Late Breaking Results: Scan-Chain Optimization with Constrained Single Linkage Clustering and Geometry-Based Cluster Balancing

Scan chain optimization is an optimization step in the physical design flow where connections between placed scannable elements are re-ordered to reduce the total wirelength, there-by improving routability and power. In this paper we present a hierarchical clustering technique using single linkage followed by geometry-based balancing to adhere to test requirements while improving scan chain wirelength. The proposed method is compared against commonly used K-means clustering method and demonstrates a maximum improvement of around 10% for certain design topologies.