Synthesis and Physical Design
Synthesis and Physical Design
SYNTHESIS.
y In electronics, synthesis is a process by which an
abstract form of desired circuit behavior, typically register transfer level (RTL), is turned into a design implementation in terms of logic gates. Common examples of this process include synthesis of HDLs, including VHDL and Verilog. y Synthesis is next stage to functional design and verification of digital system. y Refinement of functional design to gate-level net list. y For most designs, synthesis is performed automatically using RTL synthesis tool.
requirements, it may be necessary to custom design the circuitry of some subsystems. y RTL synthesis ,as name suggests,starts with models of design refined to the register-transfer level. y Hence, cannot use all of the features of HDL(VHDL or Verilog) arbitrarily. y Many language features are suitable for writing testbenches, and cannot be synthesized in equivalent gate-level circuits.
HISTORY
y Early tools-Simple pattern recognition. y Focus more on improving the quality. y Optimization.
subst that was portable across number of tools. y VHDL(2004) extended subset to include more constructs.
Technology library
y Collection of components that are available within
the implementation fabric selected for design. y In ASIC, provided as part of larger design. y In FPGA, embedded in the tools provided by vendors. y Typical Components-inverting ,non-inverting gates, small number of inputs, small multiplexers, carry chain components, flip-flops.
parameters of components. There are ways in which we can write RTL model code that produce different behavior in RTL simulation and synthesis.
Objective of Synthesis
y Minimize area
in terms of literal count, cell count, register count, etc. in terms of switching activity in individual gates, deactivated circuit blocks, etc. in terms of maximal clock frequency of synchronous systems, throughput for asynchronous systems combined with different weights formulated as a constraint problem minimize area for a clock speed > 300MHz feedback from layout actual physical sizes, delays, placement and routing.
y Minimize power
y Maximize performance
PHYSICAL DESIGN.
y Physical design converts a circuit description into a
geometric description. This description is used to manufacture a chip(ASIC and FPGA). y The physical design cycle consists of 1. Partitioning 2. Floorplanning and Placement 3. Routing 4. Compaction
y Final stage in Design flow.
VLSI Design
Specification Physical Design Partitioning
Placement
Routing Test/Fabrication
Design flow
FLOORPLANNING
y Layout design done at the chip level Defining layout hierarchy Estimation of required design area y A blueprint showing the placement of major components in the
design (non-standard cell) Inputs / Output (I/O) RAMs / ROMs/ Reusable Intellectual Property (IP) macros
y
y Floorplan of design:
Core area defined with large macros placed Periphery area defined with I/O macros placed Power and Ground Grid (Rings and Straps) established y Utilization: The percentage of the core that is used by placed standard cells and macros Goal of 100%, typically 8085%
process y Create metal shapes that meet the requirements of a fabrication process The physical connection between cells in the design y Virtual routes used during placement and CTS need to become reality Timing of design needs to be preserved Timing data such as signal transitions and clock skew needs to match the virtual route estimates
cells is automatically chosen by the tool during placement (Based upon routing and timing) y Pins are physically connected during routing (Based upon timing)
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