Integrated PDN and Digital Logic Co-Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of power delivery network (PDN) design into digital logic design flows for integrated circuits is often inconsistent, leading to undesired effects due to specialized handling outside the digital logic design process.
Innovation Solution
A method that integrates power delivery network design into the digital logic design flow by receiving parameters for PDN, simulating various configurations over a range of minimum voltages, generating a netlist representation, and processing it with digital circuit designs, allowing for automated placement and routing within the existing design tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If PDN is specially designed and specially placed outside the digital logic design flow, then PDN design flexibility is improved, but design consistency and integration are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the PDN design process with the digital logic design flow by integrating PDN modeling, simulation, and optimization into the same automated workflow used for digital circuit design. This allows both PDN and logic circuitry to be co-synthesized and co-optimized together, eliminating the inconsistency caused by separate specialized handling while maintaining design flexibility through unified parameter control.
2Reliability
If PDN is specially handled outside digital logic design flow, then specialized optimization is improved, but overall design efficiency is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal design framework that handles both digital logic circuitry and PDN through the same automated EDA tools and workflow. The system performs multiple functions including logic synthesis, PDN modeling, co-simulation, and joint optimization within a single integrated flow, eliminating the need for separate specialized processes while maintaining optimization quality through unified parameter control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary PDN modeling and simulation during the early stages of digital logic design, allowing PDN characteristics to be incorporated into logic synthesis and placement decisions from the outset. This preliminary integration ensures specialized optimization is achieved without requiring separate later-stage PDN design steps, thereby improving overall design efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If PDN and digital logic are designed separately, then individual component optimization is improved, but system-level integration is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a unified design framework that acts as an intermediary between PDN and digital logic design components. This framework enables automated co-synthesis and co-optimization by translating design requirements into coordinated PDN and logic configurations, maintaining precise component optimization while simplifying system-level integration through automated coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
Design of a power delivery network (PDN) is integrated with a digital logic design flow.