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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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13 years ago

What is mean of Zero IC delays?

I found there is an option "Zero IC delays" in Create Timing Netlist. I try to figure out what it is, but it seems I can't find too much useful information in ALtera website. What is that?

And should I tick it when I create Post-fit (default) timing list? I just try tick it, I found after that, in some cases, there will be some failed paths appeared in the design which does not have any time violated.

Thanks very much.

9 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    IC delay means Interconnect delays i.e. the delay an interconnect takes to connect between two logic elements (i hope you now get it).

    Now if you tick zero IC delays time quest will only show you the path having logic elements and your timing analysis is basically done only on cell delays so its normal that the setup timings wont be violated (In some cases hold timing gets violated though).

    This is basically done post map but i recommend that after post fit do not enable the option as the real path of the design will be IC delay + Cell delay on which i think your timings should be closed.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    --- Quote Start ---

    IC delay means Interconnect delays i.e. the delay an interconnect takes to connect between two logic elements (i hope you now get it).

    Now if you tick zero IC delays time quest will only show you the path having logic elements and your timing analysis is basically done only on cell delays so its normal that the setup timings wont be violated (In some cases hold timing gets violated though).

    This is basically done post map but i recommend that after post fit do not enable the option as the real path of the design will be IC delay + Cell delay on which i think your timings should be closed.

    --- Quote End ---

    Thanks very much. I am sorry I am a little confused by your last sentence. But my understanding is, I should disable this option if I do is post fit in Create Timing Netlist, right?

    Thanks
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    The idea of 0 IC delay timing model is to exclude interconnect delays from timing model.

    If your design does not pass it then it will not pass when you turn the interconnect delay on.

    If it passes then hope is in the way that it may pass with interconnect delay added.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    --- Quote Start ---

    The idea of 0 IC delay timing model is to exclude interconnect delays from timing model.

    If your design does not pass it then it will not pass when you turn the interconnect delay on.

    If it passes then hope is in the way that it may pass with interconnect delay added.

    --- Quote End ---

    Hi Kaz, do you mean: If I enable Zero IC delay in post fit mode and the design has some failed paths, then it is impossible to get the design pass timing (make the timing closure)?

    But I actually confront: my design has no violated paths in post fit mode with Zero IC delay disable. But when I enable it, there appears some failed paths whose hold time is violated.

    And timing closure means meet time requirments, right? I am not 100% sure what is mean of "timing closure".

    Thanks
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    If your design passes timing with cell delay plus IC delay then you passed.

    Then you don't really need to worry about the case when 0 IC delay is applied because it is unrealistic and is meant as early diagnostic measure.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    Timing closure is the name of what "TimeQuest and fitter and optionally synthesis stage" have to do to achieve best results for timing which may be pass or fail.

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    --- Quote Start ---

    If your design passes timing with cell delay plus IC delay then you passed.

    Then you don't really need to worry about the case when 0 IC delay is applied because it is unrealistic and is meant as early diagnostic measure.

    --- Quote End ---

    --- Quote Start ---

    Timing closure is the name of what "TimeQuest and fitter and optionally synthesis stage" have to do to achieve best results for timing which may be pass or fail.

    --- Quote End ---

    Thanks very much, Kaz
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    Plus to add to what you mentioned about failing of hold paths, i did mentioned that with 0 IC delays you might fail hold timings because generally Quartus adds some intentional delays during place and route in the form of interconnect delays to meet hold timings which was not available during 0 IC delay netlist.

    If you are meeting timings Post-fit with disabling 0 IC delays then you have met timings and no need to worry about your issue :)
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    --- Quote Start ---

    Plus to add to what you mentioned about failing of hold paths, i did mentioned that with 0 IC delays you might fail hold timings because generally Quartus adds some intentional delays during place and route in the form of interconnect delays to meet hold timings which was not available during 0 IC delay netlist.

    If you are meeting timings Post-fit with disabling 0 IC delays then you have met timings and no need to worry about your issue :)

    --- Quote End ---

    Thanks very much!