Simultaneous path optimization (spo) system and method

Abstract

A simultaneous path optimization (SPO) system determines where to insert repeaters within interconnects of an integrated circuit (IC) during the design of the interconnects in order to ultimately reduce signal propagation delays in the interconnects. The SPO system is designed as follows. A netlist of an electrical network is obtained. The netlist is simulated with a delay simulator to determine delays from a source to each sink. A slack parameter for each branch of the network is determined. The slack parameter is computed for each branch by subtracting a signal propagation delay associated the each branch from a timing constraint associated with each branch. The SPO system determines a main branch in the network as one of the branches that exhibits the largest one of the slack parameters. A total slack parameter is determined by adding the slack parameters. The SPO system determines how many of the repeaters, if any, should be inserted in side branches extending from the main branch by simulating repeaters in the side branches and determining whether the total slack parameter decreases by insertion of the repeaters. The SPO system determines how many repeaters, if any, should be inserted along the main branch using a delay simulator. Optionally, the SPO system may further determine how many more of the repeaters, if any, should be inserted in the side branches using a delay simulator. Finally, the SPO system outputs the repeater locations and connectivity.