ASIC Physical Design : Key challenges and Innovative solutions

 Static Timing Analysis (STA) in chip design can be  correlated with the nervous system of the human body. Below are few analogies : Signal Propagation In STA, Signal propagation from one sequential element to other element is analyzed and it is make sure that it meet requirement such as Setup/Hold slack. Similarly, Nervous systems ensures that nerves signals propagate properly between brain, spinal cord and other body part. Critical paths in STA, it is really important to identify and critical paths same ways, in body it is important to analyze critical paths such as spinal cord and  Constraints In STA, Constraints plays import role for critical paths. The nervous system also has constraints, such as reaction times, which must be within limits for the body to respond effectively. Optimization: STA helps optimize the design to minimize timing violations by following constraints. The nervous system adapts and optimizes signal transmission, for example, by strengthening neu...

Challenge on Setup/hold slack calculation... check below image. without crosstalk impact, setup/hold slack between FF1-->FF2 is 0ps.  with crosstalk, crosstalk of 10ps is introduced on below 3 nets.  what will be setup/hold slack considering this crosstalk effect?  #STA #Setup #Hold  #Challenge Type your answer in Comment below.

MMMC (Multi-Mode Multi-Corner ) is needed in modern chip design to make sure that chip works properly in all conditions. It handles changes in manufacturing, power, temperature, and how the chip operates in different modes. Before understanding details about MMMC, Lets try to understand its importance through below analogy. Suppose you are making a chip which will be used in mobile. in order to have more sells all over India, it is really important that same mobile handset should work in all states including Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) , Gujarat and Kerala (Of course it will be restricted in Military area...!!). J&K is very cold area where temperature might be as low as -40 Degree while Rajasthan's Thar Desert where temperate might go as high as 40 Degree.  other states where  average temperate is in range of 20-30 Degree. In order to have sells across India, it is really important that Mobile Handset should work properly with expected performance in all states.  Thus...