Synopsys Design Compiler Tutorial 2021 Today

The synthesis execution flow follows five discrete phases. These commands are executed within the Design Compiler shell ( dc_shell ).

# Report area characteristics report_area -hierarchy > ../output/reports/area.rpt # Report timing summaries (focusing on worst slack paths) report_timing -delay max -max_paths 10 > ../output/reports/timing_setup.rpt report_timing -delay min -max_paths 10 > ../output/reports/timing_hold.rpt # Report power consumption estimates report_power -hierarchy > ../output/reports/power.rpt # Report DRC (Design Rule Constraints) violations like max capacitance or transition times report_constraint -all_violators > ../output/reports/constraints.rpt Use code with caution. Step 5: Exporting the Synthesized Database

# Change naming rules to ensure compatibility with downstream tools change_names -rules verilog -hierarchy # Save the primary structural gate-level Verilog netlist write -format verilog -hierarchy -output ../mapped/top_module.v # Save the design constraints in Synopsys Design Constraints (SDC) format write_sdc ../mapped/top_module.sdc # Save the internal binary design format database write -format ddc -hierarchy -output ../mapped/top_module.ddc Use code with caution. 4. Automation with Tcl Scripts

By following this flow, you can ensure that your RTL is transformed into a robust, high-performance netlist ready for physical implementation. synopsys design compiler tutorial 2021

report_constraint -all_violators > reports/violators.rpt

Timing violation. The logic path is too slow for the requested clock speed. You must optimize the RTL or loosen constraints. Violator Reports

If you need help configuring your script for a specific design, please let me know: The synthesis execution flow follows five discrete phases

DC is heavily reliant on Tcl scripting. Here are some essential commands you will use frequently:

# Model the driving strength of an external input port using a library buffer set_driving_cell -lib_cell BUFX2 [get_ports data_in] # Define the maximum capacitive load allowed on output ports set_load 0.05 [get_ports data_out] # Set the target design area to 0 (instructs DC to make the design as small as possible) set_max_area 0 Use code with caution. 5. Optimization and Compiling

Synopsys Design Compiler (DC) is the industry-standard tool for translating Register Transfer Level (RTL) hardware descriptions into gate-level netlists. This process, known as logic synthesis, optimizes your design for Timing, Area, and Power (TAP). This 2021 tutorial provides a comprehensive, production-ready workflow for running Design Compiler in both Graphical User Interface (GUI) and command-line shell modes. 1. Prerequisites and Environment Setup Step 5: Exporting the Synthesized Database # Change

Always run link after elaboration to ensure all modules are found.

Before launching Design Compiler, create a local setup file named .synopsys_dc.setup inside your work/ directory. This file initializes the tool variables automatically upon startup.

In 2021, the native binary format is (Design Database Container). It replaces the older .db format.

# Create a primary clock named 'sys_clk' with a 10ns period on port 'clk' create_clock -name sys_clk -period 10.0 [get_ports clk] # Model clock jitter and routing delay (skew) using uncertainty set_clock_uncertainty 0.25 [get_clocks sys_clk] # Define clock transition times (slew rate) set_clock_transition 0.15 [get_clocks sys_clk] Use code with caution. Input and Output Delays