Contains graphical representations of library cells for visual schematic generation (usually .sdb files). Example .synopsys_dc.setup File
# 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
project_root/ ├── rtl/ # Source HDL files (.v, .sv) ├── scripts/ # Tcl synthesis scripts ├── libs/ # Technology library files (.db, .lib) ├── work/ # Active tool execution directory └── output/ # Generated netlists, SDC, and reports ├── netlist/ └── reports/ Use code with caution. Initializing the Environment synopsys design compiler tutorial 2021
# Define search paths for source files and libraries set search_path [list . ../rtl ../scripts /path/to/foundry/pdk/db] # Target Library: The cells DC maps your logic onto set target_library [list target_cell_library.db] # Link Library: Used to resolve references (include '*' to link to internal memory) set link_library [list * target_cell_library.db macro_library.db] # Synthetic Library: Synopsys DesignWare components for arithmetic operations set synthetic_library [list dw_foundation.sldb] set link_library [concat $link_library $synthetic_library] # Define directory for tracking command logs set view_command_log_file "./command.log" Use code with caution. 3. The Synopsys Design Compiler Flow
A major challenge in synthesis was the "timing closure gap": the netlist timing predicted by DC often differed significantly from what physical design tools (like IC Compiler II) would calculate after placement and routing. This led to costly iterative loops. Synopsys introduced topographical technology to bridge this gap. It uses a virtual placement engine during synthesis to more accurately estimate wire delays. This technology enabled DC to predict timing and area within 10% of the final post-layout results. By 2021, this technology had been further refined, with users reporting a correlation consistency as tight as 5% for some designs. Initializing the Environment # Define search paths for
set designer "YOUR_NAME" set company "YOUR_COMPANY" set search_path [list . /path/to/your/libraries] set target_library "your_technology.db" set link_library "* $target_library" set symbol_library "your_technology.sdb" define_design_lib work -path ./WORK
source constraints.sdc check_timing > reports/check_timing.rpt The Synopsys Design Compiler Flow A major challenge
: Typically includes the target library and any RAM/IP models. 🔄 The 4-Step Synthesis Flow Synthesis follows a structured path from code to gates. 1. Read & Elaborate