Synopsys develops base curve modelling technology

Starting at 65 nanometers, and becoming critical at 45 nanometers, increased process variation and low power design flows require more library corners, plus more complete and accurate power modelling views, causing library file size to increase 10 fold over the previous node.

This is presenting a major storage, distribution and EDA tool efficiency challenge for the semiconductor industry.

Base curve technology is an approach that takes advantage of similarities in timing and power current waveforms across various grid points, as well as various cells in the libraries, to minimise the amount of data stored without any impact on accuracy.

Besides helping reduce library file size by a factor of four, base curve technology improves application tool capacity and allows sign-off tools such as the Primetime solution to run up to 60 per cent faster.

The enhanced CCS library format with base curve syntax has been approved by the Liberty Technical Advisory Board (TAB), a programme of the IEEE Industry Standards and Technology Organization.