ProTiming™
Final Pass Timing Optimization
Missing your timing target?
ProTiming™ is Prolific's block-level timing optimization tool. Unlike other optimization tools, which modify RTL, the standard-cell libraries, or placement, ProTiming is a final-pass solution that is run on a "completed" design.
Even highly optimized designs can benefit from 5%-10% performance improvement when ProTiming is run as a final optimization step, and less-optimized designs can see more dramatic improvement.
ProTiming is easy to use:
1Identify the .lib of the standard cell library to be analyzed.
2Identify the PrimeTime startup script.
3Click Run ProTiming.
ProTiming is easier and much more comprehensive than tuning by hand or using homegrown scripts.
Improvements are gained in addition to any optimizations that were made earlier in the design process. ProTiming minimizes the impact of its changes on the design, and produces a change file for an ECO, if required.
ProTiming runs Synopsys' PrimeTime to measure performance, so it never introduces correlation errors. The result before and after the final pass timing optimization can be compared with total confidence. In conjunction with PrimeTime SI, ProTiming also fixes signal integrity problems and removes hold time violations.
ProTiming performs design-specific timing optimization during the static timing analysis step of the physical design flow. The software makes use of cells already existing in the library and can provide a 5-10% performance increase without modifying RTL or adding new cells to the library. If desired, ProTiming can also specify new cells that are created as needed, either by traditional methods or automatically by Prolific's ProGenesis tool suite, for an additional 5-10% performance increase.
The static library size of a typical SPR flow limits optimization, making the resulting layout less efficient than full-custom design. Allowing cell optimization to take place within the design flow removes the restrictions of a limited and arbitrary set of library elements, providing several real advantages: performance improvements; time-to-market reduction due to reduced design iterations; and reductions in area and power consumption.
Using ProTiming allows designers to focus on power and relax the timing constraints during SPR. The critical paths can then be addressed during static timing analysis (STA) to regain timing. This will only increase the transistor sizes in the critical paths, allowing the design to meet timing requirements while saving overall power and area.
ProTiming also supports a more aggressive approach; ProTiming will replace all cells after STA with low L (low power) or half drive strengths, then fix timing by increasing the drive strengths only in the critical paths required to meet timing. This methodology results in power savings of up to 20% or more.
For a ready-to-use solution for leakage and active power during final pass optimization, Prolific's ProPower is built on the ProTiming engine.
Features
- Analyzes critical paths down to the standard cells
- Optimizes designs without RTL changes
- Optimizes without using new cells
- Optionally, adds only alternate drive-strength cells
- Fully integrated with Synopsys PrimeTime®
Benefits
- Design-specific performance improvements of 10% or more
- Time-to-market, reduced design iterations
- Supports industry-standard SPR flow
- Low risk, won't compromise design or verification flow