* Bug: In cumulus/plugins.chip.powerplane, while building the connexion
from the corona border to the root of the HTree, the horizontal
wire at the top was too close from the border causing a minimal
spacing error in the DRC. Now put two tracks of distance.
* Bug: In cumulus/plugins.block.block.py, always import Python modules
using the exact same path. Otherwise the module may get imported
twice and static variables are duplicated, generating a big mess.
This was causing problem for the LUT in macro.py, and got SRAMs
blocks encapsulated twice.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.block.block.Block.addPlaceHolder(), create
a "place holder" instance over a given area to prevent the placer
from using it. Allow to make space reservation.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.block.configuration.BlockConf, copy the
toXPitch() and toYSlice() methods from spare in order to share
them between modules. Still have to remove some other local copies.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.block.spare.QuadTree, keep a list of all
the X centers of the partitionned areas. For yse by the power lines.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.chip.chip, move doPowerLayout() call from
doChipFloorplan() to doConnectCore(), this is to delay the call
until *after* the spare QuadTree has been created and we can
align the power lines to the centers of the QuadTree.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.chip.pads.Corona.doPowerLayout(), if a
spare QuadTree has been created, align the power lines on the
X center of the leaf areas. This is a cheap way to avoid DRC
errors between the power BigVias and the wires from the various
clock trees (on METAL5).
* New: In cumulus/plugins.block.macro, add an ad-hoc patch for Staf's
SRAMs. The blockage areas are slightly too narrow. We enlarge
them by one pitch.
* Change: In Cumulus/plupins.chip.pads.Side, in some case (LibreSOCIOPads),
when not put side by side, the I/O pads must be separated by a
minimal distance.
Introduce the new configuration parameter:
cfg.chip.minPadSpacing
Disabled if zero or non-defined.
Fix NWELL DRC errors for TSMC.
* Change: In Hurricane::NetAlias, store additional data in NetAliasName,
the external status of the former Net. When a Net::merge() is
performed, we must keep track of whether the merged (destroyed)
one was external and keep that information.
Add NetAliasHook::isExternal() & NetAliasHook::setExternal()
virtual methods.
* Change: In Net::getNet() add a new optional argument to allow the
search of the net name in *internal* aliases. Otherwise only the
aliases tagged as *external* will be searched.
It was a bug that, when looking for a Plug master net by name
we got an homonymous internal net. In that case we must only
look for net that are (or where) part of the interface.
* New: In Vhdl::VectorSignal, when a vector contains only one bit,
unvectorize it, like when it is non-contiguous (we use the
isCountiguous() method to carry that information).
* New: In Vhdl::VhdlEntity, Catalog::State and NamingScheme, added
a flag UniquifyUpperCase to uniquify the names in uppercases.
In case of a clash with the same name in lowercase.
Prepend 'u' before all previously uppercased letter. For
example 'VexRiscV' becomes 'uvexuriscuv' (urgh!).
The Catalog flags is exported to Python for use by the blif2vst
script.
* Change: In BlifParser, Model::newOne() and Model::newZero(), return
a new gate each time it is called instead of making just one for
each Model. This way, if two outside nets are connected to one
or zero they do not get merged (should work, but will be less
clear).
* Bug: In BlifParser, Model::connectSubckts(), when looking for the
master net in the instances models (by name), limit the search
to the *external* aliases names.
* Change: In NamingScheme::vlogTovhdl(), reactivate the removal of
two consecutive '_'.
* Change: In cumulus/bin/blif2vst.py, prefix the master cells
(i.e. components) with 'cmpt_' to avoid clash names with signals
in VHDL.
* Bug: In Cumulus/plugins.block.configuration.GaugeConf.rpAcces(), start
building the stack of contacts + short segments straps from the
layer of the RoutingPad and *not* from the first layer of the
RoutinhGauge.
* Bug: In Cumulus/plugins.block.configuration.GaugeConf.setStackPosition(),
Only align in the RoutingLayer gauge direction of the top layer of
the stack. For example, METAL2(H) will be y aligned or METAL3(V)
will be x aligned.
* Bug: In Cumulus/plugins.chip.powerplane.Builder._connectClock(),
forgot to call expandMinArea() on the pinRp contact stack.
* Change: In Cumulus/plugins.block.spares, allow the QuadTree to have
only *some* of it's four childs (BL, TL, TR, BR).
Modify QuandTree.getLeafUnder() so when there is no leaf under
the point, due to an incomplete tree, we get the closer leaf.
Leaf are suppressed when their center points (where the buffers
are to be put) are under a FIXED Instance (that is, an opaque block).
Those opaque blocks (or macro blocks) must be put *on the periphery*
of the design, because the closer they got to the center, the larger
the chunks of QuadTree that are removeds.
* Change: In Cumulus/plugins.block.clocktree, based on the spare
QuadTree changes, can now build a clock-tree with some of the
leaf missing. Should find a way to compensate for the missing
leaf wires & buffer (dummies).
* New: In Cumulus/plugins.block.matrix.RegisterMatrix, based on pattern
matching the output of DFF, allow to rebuild and place a matrix of
DFF constituting a RAM.
It finally proven not useful because it is a too naive approach.
Intermediate gates (buf_x2) must be found too. Most of the control
signals have more than 20 sinks so gets splitted by HFNS and lastly,
we would want the decoder to be integrated too, but they are not
regulars.
The right way to do it is to create a generator that build it
then expose it in a way nMigen can understand (not the other way
around, nMigen -> Yosys).
* New: CRL::restoreNetsdirection() (in ToolBox) that checks the coherency
of all Nets direction through a complete hierarchy of cells.
Stops at Cells flagged "TerminalNetlist".
Directions are rebuilt for all the Cells part of the hierarchy
in a bottom up fashion. It is also checked that Nets have only one
driver (we assume there is no three-state busses).
To sort cells in hierarchical order (bottom up according to their
depth), copy the DepthOrder class from the GDSII driver. Will unify
them later.
exported to the Python interface.
* New: In cumulus/tools/blif2vst.py, add a call to restoreNetsdirection()
before saving.
* Change: In NetBuilder::getPositions(), ordering of source/target points
is now integrated to this function instead of left to the caller.
In case of real (non-symbolic) routing gauge, skrink the ends of
half the wire width.
* Change: In NetBuilderHV::doRp_AutoContacts(), in case of non-METAL1
RoutingPad, put the axis of the segment on the nearest track.
Issue a warning if we have to shift, as it may be a potential
source of routing problems.
* New: Anabatic::Session::getNearestTrackaAxis(), proxy to compute
track positions, knowing the design abutment box.
* Bug: In Katana::PreProcess::propagateCagedConstraints(), when
looking at all the slave components anchoreds on a RoutingPad,
if they do not have an AutoSegment lookup, skip them instead
of crashing.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.block.Block.placeMacro(), new method to
place a macro cell, partly delegating to the Macro block wrapper.
Must be called *after* both core and corona abutment boxes have
been set.
Adjust the macro block position so the METAL2 & METAL3 pins
are exactly on pitch regarding the full routing grid. The reference
being the corona.
A shift, less than one pitch may be applied, leading in some
cases of overlapping abutment boxes. But this shouldn't be a
problem.
The macro to place is designated through a path of instances
names, rooted at the *core* (not the corona). Meaning that the
head instance must be one of the core.
* Change: In cumulus/plugins.chip.Chip, the complete chip I/O pads
plus corona and core placement is moved out from doPnR() and
put into doChipFloorplan(). It is now mandatory to call this
method *before* doPnR().
Those methods are now cleanly separated so we can perform macro
block placement or any inner core floorplaning operations between
them.
* Change: In cumulus/plugins.macro.Macro, instead of creating large
pads for the I/O pins so whatever the block position, they will
be under a grid point, create a simple dogleg to put them on
grid.
To ensure that they are "on grid", the block pins must be
in METAL2 (horizontal E/W) or METAL3 (vertical N/S) and the block
is assumed to be placed so the bottom left corner of it's
abutment box is exactly on one grid point for M2/M3.
This should be done by Block.placeMacro().
* New: In cumulus/plugins.chip.powerplane, build the overall power
grid when there is a dedicated supply layer. Makes vertical
supply stripes and connect them the *horizontal* power rails
inside the blocks (could be in *any* layer).
Stripes positions are determined by the pins createds by
the pads module.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.chip.chip, use the powerplane builder
if the RoutingGauge provides a PowerSupply kind.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.block.configuration, add support for
PowerSupply gauges.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.block.pads, if the gauge provides a
PowerSupply, create north/south border pins for power & ground
to direct the corona to make vertical power strips.
This assume that we are using LibreSOC like I/O pads that
can be connected straight from everywhere in the corona.
First and last 2 stripes are "cap end" and narrower.
Positions and width of the sripes are set through the
configuration parameters:
* "chip.supplyRailWidth"
* "chip.supplyRailPitch"
* Change: In cumulus/plugins.block.spares, now take into account
the "placeArea" parameter.
* Change: In cumulus/plugins.block.bigvia, now have a per metal layer
area that *may* be expanded if it is too narrow to put at least
one cut. Add flags to allow controlled expansion of the metal
plates.
As a security, now raise an exception if no cut can be created.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.macro.macro.Macro() to encapsulate foreign blocks.
Round their size to an exact number of GCells and a guard of one GCell.
External terminal must be on the periphery and will be made to stick out
in the guard ring. This is sub-optimal for now but provide a workaround
some Katana bad assumptions.
A "perpandicular padding" is also added to terminals to limit the
offgrid related problems. Have to optimize that in conjuction with
Katana.
* Change: In cumulus/plugins.block.Block.__init__(), assume that a block
is already built only if *all* it's instances are placed. Not some
of them.
* New: In cumulus/plugins/block/configuration, added support for a
placeArea parameter to restrict the placement area further than the
abutment box (see Etesian for the new feature).
* Change: In cumulus/plugins/CoreToChip, no longer adds I/O pads for
core signals that lacks one. Only issue an error message and
continue. More useful for debugging block support.
* New: In Etesian::Configuration add new parameters for antenna
effect management:
* "etesian.diodeName" : the name of the diode cell.
* "etesian.antennaMaxwl" : maximum length above which antenna
effect can occur. Must be the maximum for all the normal
routing layers.
* "etesian.antennaInsertThreshold" : during the placement steps,
threshold for linear disruption at which we will look for
the RSMT and insert diodes.
* New: In EtesianEngine::antennaProtect(), at a designated point
in the placement iteratives step, when the spreading starts to
be significant enough estimate the RSMT length and add a diode
if need be. The diode will be put side by side with the driver
cell. This is done by enlarging the driver cell of the diode
width.
* New: In EtesianEngine::_updatePlacement(), in the final stage,
modify the netlist to connect the diode. The diode will be
put on the side of the cell closest to the driver. This may
alow to make the connexion directly in METAL1 in the future.
* Change: In etesian/Placement.cpp, make the whole placement
structure a persistent attribute of the EtesianEngine so
it can be used afterwards.
Add a post-placement diode insertion feature. Finally
unused as they are added on the fly during placement.
In the Area, add data about the diode tie in the TieLut.
* Change: Add EtesianEnginea::clearColoquinte(), to keep the
post-placement structure while purging the Coloquinte one.
* Change: In cumulus/plugins.block.block, keep the Etesian engine
until the whole P&R is done, so we potentially can exploit
the post-placement datas.
* Bug: In cumulus/plugins.chip.power.GoCb(), for the METAL1 power
and ground wires coming from the standard cell, it was assumed
they where made of Horizontal segments, this is not the case
in FlexLib... So force to consider the plane as Horizontal when
we are processing that plane.
Better solution should be to use Horizontals...
height is a multiple of sliceHeight. Otherwise, in some situations,
fixed cell may peek out of the placement area, triggering
Coloquinte assert (which says that the top of the cell is *above*
the top row).
* New: In cumulus/plugins.block.hfns4.py, perform simple HFNS by breaking
the net into sub-nets of at most 10 sinks (hard-coded for now).
As this method is called *after* the netlist as been virtually
flattened, we have to create the RoutingPad at the top level
ourselves. Sub-nets are created at the Cell top-level (same
approach as for clock synthesis, because there is no smart way
to guess where they should be).
* New: In cumulus/plugins.block.block.py, perform HFNS (#4) *before*
doing placement. To see the real sink count on each net, we must
perform the virtual net flattening first (Cell::flattenNets()).
* Change: In cumulus/plugins.block.configuration, allow the creation
of spare buffer in any cell (instead of only "self.cellPnR").
* Change: In cumulus/plugins.block.spares.Spares.raddTransNet(),
Check if intermediate masterNet exists in Cells before trying
to blindly re-create it.
* New: In Etesian::Configuration, added "etesian.lacthUpDistance" to
control tie cells insertion (for polarization contacts).
* New: Etesian/Placement as a complete replacement for FeedCells.
Rebuild the complete slicing structure of the placement to
serve as a building block for post-placement changes under
Coriolis. Currently used to regularly insert body ties.
This is not optimal as we displace cells in each slice in
a non-coordinated manner.
* New: In cumulus/plugins/block.configuration.FeedsConf, register
the "etesian.latchUpDistance" parameter. Provides the tie width.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.block.spares, add ties around the buffer
pool block and "cap ties" at both end of each slice.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.block.spares, added creation of vertical
stacks of feed cells, for their N/P tie contacts, to ensure
correct bulk polarization. Fail, because the placer cannot
cope with such massive obstacles, the vertical columns are
too close to manage.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.block.configuration, add support to
FeedsConf so lone instances can be created (for the first
bulk trial).
* New: In CRL/hepers, new function onFGrid() to ensure a DbU is on the
foundry grid. Rounding is always done to the inferior integer.
* New: In CRL/GdsDriver, added a set of isOnGrid() functions to check
that all coordinates of various objects are on the foundry grid.
Use isOnGrid() in most objects processed in
GdsStream::operator<<(Cell*).
* Bug: In cumulus/plugins.chip.pads.Corner, correctly round the
coordinates of the 45 degree segments so they are still on the
foundry grid.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.core2chip.libresocio.CoreToChip, use new
configuration variable "chip.useAbstractpads" to select between the
abstract version (GPIO, VDD, ...) and the full version (IOPadInOut,
IOPadVdd, ...) layout.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.chip.pads.Corona._createCorewire(), add an
hard-coded limitation for LibreSOCIO I/O pad to corona wires to
always be below the maximal threshold.
* Change: In cumulus/plugins.block.configuration.BlockConf.save(),
cumulus/plugins.block.Block.save(),
cumulus/plugins.chip.Chip.save(),
cumulus/plugins.core2chip.core2chip.CoreToChip.buildChip(),
Add a "flags" parameter to control the way logical views (aka "vst")
are saved. Mainly allowing to pass on the VstUseConcat option in
order for Alliance tools to be able to read them back (lvx, asimut).
* Change: In cumulus/plugins.core2chip.core2chip.CoreToChip.buildChip(),
don't stop at the first I/O pad signal missing on the core, but
display all the missing ones (LKCL proposal).
* In cumulus/block.configuration, the rsave method was buggy. It did stop
it did not save "terminal" master cells (i.e. a cell without instance)
instead of "netlistTerminal" (explicitely flagged for standard cells).
The result was that some "empty netlist" in the complete "ls180"
from LibreSOC went missing. Causing cougar to complain.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.blocks.iospecs.IoSpecs, new class to manage
I/O pads placement. Support for reading the JSON pinmux format
(courtesy of LKCL & StackOverflow).
* Change: In cumulus/plugins.block.bigvia.BigVia, center the VIA cut
matrix. Issue a BIG warning when no one cut could be drawn
(temporarily disabled until I fix the corona).
Integrate new features and bug fixes so the Arlet 6502 benchs successfully
passes real DRC with reference industrial tools. Short summary:
* Manage minimum area for VIAs in Katana::Tracks.
* Allow different wire width for wires perpandicular to the prefered
routing direction.
* StackedVIAs used in the clock tree no longer assume an uniform
routing grid (same offset & pitch all the way up).
* Some hard-coded patches in PowerRails for FlexLib.
* New: In CRL/symbolic/cmos/kite.py & cmos45/kite.py, update the
RoutingLayerGauges by adding the new PWireWidth parameter.
Always zero in case of symbolic layout (too fine tuning).
* New: In CRL::RoutingGauge, add accessor to PWireWidth parameter.
Modify the clone method.
* New: In CRL::RoutingLayerGauge, add new parameter "PWireWidth"
to give the width of a wire when it not drawn in the prefered
routing direction. If it is set to zero, the normal width is
used.
* New: In CRL::PyRoutingGauge, export the updated constructor
interface. It is *not* backward compatible, one must add the
PWireWidth parameter in the various kite.py configuration
files (in etc/).
* Change: In AnabaticEngine::_gutAnabatic(), disable the minimum
area detection mechanism, replaced by a more complete one in
Katana::Track. Left commented out for now, but will be removed
in the future.
* Change: In Anabatic::AutoContact::updateLayer(), now systematically
calls setLayerAndWidth() to potentially resize the VIAs. This is
needed in real mode as VIAs are *not* macro-generated but have
their real final size.
* Change: In Anabatic::AutoContact::setLayerAndWidth(), select the
width and height of the contact using the gauge wire width *and*
perpandicular *wire width*.
* Change: In Anabatic::AutoSegment::_initialize(), the "VIA to same cap"
to PWireWidth/2, this will be the size of the VIA in the
non-preferred direction at the end cap (non-square in real mode).
* Change: In Anabatic::AutoSegment::getExtensionCap(), makes different
cases for symbolic and real. Use raw length in real, add half the
wire width in symbolic.
Add a flag to get the extension cap *only*, not increased of
half the minimal spacing.
* Change: In Anabatic::AutoSegment::bloatStackedStrap(), enhanced,
but finally unused...
* New: In Anabatic::AutoSegment::create(), use the PWireWidth when
the segment is not in the preferred routing direction (and of
minimal width).
* New: In Anabatic::Configuration, add new getPWirewidth(),
DPHorizontalWidth() and DPVerticalWidth() accessors.
* Change: In AnabaticEngine::setupPreRouteds(), skip components in
in "cut" material. We are only interested in objects containing
some metal (happens in real mode when VIAs cuts are really there).
* New: In Katana::PowerRailsPlanes::Rail::doLayout(), add an hard-coded
patch that artificially enlarge the *wide wire* so the spacing for
wide wire is enforced. For now, two pitches on each side for
"FlexLib" gauge.
* New: In Katana::Track, add support to find and correct small wire
chunks so they respect the minimum area rules.
Two helper functions:
* ::hasSameLayerTurn(), to find if a a TrackElement as non-zero length
perpandicular is same layer connected to it.
* ::toFoundryGrid(), to ensure that all coordinates will be on the
foundry grid (may move in a more shared location).
* ::expandToMinArea(), try to expand, *in the routing direction*
the too small wire so it respect the minimal area. Check for the
free space in the track.
Track::minExpandArea() go through all the TrackElements in the track
to look for too small ones and correct them.
* Change: In Katana::RoutingPlane, add an accessor to get the tracks.
* New: In KatanaEngine::finalizeLayout(), add a post-treatment to find
for minimal area violations.
* Change: In cumulus/plugins.block.configuration.GaugeConf, add a
routingBb attribute that will serve as a common reference to all
the functions calculation track positions. We must not have two
different reference for the core and the corona. The reference
is always the corona when we working on a complete chip.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.block.configuration.GaugeConf.getTrack(),
Simplified and more reliable way of getting tracks positions.
Use the routingBb.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.block.configuration.GaugeConf.rpAccess(),
Make use of getTrack() to get every metal strap on the right
X/Y position.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.block.configuration.GaugeConf.expandMinArea(),
As those wires are left alone by the router, it is our responsability
to abide by the minimal area rule here. Hence the code duplication
from the router (bad).
Mainly wires made for the clock tree, I mean.
* Bug: In cumulus/plugins.chip.configuration.ChipConf.setupICore(),
the core instance must be placed on the GCell grid, defined by the
slice height (X *and* Y).
* Bug: In cumulus/plugins.chip.corona.Builder(), forgot to use bigvia
for the corners of the inner ring.
* Bug: In cumulus/plugins.chip.pads.corona._createCoreWire(), hard-coded
patch for LibreSOCIO, the power/ground connectors toward the core
are too wide and can create DRC errors when put side by side.
Shrink them by the minimal distance.
* New: In cumulus/plugins/chip.corona.HorizontalRail & VerticalRail,
use the new BigVia instead of StackVia to generate a matrix of
cut when in real mode. Stick to the one massive VIA when in
symbolic.
* New: In cumulus/plugins/block.bigvia.BigVia to generate matrixes
of cut VIA.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.block.configuration, added class ConstantsConf
to store information and create instances of "zero" and "one" cells.
Added attribute in BlockConf class.
* Change: In cumulus/plugins.block.configuration, moved the cell cloning
and saving from block.spares.Spares to configuration.BlockConf as
it is a service that can be used by other modules than just spares.
Other modules may modificate the netlists also, like in XXXX.
* Change: In cumulus/plugins.chip.configuration, in various methods,
manage both cases when the layer is symbolic or real (difference
in accessing the underlying BasicLayers).
* Change: In cumulus/plugins.chip.configuration, less clutered display
of lambda length in trace mode (and use of 'L' as 'l' was too close
to '1').
* Bug: In cumulus/plugins.chip.corona.VerticalSide.addBlockages(),
as the clock are now on the *inner* rail(s), blockage must be on
the *outer* rails (power lines).
* New: In cumulus/plugins.chip.pads.Corner, add support for 45 degree
corners (cfg setting "chip.use45corners").
* New: In cumulus/plugins.chip.pads.Side.check(), correct computation
of the side's length. Was using the ioPadStep instead of the pad
cell width!
* Change: In cumulus/plugins.chip.pads.Corona._padAnalysis(), LibreSOCIO
pads uses Verticals for their ring wires (common sense would want
them *Horizontal*). So they must be included in the physical pin
detection, but in turn this cause havoc in pxlib... So create a
filtering according to the library name. This is *not* robust
but will do for now.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.chip.pad.core2chip.CoreToChip, rename
self.state into self.conf for clarity.
New method newEnableForNet(), to create "enable" nets on the
fly for emulated In/Out pads.
As it can edit the netlist (new "enable" nets) call the
BlockConf.rsave() method instead of direct saving through
AllianceFramework.
Raise NotImplementederror instead of ErrorMessage.
* New: In cumulus/plugins.chip.pad.core2chip.IoPad.createPad(),
on emulated In/Out I/O pad like for LibreSOC, generate on the fly
the right enable signal.
If an enable signal is given, it will be used (backward
compatible with the previous behavior).
* New: In cumulus/plugins.chip.pad.core2chip, support for real
LibreSOCIO pads in libresocio.py module.
* New: In cumulus/plugins/core2chip/, support for the FlexLib I/O cells
symbolic abstracts ("niolib"). More flexible way of specifying the
number and positions of the various power pads, both I/O power and
core power.
For niolib (FlexLib I/O abstract), support for multiple clocks,
that is, clock become ordinary pad (with signals typed as CLOCK).
* New: In cumulus/plugins/chip/, added support for niolib and final
integration of multiple clocks (only for niolib).
Luke Kenneth Casson Leighton
Jean-Paul Chaput