Top Interface Logic Model Building for Static Timing Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
In integrated circuit design, the hierarchical method fails to effectively reduce the operation time of static timing analysis (STA) due to the inefficiency of interface logic models (ILMs) when dealing with top circuits comprising a large number of components.
Innovation Solution
A model-building method that reads a top netlist and a block model, extracts specific subnetlists, and generates a top ILM by integrating components between input/output nodes and multivibrators, thereby reducing the computational load and preserving important circuit netlists for STA.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If interface logic models (ILMs) are used for block circuits in hierarchical design, then design process acceleration is achieved, but operation time of static timing analysis (STA) is not effectively reduced when top circuit comprises large amount of components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential components from the top netlist that are coupled with multivibrators to form a simplified top ILM. This extraction process removes unnecessary components while retaining the critical signal paths, thereby reducing the computational load for STA without sacrificing design accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the top netlist into three distinct subnetlists based on component connectivity: components coupled between input nodes and multivibrators, components coupled between output nodes and multivibrators, and components coupled between clock input nodes and top clock input node. This segmentation enables focused analysis on critical paths while excluding irrelevant portions
2Reliability
If complete top netlist is used for STA, then comprehensive timing analysis is achieved, but operation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a top ILM with non-uniform component inclusion - essential components connected to multivibrators are retained while non-essential components are excluded. This localized selection maintains timing analysis reliability for critical paths while reducing overall analysis time
Data Source
AI summary
A model-building method comprises following operations: reading a top netlist and a block model, wherein the top netlist comprises a first input node, a first output node and a multivibrator, the block model comprises a input node and a output node; obtaining a first subnetlist from the top netlist, wherein the first subnetlist comprises a component coupled between the input node and the first input node or the multivibrator; obtaining a second subnetlist from the top netlist, wherein the second subnetlist comprises a component coupled between the output node and the first output node or the multivibrator; obtaining a third subnetlist from the top netlist, wherein the third subnetlist comprises a component coupled between a clock input node of the multivibrator and a top clock input node of the top netlist; generating a top ILM according to the first to the third subnetlist.