Design Compiler is the industry-standard RTL synthesis solution. It transforms Register Transfer Level (RTL) code (Verilog or VHDL) into an optimized gate-level netlist by mapping the design to a specific . Key 2021+ Features:
You can read HDL files using either the read_verilog / read_vhdl commands or the analyze and elaborate commands. The analyze and elaborate method is highly recommended because it checks syntax before building the design architecture.
# Define output directory file mkdir ./outputs # Write out the structural gate-level netlist (Verilog format) write -format verilog -hierarchy -output ./outputs/top_module.v # Write out internal database format for Synopsys ecosystem tools write -format ddc -hierarchy -output ./outputs/top_module.ddc # Export Synopsys Design Constraints file for Placement and Routing write_sdc ./outputs/top_module.sdc # Export Standard Delay Format file for gate-level simulation validation write_sdf ./outputs/top_module.sdf Use code with caution. 8. Complete Synthesis Run-Script Template
Before starting DC, you must set up the environment correctly. The configuration is largely controlled by a file named .synopsys_dc.setup in your working directory. This hidden file tells DC where to find all the necessary design data and libraries. The key libraries you need to define are: synopsys design compiler tutorial 2021
DC 2021 natively supports SDC 3.0. Constraints define WHAT you want to achieve.
Synopsys Design Compiler (DC) is the industry-standard tool for logic synthesis. It transforms Register Transfer Level (RTL) hardware descriptions into technology-dependent, gate-level netlists optimized for speed, area, and power.
# In your .bashrc or .cshrc setenv SYNOPSYS_HOME /tools/synopsys/2021.03 setenv PATH $SYNOPSYS_HOME/bin:$PATH setenv SNPSLMD_LICENSE_FILE 27000@license_server setenv LM_LICENSE_FILE 27000@license_server The analyze and elaborate method is highly recommended
compile -map_effort high -area_effort high
Before running Design Compiler, you must configure the tool environment variables. This is done by creating a setup file named .synopsys_dc.setup in your project working directory. Key Library Variables
Synopsys Design Compiler 2021 remains the gold standard not because of revolutionary changes, but due to its relentless refinement of and automation . The tutorial above—from read_verilog to write_sdc —can be templated for any ASIC project. covering environment setup
This tutorial provides a complete walkthrough of the logic synthesis workflow, covering environment setup, constraints definition, optimization strategies, and report analysis. 1. Introduction to Logic Synthesis
# Check for setup or hold time violations across the design report_timing -delay_type max -max_paths 10 > reports/timing_setup.rpt # Analyze cell, net, and total area usage report_area > reports/area.rpt # Verify power estimation metrics (Static and Dynamic) report_power > reports/power.rpt # Check constraint compliance violations report_constraint -all_violators > reports/violators.rpt Use code with caution. Reading a Timing Report
Open a terminal and invoke the GUI or shell mode.