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Signal Electromigration (Signal EM): Violations, Examples, and Practical Fixes

  Hello Dear Readers,   Today in this post, I will provide some deep insight into the Signal Electromigration (Signal EM): Violations, Examples, and Practical Fixes. 1. Introduction: As technology nodes shrink into the deep‑submicron and nanometer regime (7nm, 5nm, 3nm and beyond), electromigration (EM) has become a first‑order reliability concern—not only for power/ground (PG) networks but also for signal nets. Signal EM failures are often underestimated because signal currents are transient and bidirectional. However, with higher switching activity, tighter metal pitches, thinner wires, and aggressive timing closure, signal EM can cause latent or early‑life failures if not addressed properly. This article explains: What Signal EM is and how it differs from PG EM Typical Signal EM violation scenarios Detailed, practical examples Root causes behind each violation Proven solutions and best practices to fix and prevent Signal EM issues 2. What is Signal Electromigration: El...
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Timing Optimization In ASIC Design

 Hello Dear Readers, 

Today in this post I will provide some techniques for timing optimization in ASIC Design.

Timing Optimization Techniques are as follows:

1. Mapping:
Mapping converts primitive logic cells found in a netlist to technology-specific logic gates found in the library on the timing critical paths.

2. Unmapping:
Unmapping converts the technology-specific logic gates in the netlist to primitive logic gates on the timing critical paths.

3. Pin Swapping :
Pin swapping optimization examines the slacks on the inputs of the gates on the worst timing paths and optimizes the timing by swapping nets attached to the input pins, so the net with the least amount of slack is put on the fastest path through the gate without changing the function of the logic.

4. Buffering:
Buffers are inserted in the design to drive a load that is too large for a logic cell to efficiently drive.
If the net is too long then the net is broken and buffers are inserted to improve the transition which will ultimately improve the timing on the data path and reduce the setup violation.
To reduce the hold violations buffers are inserted to add delay on data paths.

5. Cell Sizing:
Cell sizing is the process of assigning a drive strength for a specific cell in the library to a cell instance in the design. If there is a low drive strength cell in the timing critical path then this cell is replaced by a higher drive strength cell to reduce the timing violation.

6. Cloning:
Cell cloning is a method of optimization that decreases a load of a very heavily loaded cell by replicating the cell. Replication is done by connecting an identical cell to the same inputs as the original cell. Cloning clones the cell to divide the fanout load to improve the timing.

7. Logic Restructuring:
Logic restructuring means rearranging logic to meet timing constraints on critical paths of design.

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