Simulation on critical paths with extracted netlist

[sm1z]

Hello,

I am stucked on trying to simulate some critical paths based on extracted netlists.
I have interconnect netlists and gates extracted netlists.
Is it enough to start simulation in some PVTs.
And is there any methodologies for that?
Thanks for helping me.

 

[jbeniston]

Use the SPEF generated by your extraction tool to create a SDF file in a tool such as PrimeTime. Then simulate the extracted netlist using the SDF you just generated, in something like ModelSim. You will need to do this for each corner you are interested in.

Don't forget to run STA in PrimeTime while you are making the SDF.

 

[rca]

what'a the goal to simulate the critical path ?
to be able to reproduce it during test production ?

 

[sm1z]

Actually the goal is to have delay of critical paths versus PVT.

Thank you jbeniston for your reply but I do not want to do an STA.
I have only extracted netlist of interconnect and gates (.spi files).
So based based on that is possible to start simulation or maybe generate a schematic.
Thanks

 

[rca]

so you plan to make a spice simulation of the critical path ?

Primetime can extract and generate a spice netlist and provide the setup to enable this path for a spice simulator,a nd by this way you obtain a spice view of the critical path and you simulate it in various corner.

 

[sm1z]

Yes, I want to simulate some critical paths on differing PVTs.
And I have only .spi files.
I am using a tool which use eldo I think.
How can I proceed to generate the schematic using this spice files?

 

[jbeniston]

If you are using ELDO, can't you just simulate using the spice files directly?

 

[rca]

to simulate with ELDO, you don't need the schematic, the spi netlist file is enough, as said jbeniston

 

[sm1z]

Yes but the problem is that I don't the inputs of the critical paths.
And it is very difficult to search them in a wide netlist...
So is there any method to locate inputs and outputs without generating schematic?

 

[Oveis.Gharan]

Dear all,
I have found your discussion so usefiul about spice simulating of extracted critical path.
But could you please tell me how you cando such thing? I have synthesized my moudules and i want to simulate the critical path with HSPICE but i coul not extrct spice netlist of critical path.

I am patiently awaiting for your guidances.
Best Regards.
Oveis.