( ESNUG 373 Item 7 ) -------------------------------------------- [06/07/01]
Subject: ( ESNUG 372 #3 ) PhysOpt Can't Handle Designs With 100+ SRAMS
> There are a lot of SRAM macros (over 100) in our design, and around 20%
> of die size is used for standard cells. Does anyone has experience with
> PhysOpt to optimize the design like ours?
>
> - Qi Chen
> Gennum Corp.
From: Qi Chen <qchen@gennum.com>
Hi, John,
We don't have a copy of PhysOpt. I have experience with PhysOpt from my
previous company.
Here is the information I got from Synopsys about this issue:
1) The current version of PhysOpt can not handle macro placement.
2) Synopsys will include the macro placement in future version.
(I don't know when.)
Here are my thoughts: In order to get good macro placement, the designers
should understand the architecture level design and signal flow in the
chip. If the critical paths are localized, a manual job is doable. If
the critical paths are global control signals, the macro placement will be
a tough job.
I was told Magma could perform macro placement, but I have not tried it yet.
I fear that a tool which can perform 100+ macros placement isn't available
in the current market.
- Qi Chen
Gennum Corp.
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