Design Methodology for 2.4GHz Dual-Core Microprocessor

Abstract

This paper presents a design methodology that was applied to the design of a 2.4GHz dual-core SPARC64trade microprocessor with 90nm CMOS technology. It focuses on the newly adopted techniques, such as efficient data management in dual-core design, fast delay calculation of the noise-immune clock distribution circuit, enhanced signal integrity analysis of a large-scale custom macro design, and enhanced diagnosis capability using a logic BIST circuit.