Circuit design using design variable function slope sensitivity

US8464199B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Margaret R. Charlebois · Jericho, US
• Christopher D. Hanudel · South Burlington, US
• Robert D. Herzl · South Burlington, US
• David W. Milton · Underhill, US
• Clarence R. Ogilvie · Waterbury, US
• Paul M. Schanely · South Burlington, US
• Tad J. Wilder · South Hero, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 16, 2012
• Grant date: Jun 11, 2013
• Expiry date: May 16, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F2119/12
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method for designing an integrated circuit. A computer determines, for one or more paths in a circuit design, for a value of a design variable at which timing closure of the circuit design is achieved, an approximate slope of a function representing path delay as a function of the design variable. When the computer determines that one of the approximate slopes is not within a defined slope range, the computer determines an adjustment direction and an adjustment value based in part on the magnitude by which the slope is not within the defined slope range. The computer changes the circuit design of the path associated with the out-of-range slope, based in part on the adjustment direction and the adjustment value, so as to bring the slope within the defined slope range.