Nicholas L Rethman

Title: Innovations of Nicholas L Rethman

Introduction

Nicholas L Rethman is a notable inventor based in Hudson, MA (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of circuit design and timing verification, holding a total of 3 patents. His work focuses on improving the efficiency and accuracy of logic circuit timing verification.

Latest Patents

One of Rethman's latest patents is titled "Pruning of short paths in static timing verifier." This patent discloses a conservative algorithm for pruning data paths during logic circuit timing verification. It utilizes the correlation between delays on data paths and clock paths to eliminate non-critical data paths during network traversal. The algorithm identifies subnetworks within a larger network and prunes data based on the minimum possible delay across all paths through the subnetwork. Additionally, it analyzes deskewing clocks, clock arrival times, and hold times at synchronizers during the first analysis of each subnetwork. In subsequent analyses, the stored pruning data is used to determine if a data path can be pruned, ensuring that non-critical paths are traced only once during timing verification.

Another significant patent by Rethman is "Timing verification using synchronizers and timing constraints." This invention presents a computer-based method and program aimed at enhancing circuit design through the analysis of a computer-stored model of the circuit. It identifies individual synchronization points in the circuit, where signals may be blocked or allowed to pass based on the presence of a second signal. The timing of the circuit is verified based on these synchronization points, contributing to more reliable circuit designs.

Career Highlights

Nicholas L Rethman is currently employed at Digital Equipment Corporation, where he continues to innovate in the field of circuit design and timing verification. His work has had a lasting impact on the industry, particularly in improving the efficiency of timing verification processes.

Collaborations

Rethman has collaborated with notable colleagues such as Joel J Grodstein and Jeng-Wei Pan, contributing to advancements in their shared field of expertise.

Conclusion

Nicholas L Rethman's contributions to circuit design and timing verification through his innovative patents have significantly advanced the field. His work continues to influence the development of more efficient and reliable electronic circuits.