Electronic Design Automation

6.6.2. Timing-driven technology mapping

Technology-independent delay optimization algorithms cannot estimate the delay of a circuit accurately, largely due to the lack of accurate technology-independent delay models. Therefore, such algorithms are not guaranteed to produce faster circuits, when circuit speed is measured after technology mapping and physical design. We will present a more accurate approach to delay optimization during technology mapping. The tree covering algorithm presented in Section 6.4.5, in the context of technology mapping for minimum area, will be modified to target circuit speed.

The most accurate estimation of the delay of a gate in a circuit can only be obtained after the entire circuit has been placed and routed. ...