RTL SDC Verification: Finding Timing Bugs Before Synthesis

Get the big picture on timing constraints. A conceptual guide for DV engineers on what to verify at the RTL stage

What you'll learn
- Explain the role of SDC in the complete HDL synthesis flow.
- Define a typical timing path and key SDC netlist terminology.
- Understand how high-level timing goals are conceptually captured in an SDC file.
- Identify the most common SDC issues that must be verified at the RTL stage.
- Describe the function of False Paths, Multi-Cycle Paths, and Case Analysis from a DV perspective.
- Confidently discuss SDC concepts and verification strategies with STA and design teams.

Requirements
- A basic understanding of digital design concepts (e.g., flip-flops, gates, clocks).
- Familiarity with RTL simulation (Verilog or VHDL), even as a beginner.
- No prior SDC or Static Timing Analysis (STA) knowledge is required!

Description
Course Description

Ever been baffled by a timing mismatch between your RTL and gate-level (GLS) simulations? The culprit is almost always a misunderstood or misaligned SDC (Synopsys Design Constraints) file.

For many DV engineers, the SDC file is a "black box" handled by the STA or implementation team.This course changes that.

In just 30 minutes, this high-level, conceptual guide demystifies SDC from a *verification* perspective.

This isnota coding course. You will not write a single line of SDC.

Instead, you will gain a 10,000-foot view of the entire SDC-driven design flow.

First, we'll place SDC in the modernHDL Synthesis flowand understand its critical role in making your RTL a reality.

Next, you'll learn the keyterminologies—like timing paths, clock definitions, and I/O delays—so you can finally "speak SDC" with the design and STA teams.

Finally, we'll connect it all to your job: you'll learnexactlywhat DV engineers must verify, focusing on common SDC pitfalls like:

False Paths

Multi-Cycle Paths (MCPs), and

Case Analysis, etc.

By the end of this course, you'll stop guessing and start understandingwhytiming constraints are the key to bridging the gap between RTL and a successful, bug-free synthesis.

What you'll learn?

Explain the role of SDC in the complete HDL synthesis flow.

Define a typical timing path and key SDC netlist terminology.

Understand how high-level timing goals are conceptually captured in an SDC file.

Identify the most common SDC issues that *must* be verified at the RTL stage.

Describe the function of False Paths, Multi-Cycle Paths, and Case Analysis from a DV perspective.

Recognize the verification impact of clock constraints and I/O delays.

Confidently discuss SDC concepts and verification strategies with STA and design teams.

Who this course is for?

DV (Design Verification) engineers who want to understand the "why" behind SDC.

RTL Designers who need to understand how their design will be constrained and verified.

Digital Design or VLSI students who want a "big picture" overview of synthesis and timing.

This course is NOT for:STA or Implementation Engineers looking for a deep, code-heavy SDC writing course.

Requirements

A basic understanding of digital design concepts (e.g., flip-flops, gates, clocks).

Familiarity with RTL simulation (Verilog or VHDL), even as a beginner.

No prior SDC or Static Timing Analysis (STA) knowledge is required!

Who this course is for:
- DV (Design Verification) engineers who want to understand the "why" behind SDC.
- RTL Designers who need to understand how their design will be constrained and verified.
- Digital Design or VLSI students who want a "big picture" overview of synthesis and timing.
- This course is NOT for: STA or Implementation Engineers looking for a deep, code-heavy SDC writing course.
More Info