Overview
This course covers the ASIC synthesis flow using Design Compiler Topographical / Graphical -- from reading in an RTL design (Verilog, SystemVerilog and VHDL) to generating a final gate-level netlist. You will learn how to read in your design file(s), specify your libraries and physical data, constrain a complex design for timing and floorplan, apply synthesis techniques using Ultra, compile to achieve timing closure and an acceptable congestion, analyze the synthesis results for timing and congestion, and generate output data that works with downstream layout tools.

You will verify the logic equivalence of synthesis transformations (such as Datapath optimizations and Register Retiming) to that of an RTL design using Formality. The course includes labs to reinforce and practice key topics discussed in lecture. All the covered commands and flows are printed separately in a 5-page Job Aid, which the student can refer to back at work.

• Create a setup file to specify the libraries and physical data
• Read in a hierarchical design
• Constrain a complex design for timing, taking into account different environmental attributes such as output loading, input drive strength, process, voltage and temperature variations, as well as post-layout effects such as clock skew
• Constrain multiple (generated) clocks considering Signal integrity analysis
• Execute the recommended synthesis techniques to achieve timing closure
• Analyze and Improve global route congestion
• Perform test-ready synthesis
• Verify the logic equivalence of a synthesized netlist compared to an RTL design
• Write DC-Tcl scripts to constrain and compile designs
• Generate and interpret timing, constraint, and other debugging reports
• Understand the effect that RTL coding style can have on synthesis results
• Generate output data (netlist, constraints, scan-def) that works with downstream physical design or layout tools

Audience Profile
ASIC digital designers who are going to use Design Compiler to synthesize Verilog/SystemVerilog or VHDL RTL modules to generate gate-level netlists enabling timing closure and predictable congestion,

Prerequisites
To benefit the most from the material presented in this workshop, students should:

• Understand the functionality of digital sequential and combinational logic
• Have familiarity with UNIX and a UNIX text editor of your choice

No prior Design Compiler knowledge or experience is needed.

• Introduction to Synthesis
• Loading Technology and Design Data
• Design and Library Objects
• Timing Constraints

• Environmental Attributes
• Compiling RTL to Gates
• Timing Analysis

• Additional Constraint Options
• Multi-Clock Designs
• Congestion Analysis and Optimization
• Post-Synthesis Output Data
• Conclusion

• BOA-BRT
• DC-Expert
• DC-Ultra-Features
• DC-Ultra-Opt
• Design-Compiler
• Design-Vision
• DesignWare
• DC-Extension
• Milkyway-Interface
• Test-Compiler
• HDL-Compiler (or)
• VHDL-Compiler

• Formality

• Galaxy-FP
• Galaxy-FP-AdvTech
• Galaxy-FP-AdvCTS
• Galaxy-FP-MV
• Galaxy-Common
• Galaxy-ICC