Tutorial 2021 !!top!! | Synopsys Design Compiler
Synopsys Design Compiler Tutorial (2021 Edition): A Comprehensive Guide to Logic Synthesis
Introduction
Synopsys Design Compiler (DC) remains the gold standard for logic synthesis in the semiconductor industry. Even in 2021, while many teams transitioned to the topographical and Explorer variants, the core DC shell remains the heartbeat of RTL-to-Gates design flow. It translates Register Transfer Level (RTL) code (Verilog or VHDL) into gate-level netlists optimized for timing, area, and power constraints based on a specific technology library.
This tutorial provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the synthesis flow using Design Compiler, focusing on the methodologies, constraints, and optimization techniques relevant to modern design flows. synopsys design compiler tutorial 2021
Constraint coverage
report_constraint -all_violators > reports/violators.rpt
5. Key Commands for 2021 (Quick Reference)
| Action | Command |
|--------|---------|
| Check design | check_design |
| Show clock | report_clock |
| Reset design | remove_design -all |
| Change naming rule | define_name_rules ... |
| Ungroup hierarchies | ungroup -flatten -all |
| Set max area | set_max_area 0 |
| Set max fanout | set_max_fanout 20 [current_design] | Constraint coverage
report_constraint -all_violators >
Chapter 6: Analyzing Results
After compilation, never assume success. You must analyze the reports.
8.1 Multicorner Multimode (MCMM)
In 2021 flows, it is rarely acceptable to sign off on a single corner. Design Compiler supports MCMM, where you optimize simultaneously for best-case (fast) and worst-case (slow) corners. focusing on the methodologies
# Define scenario
create_scenario -name func_slow
set_active_scenarios func_slow
current_scenario func_slow
# ... apply constraints ...
Input / Output delays (assume external logic)
set_input_delay -max 2.0 -clock clk [remove_from_collection [all_inputs] [get_ports clk]] set_output_delay -max 2.0 -clock clk [all_outputs]