# [Course] IC Lab
:::info
:bulb: IC Lab Course from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University - Taiwan
:::
---
## :beginner: This course is taken note by Duc Huy Nguyen who joined IC lab course in the Spring semester of 2024 from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University - Taiwan
:::success
Describe the essential information of the design document.
:::
---
## :wrench: Knowledge-Based Requirements
:::success
- Digital IC Design
- Verilog Coding
- System Verilog Coding
- Knowledge of algorithm
:::
Basic knowledge
onenote:https://d.docs.live.net/c14830083d8bce9a/Documents/Working%20-%20Company%20Requirements/Tech_Work_Knowledges_and_CodeBase.one#IC%20Design%20Knowledges%20§ion-id={CC374C7C-DD50-43D1-A2C4-02D7777E041A}&page-id={CC4F8C6C-E323-42A2-AD42-3391617D064B}&object-id={60780FAF-20EE-0748-2074-F02C5FA7918C}&3E
---
## Overview for IC Design Flow
---
## :feet: Implementation
:::success
- Using EDA from TSRI, Taiwan and also provided by IC Lab Course.
- Process UMC18.
:::
---
1. Example of · Sign in successfully
# First Look of Tools
## Verdi From Synopsys
### § Initial View
- Open Memory/MDA for more detail.
- Use **"Sync"** to see the real value of a variable when clicking to select the **"---"** line on the waveform.
- The position of the **"---"** line marks the exact moment the variable is presented in the Memory Table.
- Select the variable on the coding tab to view its value.
---
### § Synthesis Step
There are two options in the **`.tcl`** file named **`syn.tcl`**:
1. **`compile_ultra`**:
- Instructs the Synopsys tool to normalize the timing during synthesis.
2. **`compile`**:
- Performs synthesis normally without any timing optimization.
> ⚠️ **Important:**
> Use only one of these options at a time. Do not use both together.
---
### § Running RTL, SYN, or GATE Level
- Pay attention to the **`TESTBED.v`** file.
- The **`.fsdb`** file is used to store waveform data.
- The command **`$fsdbDumpvars();`** is used to dump variables following the waveform of the **`.fsdb`** file.
- If waveform debugging is unnecessary, remove these two commands to save storage.
> ⚠️ **Note:**
> Do not delete the command **`$sdf_annotate("CNN_SYN.sdf", u_CNN);`**.
> This command saves timing information (like delay) from RTL to GATE conversion, which is crucial.
---
# Some Useful Command Lines
## If some application is still running on your station in MobaXterm and you cannot close it:
- Use the appropriate commands to terminate the application gracefully.
```ps -aux | grep $user```
and then find the pid using CMD: ```kill -9 {pid}```
- Example:
``` bash
ps -aux | grep iclab069
kill -9 152160
```
## Checking quota (**storage **limitation for each students)**
----------------------------------------------------------------
CMD: ```quota```
OR
CMD: ```quota -s```
=> be able to see the MB size => space is what we are occupation for while quota is the warning limitation, and Limit is the endpoint that your account is locked.
```du {name of folder} ```
=> check the size of each files for occupation
```du -a {name of folder}```
=> check MORE DETAIL the size of each files for occupation
## Encrypt Verilog code:**
```vcs +auto2protect PATTERN.v```
```vcs +auto2protect pseudo_DRAM.v```
## For Tools:
### Super lint:
Some of comments
```tar xvf ~iclabTA01/jg_superlint.tar```
open => vim design.f => input MY_DESIGN.v
```./run_jp/superlint.sh```
## :blush: Demo
:::success
Some interesting script for ICLAB
:::
1. **Display current quota percentage when logging in**
2. ****Quickly switch folders**
Expand function description:
- Input 0 swithc to `00_TESTBED`
- Input 1 switch to `01_RTL`
- Input 2 switch to `02_SYN`
- Input 3 switch to `03_GATE`
- Input 4 switch to `04_MEM`
- Input 9 switch to `09_SUBMIT`
- m `Memory`
3. Modify the clk peroid input **with one click**c to view the current `clk`setting
input modification and displayc peroid `clk`
4. **Turn on/off fsdb**
Input with one click f. View current settings. Input `fsdb`modifications and display settings. Enter modifications and display settings. Enter modifications and display settings.
- For rtl on/off `rtl fsdb`
- For gate on/off `gate fsdb`
- For post on/off `post fsdb`
5. **Open DesignWare IP User Guide with one click**
. Input dwipto open DesignWare IP Pdf.
Input ioto open IO Pdf.
Script content and setting method
======================================
0. **Copy the instructions in the following steps directly. In MobaXterm, you can right-click the mouse to paste and execute.**
1. Execute the following command to add a new script folder`script`
```bash
cd $HOME
mkdir script
```
2. Execute the following commands to add `setting.csh`a script and set execution permissions
```bash
cat > $HOME/script/setting.csh << EOF
#!/bin/tcsh
# Brief : This is a script to set variable for cd.csh, clk.csh, fsdb.csh
# Author: Duc Huy Nguyen
# Update: 2024.03.23
set FOLDER="Lab05/Exercise"
#set FOLDER="Bonus_formal_verification/Exercise"
#set FOLDER="Final_Project"
set TESTBED_FILE=\$HOME/\$FOLDER/00_TESTBED/TESTBED.v
set PATTERN_FILE=\$HOME/\$FOLDER/00_TESTBED/PATTERN.v
set SYN_FILE=\$HOME/\$FOLDER/02_SYN/syn.tcl
# Define colors
set GREEN='\033[0;32m'
set BLUE='\033[0;34m'
set RED='\033[0;31m'
set NC='\033[0m' # No Color
EOF
chmod +x $HOME/script/setting.csh
```
3. Execute the following commands to add `cd.csh`a script and set execution permissions
```bash
cat > $HOME/script/cd.csh << EOF
#!/bin/tcsh
# Brief : This is a script to change directory
# Author: Duc Huy Nguyen
# Update: 2024.03.23
# get the variable from setting.csh
source \$HOME/script/setting.csh
# check parameter
if (\$# == 0) then
echo "\${RED}Please input 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 9\${NC}"
exit 1
else
# cd to folder
switch (\$1)
case [0-9]:
cd \$HOME/\$FOLDER/0\$1_* || (echo "\${RED}Change directory fail\${NC}"; exit 1)
breaksw
case m:
cd \$HOME/\$FOLDER/Memory || (echo "\${RED}Change directory fail\${NC}"; exit 1)
breaksw
default:
echo "\${RED}Please input 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 9\${NC}"
exit 1
breaksw
endsw
# Check if cd was successful
if (\$? == 0) then
echo "\${GREEN}Current directory: \`pwd\`\${NC}"
endif
endif
EOF
chmod +x $HOME/script/cd.csh
```
4. Execute the following commands to add `clk.csh`a script and set execution permissions
```bash
cat > $HOME/script/clk.csh << EOF
#!/bin/tcsh
# Brief : This is a script to change the clock peroid define
# Author: Duc Huy Nguyen
# Update: 2024.02.20
# get the variable from setting.csh
source \$HOME/script/setting.csh
# check parameter
if (\$# == 0) then
# testbed file
echo \${BLUE}File: \$TESTBED_FILE\${NC}
setenv GREP_COLOR '01;32' ; cat --number \$TESTBED_FILE | grep --color "define\s\+CYCLE_TIME\s\+[0-9]\+\.\?[0-9]\?"
# pattern file
echo \${BLUE}File: \$PATTERN_FILE\${NC}
setenv GREP_COLOR '01;32' ; cat --number \$PATTERN_FILE | grep --color "define\s\+CYCLE_TIME\s\+[0-9]\+\.\?[0-9]\?"
# syn file
echo \${BLUE}File: \$SYN_FILE\${NC}
setenv GREP_COLOR '01;32' ; cat --number \$SYN_FILE | grep --color "set CYCLE [0-9]\+\.\?[0-9]\?"
exit 1
else
#if([string tofloat \$1] < 5.0) then
# echo "\${RED}Cycle time must >= 5. \${NC}"
#else
# testbed file
echo \${BLUE}File: \$TESTBED_FILE\${NC}
setenv GREP_COLOR '01;31' ; cat --number \$TESTBED_FILE | grep --color "define\s\+CYCLE_TIME\s\+[0-9]\+\.\?[0-9]\?"
sed -i "s/define\s\+CYCLE_TIME\s\+[0-9]\+\.\?[0-9]\?/define CYCLE_TIME \$1/" \$TESTBED_FILE
setenv GREP_COLOR '01;32' ; cat --number \$TESTBED_FILE | grep --color "define\s\+CYCLE_TIME\s\+[0-9]\+\.\?[0-9]\?"
# pattern file
echo \${BLUE}File: \$PATTERN_FILE\${NC}
setenv GREP_COLOR '01;31' ; cat --number \$PATTERN_FILE | grep --color "define\s\+CYCLE_TIME\s\+[0-9]\+\.\?[0-9]\?"
sed -i "s/define\s\+CYCLE_TIME\s\+[0-9]\+\.\?[0-9]\?/define CYCLE_TIME \$1/" \$PATTERN_FILE
setenv GREP_COLOR '01;32' ; cat --number \$PATTERN_FILE | grep --color "define\s\+CYCLE_TIME\s\+[0-9]\+\.\?[0-9]\?"
# syn file
echo \${BLUE}File: \$SYN_FILE\${NC}
setenv GREP_COLOR '01;31' ; cat --number \$SYN_FILE | grep --color "set CYCLE [0-9]\+\.\?[0-9]\?"
sed -i "s/set CYCLE [0-9]\+\.\?[0-9]\?/set CYCLE \$1/" \$SYN_FILE
setenv GREP_COLOR '01;32' ; cat --number \$SYN_FILE | grep --color "set CYCLE [0-9]\+\.\?[0-9]\?"
# Check if cd was successful
if (\$? == 0) then
echo "\${GREEN}Change cycle time to \$1 dnoe. \${NC}"
endif
#endif
endif
EOF
chmod +x $HOME/script/clk.csh
```
5. Execute the following commands to add `fsdb.csh`a script and set execution permissions
```bash
cat > $HOME/script/fsdb.csh << EOF
#!/bin/tcsh
# Brief : This is a script to open/close the FSDB
# Author: Duc Huy Nguyen
# Update: 2024.03.23
# get the variable from setting.csh
source \$HOME/script/setting.csh
# check parameter
if (\$# == 0) then
set show = 1
set help = 1
goto conclusion
else
# check if file exit
if (-e \$TESTBED_FILE) then
#--------------------------------------------------------- section
switch (\$1)
case 'rtl':
set section = 'RTL'
breaksw
case 'gate':
set section = 'GATE'
breaksw
case 'post':
set section = 'POST'
breaksw
default:
set show = 0
set help = 1
goto conclusion
breaksw
endsw
else
echo "\$TESTBED_FILE not exist"
endif
#--------------------------------------------------------- FSDB ON/OFF
if (\$2 == 'on') then
# find and remove comment in ifdef RTL to endif
sed -i "/ifdef \$section/,/endif/s/\/\/\(.sdf_annotate(.*);\)/\1/g" \$TESTBED_FILE
sed -i "/ifdef \$section/,/endif/s/\/\/\(.fsdbDumpfile(.*);\)/\1/g" \$TESTBED_FILE
sed -i "/ifdef \$section/,/endif/s/\/\/\(.fsdbDumpvars(.*);\)/\1/g" \$TESTBED_FILE
echo "\${GREEN}Uncomment \${section} fsdbDumpfile, fsdbDumpvars done.\${NC}"
set show = 1
set help = 0
goto conclusion
else if (\$2 == 'off') then
# check if file is commented
if (\`awk 'BEGIN { s=0 } /.ifdef '\$section'/,/.endif/ { if (\$0 ~ /\/\/.*/) { s=1; exit } } END { print s}' \$TESTBED_FILE\` == "0") then
#sed -i "/ifdef \$section/,/endif/s/\(.sdf_annotate(.*);\)/\/\/\1/g" \$TESTBED_FILE
sed -i "/ifdef \$section/,/endif/s/\(.fsdbDumpfile(.*);\)/\/\/\1/g" \$TESTBED_FILE
sed -i "/ifdef \$section/,/endif/s/\(.fsdbDumpvars(.*);\)/\/\/\1/g" \$TESTBED_FILE
endif
echo "\${GREEN}Comment \${section} sdf_annotate, fsdbDumpfile, fsdbDumpvars done.\${NC}"
set show = 1
set help = 0
goto conclusion
else
set show = 0
set help = 1
goto conclusion
endif
endif
conclusion:
# show the state of fsdb file
if (\$show == 1) then
echo \${BLUE}File: \$TESTBED_FILE\${NC}
echo \${GREEN}In RTL\${NC}
awk '/.ifdef RTL/,/.endif/ {if (\$0 ~ /sdf_/) print}' \$TESTBED_FILE
awk '/.ifdef RTL/,/.endif/ {if (\$0 ~ /fsdb/) print}' \$TESTBED_FILE
echo \${GREEN}In GATE\${NC}
awk '/.ifdef GATE/,/.endif/ {if (\$0 ~ /sdf_/) print}' \$TESTBED_FILE
awk '/.ifdef GATE/,/.endif/ {if (\$0 ~ /fsdb/) print}' \$TESTBED_FILE
echo \${GREEN}In POST\${NC}
awk '/.ifdef POST/,/.endif/ {if (\$0 ~ /sdf_/) print}' \$TESTBED_FILE
awk '/.ifdef POST/,/.endif/ {if (\$0 ~ /fsdb/) print}' \$TESTBED_FILE
endif
# show the usage of this script
if(\$help == 1) then
echo "\${RED}Please input {rtl, gate, post} {on, off} to turn on/off fsdb file.\${NC}"
endif
# exit
exit 1
EOF
chmod +x $HOME/script/fsdb.csh
```
6. Add new `.cshrc`profile
```bash
cd $HOME
cat > $HOME/.cshrc << EOF
# .cshrc configuration file for iclab workstation
# Author: Duc Huy Nguyen
# Update: 2024.03.23
# Show space usage
source ~/script/quota.csh
# set terminal preference
set autolist = ambiguous
set complete = enhance
set recexact
set autoexpand
# Hotkey
alias 0 'source ~/script/cd.csh 0'
alias 1 'source ~/script/cd.csh 1'
alias 2 'source ~/script/cd.csh 2'
alias 3 'source ~/script/cd.csh 3'
alias 4 'source ~/script/cd.csh 4'
alias 5 'source ~/script/cd.csh 5'
alias 6 'source ~/script/cd.csh 6'
alias 7 'source ~/script/cd.csh 7'
alias 8 'source ~/script/cd.csh 8'
alias 9 'source ~/script/cd.csh 9'
alias m 'source ~/script/cd.csh m'
alias c 'source ~/script/clk.csh'
alias f 'source ~/script/fsdb.csh'
alias rs 'source ~/.cshrc'
alias setting 'code ~/script/setting.csh'
alias dwip 'evince /usr/cad/synopsys/synthesis/cur/dw/doc/manuals/dwbb_userguide.pdf >& /dev/null &'
alias io 'evince ~iclabTA01/umc018/Doc/umc18io3v5v.pdf >& /dev/null &'
alias myps 'ps -aux | grep \$user'
EOF
source $HOME/.cshrc
```
7. **If you want to modify the Lab path later**
- Editing `~script/setting.csh`_`set FOLDER="Lab??/Exercise"`
- Or enter it directly `setting`, and ![]the VSCode window will pop up and you can edit it.
# Important Source Files for Digital IC Flow
1. Important for 00_TESTBED
- [Makefile](https://github.com/ndhuyvn1994/IC_Lab_NYCU_Year2024_iclab069/blob/main/Lab01/Lab01_FinalVersion_GoodToRun_and_Learn/Exercise/00_TESTBED/makefile)
2. Important for 02_SYN
- [TCL file for Synthesis](https://github.com/ndhuyvn1994/IC_Lab_NYCU_Year2024_iclab069/blob/main/Lab01/Lab01_FinalVersion_GoodToRun_and_Learn/Exercise/02_SYN/syn.tcl)
# Experimental Demo
1.Chip Layout View:
2.Core to IO boundary:
3.Core Ring:
4.Post-Route setup time analysis:
5.Post-Route hold time analysis:
6.DRC result:
7.LVS result:
8.Post Layout simulation result:
9.Power result:
10.IR Drop Results:
* A brief explanation of the method you used to mitigate the IR drop issue:
* The number of power pads was increased, ensuring there are two pairs of core power and IO power on each side of the design.
* The distribution of power across the circuitry was enhanced by adding more power pads.
* The width of the power strips was expanded to reduce resistance along the power path.
* The voltage drop was minimized by increasing the width of the power strips.
* Overall power delivery was improved by implementing wider power strips and additional power pads.
Sign in with Wallet
Connect another wallet