Hi all,
Here is the flow from RTL to GDSII:
1 - RTL code is written (hand or generated through automatic tools) (VHDL/Verilog ...)
2 - Then RTL simulations are done to check if RTL is functional. (NCSim, VCS, ...)
3 - Then synthesis step comes, which converts RTL netlist into gate level netlist. (Synopsys Design Compiler)
- Constraints are added at this step
- STA is done to ensure design meets timing (Synopsys Prime Time)
4 - DFT is inserted & related constraints added (Synopsys DFT Compiler, Synopsys Tetramax)
- STA done again (Synopsys Prime Time)
5 - Netlist is delivered to backend tool (PR tool) (Synopsys ICC, Magma Blastfusion, Cadence SOC Encounter, ...)
6 - Gate level netlist is exported from backend tool
7 - Final verification steps are done
- Physical verification (DRC/LVS) (Mentor Calibre, ...)
- Extration, Delay Calculation, STA (Synopsys RC Extract, Synopsys PrimeTime, ...)
.........
8 - Design is sent to fab
Best regards,
Gokhan
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