PrimeTime 1

OVERVIEW

This workshop shows you how to maximize your productivity when using PrimeTime. Topics include preparing for STA on your design, including investigating and analyzing the clocks that dictate STA results; identifying opportunities to improve run time; and performing static timing analysis. 

This workshop focuses on the SPEF-based flow, but also covers issues relating to SDF back annotation.

Hands-on labs follow each training module, allowing you to apply the skills learned in lecture.
Most labs apply the command-line interface; one lab gives you the opportunity to explore the Graphical User Interface, which can be a valuable debugging aid.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this workshop the student should be able to:

• Interpret the essential details in a timing report for setup and hold, recovery and removal, and clock-gating setup and hold
• Generate timing reports for specific paths and with specific details
• Generate summary reports of the design violations organized by clock, slack, or by timing check
• Create, execute, and debug a PrimeTime run script
• Identify opportunities to improve run time
• Create a saved session and subsequently restore the saved session
• Identify the clocks, where they are defined, and which ones interact, on an unfamiliar design
• Prepare for performing STA on a design and then use this knowledge to respond to, focus, and debug your timing analysis

AUDIENCE PROFILE

Design or verification engineers who perform STA using PrimeTime.

PREREQUISITES

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

• A basic understanding of digital IC design
• Familiarity with UNIX workstations running X-windows
• Familiarity with vi, emacs, or other UNIX text editors

COURSE OUTLINE

Day 1:

• Does your design meet timing?
• Objects, Attributes, Collections
• Constraints in a timing report
• Timing arcs in a timing report
• Control which paths are reported

Day 2:

• Summary Reports
• Create a setup file and run script
• Validate a run script
• Getting to know your clocks

Day 3:

• Analysis types and back annotation
• Additional checks and constraints
• Conclusion

SYNOPSYS TOOLS USED

• PrimeTime 2008.06

JOB AID