Concurrent timing optimization of latch-based digital systems

Abstract

Many techniques have been proposed to optimize digital system timing. Each technique can be advantageous in particular applications, however they are most often applied individually rather than concurrently. The framework presented here allows for concurrent timing optimization using retiming, intentional clock skew, and wave pipelining for latch-based designed systems with single or multi-phase clocking. This optimization is formulated as a mixed integer linear program. Our integrated framework also includes a new optimization technique called resynchronization which allows for the insertion of latches in the shortest paths and thus avoids race conditions. Our work has been applied to several designs and is able to significantly reduce the clock period.