Merging nodes under sequential observability

Abstract

This paper presents a new type of sequential technology independent synthesis. Building on the previous notions of combinational observability and sequential equivalence, sequential observability is introduced and discussed. By considering both the sequential nature of the design and observability simultaneously, better results can be obtained than with either algorithm alone. The experimental results show that this method can reduce the technology-independent gate count up to 10% more than the previously best known synthesis techniques.