About cookies on this site Our websites require some cookies to function properly (required). In addition, other cookies may be used with your consent to analyze site usage, improve the user experience and for advertising. For more information, please review your options. By visiting our website, you agree to our processing of information as described in IBM’sprivacy statement. To provide a smooth navigation, your cookie preferences will be shared across the IBM web domains listed here.
Publication
ICCAD 2020
Conference paper
DATC RDF-2020: Strengthening the Foundation for Academic Research in IC Physical Design
Abstract
We describe the RDF-2020 release of the IEEE CEDA DATC Robust Design Flow (RDF). RDF-2020 extends the previous four years of DATC efforts to (i) preserve and integrate leading research codes, including from past academic contests, and (ii) provide a foundation and backplane for academic research in the RTL-to-GDS IC implementation arena. Implementation and analysis flows have been enhanced by the addition of steps including multi-bit flip-flop clustering, parasitic extraction and antenna checking, as well as a recent contest-winning global router. RDF-2020 also opens a new 'Calibrations' direction to support academic research on key analyses such as extraction and timing. An open-source physical design database with Tcl/Python/C++ APIs, a flow integration into a single scriptable application, and support for the newly-opened SKY130 manufacturable PDK, are also new this year. Our paper closes with a discussion of potential future directions for the RDF effort.