×

Method of memory and run-time efficient hierarchical timing analysis in programmable logic devices

  • US 7,437,695 B1
  • Filed: 04/05/2005
  • Issued: 10/14/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method of performing timing analysis on a circuit design for an integrated circuit (IC) comprising:

  • selecting a physical block of the circuit design, wherein the physical block includes at least one instance of a logic hierarchy;

    generating a local timing constraint specific to the physical block, wherein the local timing constraint is a function of a pre-routing estimate of a global timing constraint involving the physical block,wherein the local timing constraint specifies a portion of the global timing constraint corresponding to a portion of a signal path covered by the global timing constraint, wherein the portion of the signal path is defined by a first endpoint that is a top level port of the physical block and a second endpoint that is a first encountered circuit element, on the signal path within the physical block, comprising memory;

    creating a software representation of the physical block, wherein the software representation specifies the local timing constraint and a shell netlist for the physical block,wherein the shell netlist specifies top level ports of the physical block and elements disposed in signal paths extending from each of the top level ports of the physical block up to, and including, a first encountered circuit element comprising memory within the physical block; and

    performing a timing analysis upon, at least part of, the circuit design using the software representation.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×