After compilation completes, you must check if your constraints were met. Never skip this validation step. Generating Reports
DC 2021 does not fix hold timing. It only fixes setup. Hold fixes happen in PrimeTime or ICC2 using clock tree insertion. Ignore hold violations in DC unless they are > 0.5ns.
Before running Design Compiler, you must set up the environmental variables and configuration files. Design Compiler reads configuration settings from a file named .synopsys_dc.setup . This file should reside in your project working directory or home directory. Key Library Variables
Design Compiler transforms abstract RTL into structural gate-level representations. The 2021 synthesis flow focuses on: synopsys design compiler tutorial 2021
Design Compiler provides two primary methods to read designs: the read_file command or the sequential analyze and elaborate flow. The analyze and elaborate flow is highly recommended because it allows parameter overriding and checks for HDL syntax errors early. The Analyze and Elaborate Workflow
: Specifies the standard cell library ( .db format) provided by your foundry. The tool selects physical cells from this library to build your gate-level netlist.
Design Compiler: Timing, Area, Power, & Test Optimization | Synopsys After compilation completes, you must check if your
This is the initialization file. DC looks for it in three locations in order:
: This file is critical; it defines your search paths and links to your technology libraries ( target_library link_library Target Library
If you are working on mixed-signal or layout-heavy projects, you might also want to check out the Synopsys Custom Compiler for a more streamlined schematic-to-layout environment. It only fixes setup
Any specific you are encountering.
After elaboration, you must resolve references and check the design structure.
