VLSI/FPGA

Design and Test CAD Tool

Flow in Mentor Graphics
(Automating the Concept-to-ASIC Design Process)

Victor P. Nelson

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 1

 Mentor Graphics CAD Tool Suites
 IC/SoC design flow1
 DFT/BIST/ATPG design flow1
 FPGA design flow2
 PCB design flow2
 Digital/analog/mixed-signal modeling & simulation1,2
 ASIC/FPGA synthesis1,2
 Vendor-provided (Xilinx,Altera,etc.) back end tools2

1. User-setup selection: eda/mentor/ICFlow2004.3

2. User-setup selection: eda/mentor/EN2002.3

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 2

 Mentor Graphics CAD Tools
(select “eda/mentor” in user-setup on the Sun network*)

 ICFlow2004.3 (2001, 2005.1) – For custom & standard cell IC designs

– IC flow tools (Design Architect-IC, IC Station, Calibre)
– Digital/analog/mixed simulation (Modelsim,ADVance MS,Eldo,MachTA)
– HDL Synthesis (Leonardo)
– ATPG/DFT/BIST tools (DFT Advisor, Flextest, Fastscan)
– Limited access to Quicksim II (some technologies)
 EN2002u3 (EN2001) – For FPGA “front end” design & printed circuit boards
– Design Architect, Quicksim II, Quicksim Pro (Schematic/Simulation)
– ModelSim & Leonardo (HDL Simulation/Synthesis)
– Xilinx ISE & Altera “Quartus” tools (Back end design)
 FPGA (FPGA Advantage, Modelsim, Leonardo)

*Only one of the above three groups may be selected at a time

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 3

 Mentor Graphics ASIC Design Kit (ADK)
 Technology files & standard cell libraries
– AMI: ami12, ami05 (1.2, 0.5 μm)
– TSMC: tsmc035, tsmc025, tsmc018* (0.35, 0.25, 0.18 μm)
* No std. cells for tsmc018
 IC flow & DFT tool support files:
– Simulation
 VHDL/Verilog/Mixed-Signal models (Modelsim/ADVance MS)
 Analog (SPICE) models (Eldo/Accusim)
 Post-layout timing (Mach TA)
 Digital schematic (Quicksim II, Quicksim Pro) (exc. tsmc025,tsmc018)
– Synthesis to std. cells (LeonardoSpectrum)
– Design for test & ATPG (DFT Advisor, Flextest/Fastscan)
– Schematic capture (Design Architect-IC)
– IC physical design (standard cell & custom)
 Floorplan, place & route (IC Station)
 Design rule check, layout VLSI
Feb 15, 2006
vs schematic,
D&T Seminar
parameter extraction (Calibre) 4
 Xilinx/Altera FPGA/CPLD Design
 Technology files & libraries for front-end design with
Mentor Graphics tools
– Schematic symbols for Design Architect
– Simulation models for Quicksim II, Quicksim Pro
– Synthesis library for Leonardo
 Vendor tools for back-end design
(map, place, route, configure, timing)
– Xilinx Integrated Software Environment (ISE)
– Altera Quartus II & Max+Plus2

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 5

 ASIC Design Flow
Behavioral
Verify
Model
Function
VHDL/Verilog
Synthesis
DFT/BIST Gate-Level Verify
& ATPG Netlist Function

Test vectors Full-custom IC

Transistor-Level Verify Function

Standard Cell IC Netlist & Timing
& FPGA/CPLD

Physical
DRC & LVS Verify
Layout
Verification Timing
Map/Place/Route

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 6

IC Mask Data/FPGA Configuration File
 Digital/Mixed-Signal Simulation
VHDL,Verilog,
VHDL-AMS, Verilog-A,
SPICE Models
VITAL Resource
Libraries
Working Design_1
Library Design_2 IEEE 1164

Simulation Input
ADVance MS
Setup Stimuli

Mixed Signal
Eldo, EZwave (VHDL-AMS,
Eldo RF or Xelga ModelSim Verilog-A)
Analog View Results
Mach TA Digital
(SPICE)
Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar
(VHDL,Verilog) 7
 Example: 4-bit binary counter
 VHDL model (count4.vhd)
– Create working library: vlib work
vmap work work
– Compile: vcom count4.vhd
– Simulate: vsim count4(rtl)
 ModelSim simulation-control inputs
– ModelSim “Macro” (count4_rtl.do)
– OR, VHDL testbench
 ModelSim results
– listing or waveform
Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 8
 -- count4.vhd 4-bit parallel-load synchronous counter
LIBRARY ieee;
USE ieee.std_logic_1164.all; USE ieee.numeric_std.all;

ENTITY count4 IS
PORT (clock,clear,enable,load_count : IN STD_LOGIC;
D: IN unsigned(3 downto 0);
Q: OUT unsigned(3 downto 0));
END count4;

ARCHITECTURE rtl OF count4 IS

SIGNAL int : unsigned(3 downto 0);
BEGIN
PROCESS(clear, clock, enable)
BEGIN
IF (clear = '1') THEN
int <= "0000";
ELSIF (clock'EVENT AND clock='1') THEN
IF (enable = '1') THEN
IF (load_count = '1') THEN
int <= D;
ELSE
int <= int + "01";
END IF;
END IF;
END IF;
END PROCESS;
Q <= int;
END rtl;
Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 9
 Modelsim “do” file: count4_rtl.do
add wave /clock /clear /enable /load_count /D /Q
add list /clock /clear /enable /load_count /D /Q
force /clock 0 0, 1 10 -repeat 20
force /clear 0 0, 1 5, 0 10
force /enable 0 0, 1 25
force /load_count 0 0, 1 20, 0 35, 1 330, 0 350
force /D 10#5 0, 10#9 300
run 400

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 10

 Count4 – Simulation waveform

Clear
Counting
Parallel
Load
Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 11
 Automated Synthesis with
Leonardo Spectrum
VHDL/Verilog
Technology Behavioral/RTL Models
Synthesis
Libraries

FPGA Leonardo Spectrum Design

(Level 3) Constraints
ASIC

ADK Level 1 – FPGA

AMI 0.5, 1.2 Technology-
Specific
Level 2 – FPGA + Timing
TSMC 0.35, 0.25
Netlist

VHDL, Verilog, SDF,

EDIF, XNF
Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 12
 Synthesis in Leonardo:
HDL to technology-specific netlist
1. Invoke leonardo
2. Select & load a technology library (ASIC or FPGA)
– ASIC > ADK > TSMC 0.35 micron
3. Read input VHDL/Verilog file(s): count4.vhd
4. Enter any constraints (clock freq, delays, etc.)
5. Optimize for area/delay/effort level
6. Write output file(s)
– count4_0.vhd - VHDL netlist
– count4.v - Verilog netlist (for IC layout)
– count4.sdf - Standard delay format file (for timing)
– count4.edf - EDIF netlist (for Xilinx/Altera FPGA)
Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 13
Leonardo-synthesized netlist count4_0.vhd
library IEEE; use IEEE.STD_LOGIC_1164.all;
library adk; use adk.adk_components.all; -- ADDED BY VPN
entity count4 is
port (
clock : IN std_logic ; clear : IN std_logic ; enable : IN std_logic ; load_count : IN std_logic ;
D : IN std_logic_vector (3 DOWNTO 0) ; Q : OUT std_logic_vector (3 DOWNTO 0)) ;
end count4 ;

architecture netlist of count4 is -- rtl changed to netlist by VPN

signal Q_3_EXMPLR, Q_2_EXMPLR, Q_1_EXMPLR, Q_0_EXMPLR, nx8, nx14, nx22,
nx28, nx48, nx54, nx62, nx126, nx136, nx146, nx156, nx169, nx181,
nx183, nx185, nx187, nx189: std_logic ;
begin
Q(3) <= Q_3_EXMPLR ; Q(2) <= Q_2_EXMPLR ; Q(1) <= Q_1_EXMPLR ; Q(0) <= Q_0_EXMPLR ;
Q_0_EXMPLR_EXMPLR : dffr port map ( Q=>Q_0_EXMPLR, QB=>OPEN, D=>nx126, CLK=>clock, R=>clear);
ix127 : mux21_ni port map ( Y=>nx126, A0=>Q_0_EXMPLR, A1=>nx8, S0=>enable );
ix9 : oai21 port map ( Y=>nx8, A0=>load_count, A1=>Q_0_EXMPLR, B0=>nx169 );
ix170 : nand02 port map ( Y=>nx169, A0=>D(0), A1=>load_count);
Q_1_EXMPLR_EXMPLR : dffr port map ( Q=>Q_1_EXMPLR, QB=>OPEN, D=>nx136, CLK=>clock, R=>clear);
ix137 : mux21_ni port map ( Y=>nx136, A0=>Q_1_EXMPLR, A1=>nx28, S0=> enable);
ix29 : ao22 port map ( Y=>nx28, A0=>D(1), A1=>load_count, B0=>nx14, B1=> nx22);
ix15 : or02 port map ( Y=>nx14, A0=>Q_0_EXMPLR, A1=>Q_1_EXMPLR);
ix23 : aoi21 port map ( Y=>nx22, A0=>Q_1_EXMPLR, A1=>Q_0_EXMPLR, B0=> load_count);
Q_2_EXMPLR_EXMPLR : dffr port map ( Q=>Q_2_EXMPLR, QB=>OPEN, D=>nx146, CLK=>clock, R=>clear);
ix147 : mux21_ni port map ( Y=>nx146, A0=>Q_2_EXMPLR, A1=>nx48, S0=> enable);
ix49 : oai21 port map ( Y=>nx48, A0=>nx181, A1=>nx183, B0=>nx189);
ix182 : aoi21 port map ( Y=>nx181, A0=>Q_1_EXMPLR, A1=>Q_0_EXMPLR, B0=> Q_2_EXMPLR);
ix184 : nand02 port map ( Y=>nx183, A0=>nx185, A1=>nx187);
ix186 : inv01 port map ( Y=>nx185, A=>load_count);
ix188 : nand03 port map ( Y=>nx187, A0=>Q_2_EXMPLR, A1=>Q_1_EXMPLR, A2=> Q_0_EXMPLR);
ix190 : nand02 port map ( Y=>nx189, A0=>D(2), A1=>load_count);
Q_3_EXMPLR_EXMPLR : dffr port map ( Q=>Q_3_EXMPLR, QB=>OPEN, D=>nx156, CLK=>clock, R=>clear);
ix157 : mux21_ni port map ( Y=>nx156, A0=>Q_3_EXMPLR, A1=>nx62, S0=> enable);
ix63 : mux21_ni port map ( Y=>nx62, A0=>nx54, A1=>D(3), S0=>load_count);
Feb:15,xnor2
ix55 2006port map ( Y=>nx54, A0=>Q_3_EXMPLR, VLSI A1=>nx187);
D&T Seminar 14
end netlist ;
// Verilog description for cell count4, LeonardoSpectrum Level 3, 2005a.82
module count4 ( clock, clear, enable, load_count, D, Q ) ;
input clock ;
input clear ;
input enable ;
input load_count ;
input [3:0]D ;
output [3:0]Q ;

wire nx8, nx14, nx22, nx28, nx48, nx54, nx62, nx126, nx136, nx146, nx156, nx169, nx181, nx183, nx185, nx187,
nx189;
wire [3:0] \$dummy ;

dffr Q_0__rename_rename (.Q (Q[0]), .QB (\$dummy [0]), .D (nx126), .CLK (clock), .R (clear)) ;
mux21_ni ix127 (.Y (nx126), .A0 (Q[0]), .A1 (nx8), .S0 (enable)) ;
oai21 ix9 (.Y (nx8), .A0 (load_count), .A1 (Q[0]), .B0 (nx169)) ;
nand02 ix170 (.Y (nx169), .A0 (D[0]), .A1 (load_count)) ;
dffr Q_1__rename_rename (.Q (Q[1]), .QB (\$dummy [1]), .D (nx136), .CLK (clock), .R (clear)) ;
mux21_ni ix137 (.Y (nx136), .A0 (Q[1]), .A1 (nx28), .S0 (enable)) ;
ao22 ix29 (.Y (nx28), .A0 (D[1]), .A1 (load_count), .B0 (nx14), .B1 (nx22) ) ;
or02 ix15 (.Y (nx14), .A0 (Q[0]), .A1 (Q[1])) ;
aoi21 ix23 (.Y (nx22), .A0 (Q[1]), .A1 (Q[0]), .B0 (load_count)) ;
dffr Q_2__rename_rename (.Q (Q[2]), .QB (\$dummy [2]), .D (nx146), .CLK (clock), .R (clear)) ;
mux21_ni ix147 (.Y (nx146), .A0 (Q[2]), .A1 (nx48), .S0 (enable)) ;
oai21 ix49 (.Y (nx48), .A0 (nx181), .A1 (nx183), .B0 (nx189)) ;
aoi21 ix182 (.Y (nx181), .A0 (Q[1]), .A1 (Q[0]), .B0 (Q[2])) ;
nand02 ix184 (.Y (nx183), .A0 (nx185), .A1 (nx187)) ;
inv01 ix186 (.Y (nx185), .A (load_count)) ;
nand03 ix188 (.Y (nx187), .A0 (Q[2]), .A1 (Q[1]), .A2 (Q[0])) ;
nand02 ix190 (.Y (nx189), .A0 (D[2]), .A1 (load_count)) ;
dffr Q_3__rename_rename (.Q (Q[3]), .QB (\$dummy [3]), .D (nx156), .CLK (clock), .R (clear)) ;
mux21_ni ix157 (.Y (nx156), .A0 (Q[3]), .A1 (nx62), .S0 (enable)) ;
mux21_ni ix63 (.Y (nx62), .A0 (nx54), .A1 (D[3]), .S0 (load_count)) ;
xnor2 ix55 (.Y (nx54), .A0 (Q[3]), .A1 (nx187)) ;
Feb 15, 2006
endmodule VLSI D&T Seminar 15
 Post-synthesis simulation
(with Leonardo-generated netlist)
 Verify synthesized netlist vs behavioral model
 Create simulation primitives library for std cells:
>vlib adk
>vcom $ADK/technology/adk.vhd
>vcom $ADK/technology/adk_comp.vhd
 Insert library/package declaration in netlist
library adk;
use adk.adk_components.all;
 Simulate in Modelsim, using “do file” from behavioral
simulation – results should be same

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 16

 Design for Test & Test Generation

Memory
& Logic
BIST Boundary
Scan

Internal
Scan Design

ATPG

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 17

 DFTadvisor/FastScan Design Flow

count4.vhd

count4_0.vhd
count4.v

DFT/ATPG count4_scan.v
Library:
adk.atpg

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 18

Source: FlexTest Manual
 Example DFTadvisor session
 Invoke:
– dftadvisor –verilog count4.v –lib $ADK/technology/adk.atpg

 Implement scan with defaults:

(full scan, mux-DFF scan elements)
– set system mode setup
– analyze control signals –auto
– set system mode dft
– run
– insert test logic
– write netlist count4_scan.v –verilog
– write atpg setup count4_scan
(creates count4_scan.dofile for ATPG in Fastscan)

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 19

 count4 – without scan design

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 20

 count4 – scan inserted by DFTadvisor

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 21

 ATPG with FastScan
(full-scan circuit)
 Invoke:
– fastscan –verilog count4.v –lib $ADK/technology/adk.atpg
 Generate test pattern file:
– dofile count4_scan.dofile (defines scan path & procedure)
– set system mode atpg
– create patterns –auto (generate test patterns)
– save patterns

Note: “count4_scan.dofile” created by DFTadvisor

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 22
 Test file: scan chain definition and
load/unload procedures
scan_group "grp1" =
scan_chain "chain1" =
scan_in = "/scan_in1";
scan_out = "/output[3]";
length = 4;
end;
procedure shift "grp1_load_shift" = procedure load "grp1_load" =
force_sci "chain1" 0; force "/clear" 0 0;
force "/clock" 1 20; force "/clock" 0 0;
force "/clock" 0 30; force "/scan_en" 1 0;
period 40; apply "grp1_load_shift" 4 40;
end; end;
procedure shift "grp1_unload_shift" = procedure unload "grp1_unload" =
measure_sco "chain1" 10; force "/clear" 0 0;
force "/clock" 1 20; force "/clock" 0 0;
force "/clock" 0 30; force "/scan_en" 1 0;
period 40; apply "grp1_unload_shift" 4 40;
end; end;
end;

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 23

 Generated scan-based test
// send a pattern through the scan chain
CHAIN_TEST =
pattern = 0;
apply "grp1_load" 0 = (use grp1_load procedure)
chain "chain1" = "0011"; (pattern to scan in)
end;
apply "grp1_unload" 1 = (use grp1_unload procedure)
chain "chain1" = "1100"; (pattern scanned out)
end;
end;
// one of 14 patterns for the counter circuit
pattern = 0; (pattern #)
apply "grp1_load" 0 = (load scan chain)
chain "chain1" = "1000"; (scan-in pattern)
end;
force "PI" "00110" 1; (PI pattern)
measure "PO" "0010" 2; (expected POs)
pulse "/clock" 3; (normal op. cycle)
apply "grp1_unload" 4 = (read scan chain)
chain "chain1" = "0110"; (expected pattern)
end;
Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 24
 ASIC Physical Design (Standard Cell)
Component-Level Netlist (EDDM format)

Std. Cell Mentor Graphics

Floorplan
Layouts
Chip/Block
“IC Station”
Libraries (adk_ic)
ICblocks
Process Data
Place & Route
Design Rules Std. Cells

Layout vs.
Generate Design Rule Backannotate
Schematic
Mask Data Check Schematic
Check
Calibre Calibre Calibre
IC15,Mask
Feb 2006 Data Mach
VLSI TA/Eldo
D&T Seminar Simulation Model 25
 Preparation for Layout
1. Use Design Architect-IC to convert Verilog netlist to
Mentor Graphics “EDDM” schematic/netlist format
– Invoke Design Architect-IC (adk_daic)
– On menu bar, select File > Import Verilog
 Netlist file: count4.v (the Verilog netlist)
 Output directory: count4 (for the EDDM netlist)
 Mapping file $ADK/technology/adk_map.vmp
2. Open the generated schematic for viewing
– Click Schematic in DA-IC palette
– Select schematic in directory named above (see next slide)
– Click Update LVS in the schematic palette to create a netlist to
be used later by “Calibre”
3. Create design viewpoints for ICstation tools
– adk_dve count4 –t tsmc035 (V.P’s: layout, lvs, sdl, tsmc035)
 Can also create gate/transistor schematics directly in
DA-IC using components from the ADK library
Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 26
 DA-IC generated schematic

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 27

 Create a std-cell based logic block
in IC Station
 Invoke: adk_ic
 In IC Station palette, select: Create Cell
– Cell name: count4
– Attach library: $ADK/technology/ic/process/tsmc035
– Process: $ADK/technology/ic/process/tsmc035
– Rules file: $ADK/technology/ic/process/tsmc035.rules
– Angle mode: 45
– Cell type: block
– Select With connectivity
– EDDM schematic viewpoint: count4/layout
– Logic loading options: flat
Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 28
 Create Cell dialog box

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 29

 Cell-Based IC

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 30

 Cell-Based Block

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 31

Basic standard
Cell layout

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T SeminarSource: Weste “CMOS VLSI Design”
32
 Auto “floorplan” the block
place & route > autofp

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 33

 Auto-place the std cells
Autoplc > StdCel

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 34

Auto-place “ports” (Autoplc > Ports) Signal
connections on cell boundaries

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 35

 AutoRoute all nets
(hand-route any unrouted “overflows”)

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 36

Then: Add > Port Text to copy port names from schematic – for Calibre
 Layout design rule check (DRC)
 Technology-specific design rules specify
minimum sizes, spacing, etc. of features to
ensure reliable fabrication
– Design rules file specified at startup
Ex. tsmc035.rules
 From main palette, select ICrules
– Click Check and then OK in prompt box
(can optionally select a specific area to check)
– Rules checked in numeric order

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 37

 Common errors detected by DRC
 To fix, click on First in palette to highlight first
error
– Error is highlighted in the layout
– Click View to zoom in to the error (see next)
– Example: DRC9_2: Metal2 spacing = 3L
– Fix by drawing a rectangle of metal2 to fill in the gap
between contacts that should be connected
 Click Next to go to next error, until all are fixed

NOTE: There must be no DRC errors if MOSIS is to

fabricate the chip – they will run their own DRC.

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 38

Error: DRC9_2 metal2 spacing = 3L

Draw
rectangle
of metal2
to fill gap

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 39

 Layout vs schematic check
Calibre Interactive LVS
 From ICstation menu: Calibre > Run LVS
– In popup, Calibre location: $MGC_HOME/../Calibre
– Rules: $ADK/technology/ic/process/tsmc035.calibre.rules
– Input: count4.src.net (previously created in DA-IC)
– H-cells: $ADK/technology/adk.hcell (hierarchical cells)
– Extracted file: count4.lay.net
 Compares extracted transistor-level netlist vs.
netlist saved in DA-IC

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 40

 Post-layout parameter extraction
Calibre Interactive PEX
 Extract Spice netlist, including parasitic RC
– Simulate in Eldo or MachTA
 ICstation menu: Calibre>Run PEX
– Options similar to Calibre LVS
– Extraction options:
 lumped C + coupling cap’s
 distributed RC
 distributed RC + coupling cap’s
– Output file: count4.pex.netlist

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 41

Post-layout simulation with MachTA
 MachTA is an accelerated Spice simulator
– Can do standard Spice analyses (dc transient)
– Can execute a test vector file
– Results displayed in “EZwave”
 Prepare netlist for MachTA (remove subcircuits)
– mta_prep count4
 Invoke:
mta –ezw –t $ADK/technology/mta/tsmc035 TYP count4.sp

Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 42

 Physical Design - FPGA
Component-Level Netlist

Xilinx “ISE”
Altera “Max Plus 2” Map to FPGA
LUTs, FFs, IOBs

FPGA/PLD
User-Specified Technology
Place & Route Files
Constraints

Generate
Generate
Programming
Timing Model
Data

Feb 15, 2006 Configuration VLSI

FileD&T Seminar
Simulation Model 43
ADVance MS Simulation System
 ADVance MS “kernel” supports:
– VHDL & Verilog: digital (via ModelSim)
– VHDL-AMS & Verilog-A: analog/mixed signal
– Eldo/SPICE: analog (via Eldo)
– Eldo RF/SPICE: analog RF (via Eldo RF)
– Mach TA/SPICE: high-speed analog/timing
 Invoke stand-alone or from Design Architect-IC

 Mentor Graphics “Legacy” Simulators (PCB design)

– Quicksim II, Quicksim Pro (digital)
– ASIC: adk_quicksim
– FPGA/PLD: Xilinx: pld_quicksim, Altera: max2_quicksim
– Accusim (analog): adk_accusim
Feb 15, 2006 VLSI D&T Seminar 44