Automatic I/O Timing Adjustment for Programmable ICs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tuning the input/output (I/O) interface of programmable integrated circuits (ICs) is a manual, time-consuming process that requires significant adjustments and multiple iterations, especially when migrating circuit designs across different IC architectures, due to differences in clock and data signal latency, often resulting in timing closure issues.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that automatically adjusts the timing settings of the I/O interface, such as clock phase delay or data signal delay, to meet specified timing requirements without altering the placement or routing of the circuit design, using iterative checks and adjustments based on available timing settings and architecture-specific parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual tuning of I/O interface timing is performed, then timing closure can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and requires multiple iterations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic I/O interface timing adjustment without requiring manual intervention. The tool independently analyzes timing requirements, iteratively adjusts timing parameters, and achieves timing closure autonomously, eliminating the need for manual tuning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements an iterative feedback loop where timing analysis results are continuously evaluated and used to adjust timing parameters. The tool checks timing closure status after each adjustment and uses this feedback to guide subsequent adjustments until timing requirements are met
Solution Approach 3:
The system automatically modifies I/O interface timing parameters such as clock phase delay and data signal delay to achieve timing closure. By systematically changing these parameters based on timing analysis results, the tool resolves timing violations without manual intervention
2Manufacturing precision
If I/O interface timing is tuned for one programmable IC architecture, then timing closure is achieved for that architecture, but the tuning must be restarted for each different IC architecture
Solution Approach 1:
The timing adjustment tool is designed to work across multiple programmable IC architectures. It automatically adapts to different target devices by retrieving architecture-specific timing parameters and constraints, eliminating the need to restart the tuning process when migrating designs between different IC families
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts timing parameters based on the target IC architecture. By automatically modifying parameters such as clock phase delay and data signal delay according to architecture-specific characteristics, the tool achieves timing closure for different devices without requiring manual re-tuning
3Manufacturing precision
If clock phase delay or data signal delay is adjusted to meet timing requirements, then I/O interface timing closure is achieved, but the placement and routing of the circuit design must remain unchanged
Solution Approach 1:
The timing adjustment process is divided into distinct phases: first achieving internal signal path timing closure, then separately addressing I/O interface timing. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each timing domain without interfering with the other, maintaining placement and routing integrity while achieving I/O timing closure
Data Source
AI summary
A method of tuning an input/output (I/O) interface of a circuit design for a selected programmable integrated circuit can include determining whether the I/O interface meets a timing requirement and when the I/O interface does not meet the timing requirement, automatically adjusting a first timing setting of the I/O interface of the circuit design. The method can include iteratively determining whether the I/O interface meets the timing requirement, and responsive to each iteration, adjusting the first timing setting. The circuit design, including the adjusted first timing setting, can be output.