Routing Tree Topology Generation for Skew Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic design automation (EDA) systems face challenges in generating circuit designs that balance signal skew and wire length, often resulting in significant skew differences between sinks in routing trees due to minimal wire length optimization.
Innovation Solution
The approach involves generating an updated routing tree by introducing intermediate points determined by median or mean positions of sinks, with multiple tiers of intermediate points placed strategically to avoid blocking circuit elements and decrease skew, while limiting additional wire length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If routing tree is optimized for minimal wire length, then wire length is reduced, but skew difference between sinks increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The routing tree is segmented by introducing intermediate points that divide the network into multiple tiers. These intermediate points act as segmentation nodes that break the direct source-to-sink paths into shorter segments, allowing better control over signal arrival times at different sinks while maintaining overall wire length efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Intermediate points are introduced as intermediary nodes between the source and sinks. These intermediaries serve as mediation points that balance the signal distribution, reducing skew differences by providing alternative routing paths and equalizing the electrical characteristics of the network without significantly increasing total wire length.
2Manufacturing precision
If intermediate points are added to reduce skew, then skew is decreased, but wire length increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding intermediate points throughout the entire routing tree, the method applies partial action by strategically placing intermediate points only in critical paths where skew compensation is needed. This selective approach reduces skew effectively while minimizing the additional wire length introduced by intermediate points.
Solution Approach 2:
The method changes the structural parameters of the routing tree by introducing intermediate points with specific electrical characteristics (such as buffer elements or delay elements) that compensate for skew without proportionally increasing wire length. The parameters of intermediate points are optimized to provide skew correction while maintaining wire length constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, media, and other such embodiments described herein relate to generation of routing trees. One embodiment involves accessing a circuit design comprising a source, a plurality of sinks, and a skew threshold associated with the source and the plurality of sinks. An initial routing tree is generated between the source and the plurality of sinks, and then a first intermediate point is identified between the source and the plurality of sinks. The first intermediate point may be identified based on a median location of all sinks of the plurality of sinks, or other criteria. The first intermediate point is then used for an updated routing tree. In some embodiments, a process proceeds iteratively until the skew threshold is reached or a maximum wire length is exceeded.