Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a logic minimization method that provides improved user design performance without a substantial increase in user design area. Alternate factorizations are determined for portions of the user design. For each factorization, a delay metric is computed. The user design is optimized by selecting factorizations based on a balance of performance and area considerations. The optimized design is then mapped to the hardware architecture of the programmable device. A first portion of the user design is mapped to maximize performance, while a second portion of the user design is mapped to minimize area. The first portion of the user design includes a set of data paths each having a delay metric above a delay threshold. The delay metric can be derived from a unit delay computation or from timing analysis.

Abstract: A configuration for a programmable device is determined to implement an incomplete function using at least two logic cells. Function inputs are partitioned into portions associated with first and second logic cells. The partitioning is screened to determine if it is potentially acceptable by determining if a portion of the function can be implemented using a complete look-up table. If the partitioning of the function inputs is potentially acceptable, the function inputs are assigned to the input ports of the logic cells. Variables are assigned to look-up table locations and a correspondence is determined between function input and output values, the variables, and the look-up table locations. Boolean tautology rules are applied to the correspondence to simplify the variables. If the simplified variables are consistent, a configuration is output that includes assignments of function inputs to input ports and look-up table data based on the simplified variables.

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing the placement and synthesis of a circuit design on a programmable integrated circuit are provided. The performance of a circuit design is analyzed after it has been compiled with different values for selected input parameters. The input parameter values that produce the best results for an output metric are then chosen to synthesis and place the circuit design on the programmable integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the values of the output metrics are averaged for all test compiles that share the same input parameters, but different seeds. In another embodiment, the compile with the best output metrics, as determined by the user, are selected. These techniques allow a user to automatically trade off compile-time to get a better-optimized circuit.

Abstract: A configuration for a programmable device is determined to implement an incomplete function using at least two logic cells. Function inputs are partitioned into portions associated with first and second logic cells. The partitioning is screened to determine if it is potentially acceptable by determining if a portion of the function can be implemented using a complete look-up table. If the partitioning of the function inputs is potentially acceptable, the function inputs are assigned to the input ports of the logic cells. Variables are assigned to look-up table locations and a correspondence is determined between function input and output values, the variables, and the look-up table locations. Boolean tautology rules are applied to the correspondence to simplify the variables. If the simplified variables are consistent, a configuration is output that includes assignments of function inputs to input ports and look-up table data based on the simplified variables.

Abstract: A computer aided system includes a method of improving the accuracy, optimization, and minimization for the synthesis and mapping of logical functions into the logical structures of a target technology, such as the logic cells (e.g., look-up tables) of a programmable logic integrated circuit. In a specific implementation, the invention incorporates late-stage synthesis operations, such as found during a technology mapping operation, into earlier stage synthesis procedures. These late-stage synthesis operations are used to provide better estimates of delay and area of a final compiled design in order to guide optimization operations.

Abstract: An electronic automation system performs register retiming on a logic design, which may be a logic design for a programmable logic integrated circuit. Register retiming is a moving or rearranging of registers across combinatorial logic in a design in order to improve a maximum operating frequency or fmax. In one implementation, the system includes machine-readable code, which may be stored on a computer-readable medium such as a disk, executing on a computer. The system balances timing in order to trade off delays between critical and noncritical paths. Register retiming may make changes to a design at a gate level.