Precision in Source Synchronous Design: Strategies for Predictable Physical Implementation

This paper addresses challenges in the structural design implementation of Source Synchronous Design (SSD), where achieving the simultaneous arrival of clock and data signals proves challenging. We present an innovative approach to implementing a source synchronous design, mitigating skew issues between clock and data signals. Our presented solution harnesses a SSD topology comprising two distinct stages. Initially, employing the SSD routing flow, we navigate the critical signal nets, and subsequently, clock routing is done adhering to specified rules and constraints. This approach enables significantly higher speeds and facilitates the seamless transfer of high-speed data between microchips. The articulated approach systematically navigates timing intricacies while proactively mitigating crosstalk and noise issues, thereby optimizing the design. The main objective is to achieve better outcomes in terms of Power, Performance, and Area (PPA) metrics, enhancing the overall Quality of Results (QoR). Achieving significant improvements, our efforts resulted in a 48% reduction in latency, a decrease in data path delay by 59.20%, improved dynamic power by 39.6%, data path depth was reduced by 60%, and clock path depth by 62.5%.