Logic Design for Array-Based Circuits

by Donnamaie E. White

Copyright © 1996, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2016 Donnamaie E. White , WhitePubs Enterprises, Inc.

 

Structured Design Methodology


Create the Preliminary Macro Schematic
(When schematics are to be used)

A block diagram with interconnect detail is the next step following the selection of the array series. The diagram and the ideas for the implementation of the various modules may be designed from scratch (for a new circuit) or be a conversion of standard logic (from an existing SSI/MSI/LSI design). This is usually a hand-sketch or an EWS block schematic, used to plan what is to be captured in detail later.

These days, this is the" block out the RTL" stage.

An EWS block diagram can serve as the top of a hierarchy drawing set and be incorporated as an integral part of the drawing set. The block diagram clarifies boundaries and logic flow between circuit modules and is useful in determining how many schematic pages will exist. Repetitive modules can be identified which may affect the method of schematic construction.

Schematic Types

  • Schematics may be flat (all in one directory and each one stand-alone within itself).
  • Schematics may be hierarchical, where a block diagram is at the top and different blocks are defined in subdirectories of one or more pages. Multiple levels are possible in this approach.
  • Schematics may be recursively defined where a series of blocks each use the same subdirectory and page or pages as the referenced definition. This type of drawing page organization may be called hierarchical or nested or something else, depending on the EWS vendor.

The RTL may be classed the same way - and hierarchical designs often have had to be "flattened" before progressing from one EDA tool set to another. The designer needs to be aware of all such limits on hierarchy for every tool being employed in the design from RTL to wafer-fab. Repeated design blocks must be set as "unique" in the design.

Optimize the Design

The existing macros for the particular array or array series chosen for the implementation should be re-reviewed and the design optimized based on the available macros. [Control the synthesis process with various control statements and design constraints.]

Review for Testability

The circuit design should be reviewed for testability and circuit reliability in the design flow and any changes or additional macros required to make it testable added now. Controllability and observability issues must both be addressed.

Deliberate redundancy in a design will mask errors and reduce the potential fault-grading score. Reconvergent fan-out presents problems to most simulators. Complex feed-back paths should be reviewed and simplified. Test points should be considered for any deeply-nested path.

Custom Macros

Identify any macros needed but not in the released library.

If the macros available need sizing or performance enhancement to suit the design, a different macro can sometimes be identified. A custom macro can be used to provide very specific requirements. Because a custom macro costs time and money, before a custom macro is requested, re-review the macro library. There are usually several ways to implement a circuit design, with varying performance and cell utilization results.

Examine minimization and other simplifications before approaching the array vendor. (AMCC applications engineering must be consulted before a custom macro evaluation request can be submitted.)

If a custom macro is the solution, it must be designed and specified for the target circuit. Custom macros are expensive, are not pre-tested in silicon, and take some nominal time to develop after they have been approved for development. Vendors prefer that designs be completed with the released macro library.

There are other advantages to consulting with the applications engineers. There are many cases where a problem has been solved with an "in-house" macro, a macro already under development for a later library release. When these can be identified by the vendor's applications engineers, a library patch can be sent to the designer. Note that this procedure also has an approval cycle.

Libraries are fixed in today's libraries and any changes take time. Macro libraries with pre-defined complex macros are available. These can also be re-useable IP blocks (soft is RTL-level, hard is all layers). All IP needs idetification prior to the start of the design.

Review the Intended Schematic for Size

Will the design fit the intended array? Given the identification of actual macros to be used while still in the schematic planning stages, review the internal cell utilization and I/O cell utilization. Compare these to the target array or arrays.

If the array size is exceeded by a relatively small number of cells, implement cell-usage-reduction techniques to achieve a fit. A cell utilization of 100% could mean the array is not routable. If the array size is exceeded by a large number of any one cell type, the design needs more serious attention, either to reduce the overall circuit size intended for the array or to justify a larger array.

It is possible to implement functions in several different ways using the same macro library. One may be cell-intensive, another may be faster but hotter, yet another may optimize the design objectives. Try different solutions.

This is still a good rule. Try different solutions at the pre-assemble level - examine blocks of the design in detail (5K - 10K equivalent gates). Optimize based on a priority-ordering of the design restrictipons (size, speed, power). Best to do this at the early stages of the design then come head-on with a "show-stopper" during place & Route, when such changes are expensive to make.

Estimate the Internal Pin Count for Routability

Is it routable? The internal pin count estimate can be determined once the initial macro-based design is blocked. (The actual pin count is available once the circuit has been captured on an EWS or described to a netlister.) Both internal cell utilization and internal pin count are used to determine routability.

Other factors influence routability and layout. Performance requirements may dictate that certain paths be kept short. Other paths may need to be balanced (have identical metal delays). Desired external pin positions place other restrictions on placement by limiting pad placement. The types of macros selected, whether they are high-power, high-speed macros or high-fan-out drivers, can constrain placement. High-functionality macros usually have more pin-per-cell density and affect routing.

There are some general rules even when using Design Compiler, or Physical Compiler. 3 nets per pin is a good rule of thumb. Physical compiler will show you "hot spots" - where routing is too dense. If you exceed the 3 nets per pin rule (average), you may have a circuit that cannot be successfully routed. The goal is to distribute the design around on the array to keep heat and density uniform as much as possible.

Review Placement Requirements For the Array

There are design considerations that make placement more restrictive and complex as listed in Table 2-6. The more placement rules are involved in a design, the more impact the high internal pin count will have on the routability of the design.

Table 2-6 Placement Considerations (Sample List)

Placement Considerations Checklist
A Ground Must Be Near three-State Enable Drivers
ECL input Needs to be Isolated from SSO TTL
400MHz paths (and faster) Must be Isolated
High-frequency CMOS driving into the array must be isolated from ECL signals
SSO Groups must be Distributed
Three-State and Bidirectional Macros may be Required to be kept Grouped
Busses May Need Grouping
Added Power and Ground Needs to be Interspersed With the SSO
Dual Cell I/Os Are Placement-Restricted
HF I/Os are Package Pin Restricted and Therefore Placement Restricted
Programmable Overhead Arrays Have I/O Cell Usage vs. Overhead Placement Guides
Soft MSI Macros have Preferred Placements
Hard MSI Macros have a Fixed Placement
Packages May Require Added Grounds
Clock Distribution for the Design
- Radial for Speed; Fan-out Tree
Desired Critical Path Placement


Combine internal cell utilization, internal pin count and complexity of placement to evaluate circuit routability.

There are a few EDA tools around today that can help with routability estimation.

 

Copyright © 1996, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2016 Donnamaie E. White , WhitePubs Enterprises, Inc.
For problems or questions on these pages, contact donnamaie@-no-spam-sbcglobal.net