Abstract: A method for processing design data for a semiconductor circuit may be provided. The design data describe a signal line and related physical characteristics. The method comprises receiving the design data for the signal line, receiving constraint data describing a blockage area, and determining a segment of the signal line that would overlap with the blockage area assuming a direct path from the source to the sink. The method comprises further determining for the segment, based on the length of the segment, whether the segment is route-able without inserting a buffer while meeting the timing constraints, and modifying, in case a segment is not route-able without inserting a buffer, the physical characteristics of the signal line. Thereby, the determining the segment, the determining whether the segment length is route-able, and the modifying the physical characteristics is performed before placing buffers in the signal line and routing the signal line.

Abstract: There is provided a computer implemented method for processing a formal specification of a digital circuit. The specification comprises information about a signal path for forwarding a digital signal from a source to a sink. The method comprises inputting the formal specification; identifying at least one signal group and at least one signal path belonging to the signal group based on the formal specification; inputting physical design constraints; and calculating, based on the physical design constraints and the at least one signal group, a number of clocked stages to be inserted into the signal path, such that the signal paths of a certain signal group have the same calculated number of clocked stages.

Abstract: A method for processing design data for a semiconductor circuit may be provided. The design data describe a signal line and related physical characteristics. The method comprises receiving the design data for the signal line, receiving constraint data describing a blockage area, and determining a segment of the signal line that would overlap with the blockage area assuming a direct path from the source to the sink. The method comprises further determining for the segment, based on the length of the segment, whether the segment is route-able without inserting a buffer while meeting the timing constraints, and modifying, in case a segment is not route-able without inserting a buffer, the physical characteristics of the signal line. Thereby, the determining the segment, the determining whether the segment length is route-able, and the modifying the physical characteristics is performed before placing buffers in the signal line and routing the signal line.

Abstract: There is provided a computer implemented method for processing a formal specification of a digital circuit. The specification comprises information about a signal path for forwarding a digital signal from a source to a sink. The method comprises inputting the formal specification; identifying at least one signal group and at least one signal path belonging to the signal group based on the formal specification; inputting physical design constraints; and calculating, based on the physical design constraints and the at least one signal group, a number of clocked stages to be inserted into the signal path, such that the signal paths of a certain signal group have the same calculated number of clocked stages.