The 2021 guide is bullish on ( compile_ultra -retime ).
: It explains the impact of constraints across the entire design flow, from synthesis to Static Timing Analysis (STA) and placement and routing. Amazon Web Services Precision & Authority
: Overview of technology-independent, mapping, and technology-specific optimization. Optimizing for Delay and Area : Strategies for balancing PPA (Power, Performance, Area). Sequential Optimization
Timing constraints are used to specify the timing requirements of a digital design. They define the relationships between signals and the timing relationships between different parts of the design. There are several types of timing constraints, including:
Clock gating saves power but kills timing if done wrong. The 2021 guide dedicates an entire chapter to .
Instead, the guide recommends using set_clock_sense to fix specific false paths without breaking the global timing engine.
The Synopsys Timing Constraints and Optimization User Guide (part of the Synopsys Design Constraints or SDC standard) serves as the definitive reference for ASIC and FPGA designers using the Synopsys design flow (Design Compiler, ICC/ICC2, PrimeTime). The 2021 version reinforces the methodologies required for designing high-performance, low-power, and area-efficient integrated circuits.