Using the Open Library Architecture (OLA) open source API in heterogeneous design flows

Abstract

Design and timing closure are critical issues in modern design flows. Industry common library formats like .lib, CLF and TLF do not provide a means to embed arbitrary delay information and complex interconnect algorithms. Designers and silicon providers are at the mercy of these restrictions. Algorithms are applied to characterization data and proprietary interconnect analysis modules to minimize the error when mapping into these formats. The result is that numerous errors creep in to the tools that employ these formats. Often, these inaccuracies force unnecessary design iterations, technology guard banding, and finger pointing between the tool and library providers. With interconnect delay dominating path timing, it is more critical than ever to move past the text based library formats and to an API based solution that provides a way to embed interconnect analysis in the technology models. The Open Library Architecture addresses these issues by implementing an open C API. This API allows the library vendor to implement arbitrary data structures and algorithms. The same OLA module is employed consistently throughout the design flow which eliminates the loops which lead to inaccurate library mapping algorithms.