AN 584: Timing Closure Methodology for Advanced FPGA Designs

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ID 683145
Date 10/08/2021
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Document Table of Contents
Document Table of Contents x
1. AN 584: Timing Closure Methodology for Advanced FPGA Designs
1. AN 584: Timing Closure Methodology for Advanced FPGA Designs x
1.1. Plan Early for Timing Closure 1.2. Customize Settings Per Application 1.3. Change Fitter Placement Seeds 1.4. Planning for Timing Closure 1.5. Best Practices for Timing Closure 1.6. Resolving Common Timing Issues 1.7. Conclusion 1.8. Document Revision History for AN 584: Timing Closure Methodology for Advanced FPGA Designs
1.4. Planning for Timing Closure x
1.4.1. Timing Closure Planning at Specification Stage 1.4.2. Timing Closure Planning at Coding and Compilation Stage
1.4.1. Timing Closure Planning at Specification Stage x
1.4.1.1. Plan for the Target FPGA Device 1.4.1.2. Plan for On-Chip Debugging
1.4.2. Timing Closure Planning at Coding and Compilation Stage x
1.4.2.1. Plan for Design Hierarchy and Block Partitioning 1.4.2.2. Plan for Early Compilation of Design Blocks 1.4.2.3. Plan for Verification
1.5. Best Practices for Timing Closure x
1.5.1. Performance Planning General Guidelines 1.5.2. Follow Synchronous Design Practices 1.5.3. Follow Recommended Coding Styles 1.5.4. Constraining and Compiling Your Design
1.5.4. Constraining and Compiling Your Design x
1.5.4.1. Setting Location Constraints 1.5.4.2. Setting Proper Timing Constraints 1.5.4.3. Using Optimal Compiler Settings for Your Design
1.6. Resolving Common Timing Issues x
1.6.1. Excessive Logic Levels 1.6.2. Improper Timing Constraints 1.6.3. Handling High Fan-Out Registers 1.6.4. Metastability Issues 1.6.5. Reset Signal Related Issues 1.6.6. Small Margin Timing Constraint Failures 1.6.7. Long Compilation Times
1.6.2. Improper Timing Constraints x
1.6.2.1. Check Constraint Diagnostics
1.6.4. Metastability Issues x
1.6.4.1. Check CDC Design Assistant Rule Violations 1.6.4.2. Check CDC Report
1.6.5. Reset Signal Related Issues x
1.6.5.1. Recovery and Removal Issues
1. AN 584: Timing Closure Methodology for Advanced FPGA Designs

1.1. Plan Early for Timing Closure

Planning for timing closure early in the design cycle can help you identify issues before they become a challenge requiring debug. The decisions that you make early in the design phase have a great effect on later phases of your design, such as how to partition the design, the simulation strategy, and the verification strategy. By considering these factors at the preliminary stages of the design, you can avoid problems that might arise later. Do not wait for all the blocks to be coded to compile the entire design for the first time.

Always practice synchronous design techniques and follow Intel FPGA recommended HDL coding practices that are independent of other EDA tools. For an effective design, you must choose the target device architecture and properly constrain your design for timing. Identify any false and multicycle paths in your design to generate an accurate timing analysis report. The accuracy of timing analysis is dependent on the proper application of timing constraints and exceptions. Proper constraints and exceptions cause the Compiler to apply extra effort in specific areas to meet the constraints.

For more details about good design and coding practices, and constraining your design for timing, refer to Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guide: Design Recommendations.

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