts for the critical paths of the list for implementations of the circuit design specified by the selected data sets.