AFTA: A formal delay model for functional timing analysis

Despite its importance, we find that a rigorous theoretical foundation for performing timing analysis has been lacking so far. As a result, we have initiated a research project that aims to provide such a foundation for functional timing analysis. As part of this work we have developed an abstract automaton based delay model that accounts for the various analog factors affecting delay, such as signal slopes, near simultaneous switching, etc., while at the same rime accounting for circuit functionality. This paper presents this delay model.