Synthesis and Optimization of Digital Circuits

This document summarizes the principles and techniques of Synthesis and Optimization of Digital Circuits, a key step in the Electronic Design Automation (EDA) flow. Synthesis transforms an abstract behavioral model (described in HDL, FSM, or DFG form) into a structural or gate-level description, while optimization refines the design to meet constraints on latency, area, and power consumption.

At the architectural synthesis level, the notes cover scheduling algorithms (ASAP, ALAP, Hu’s, ILP, list scheduling) and resource binding/sharing using graph models and coloring techniques to minimize hardware usage. The logic synthesis section presents two-level methods (Quine-McCluskey, Petrick, Espresso) and multi-level methods, both technology-independent and technology-dependent, including timing analysis, technology mapping, and optimizations based on algebraic division and Boolean methods.

The document also discusses power estimation and reduction strategies (Vdd scaling, switching activity control, Multi-Vth optimization) and introduces the concept of the Pareto curve for selecting optimal solutions within the design space. Together, these techniques accelerate the design cycle, ensure functional correctness, and enable the implementation of more compact, faster, and energy-efficient integrated circuits.