Open architecture eases adoption and integration

Key benefits of the Lynx Design System

• Production-proven design flow incorporates the latest methodologies to deliver fast and predictable results
• Open environment supports third-party tools, libraries, and foundries
• Validated IP, libraries and foundry technology data accelerate project start
• GUI-based runtime environment simplifies flow configuration, execution, and monitoring
• Process-specific tape-out checks and settings improve the quality of foundry handoff
• Web-based Management Cockpit delivers on-demand visibility into key design metrics and trends to enable project transparency at all levels
• Evaluate multiple design scenarios in parallel through the Runtime Manager and view the results in a simple dashboard in the Management Cockpit

The hierarchical Production Flow embedded in the Lynx Design System is built on a leading-edge design flow that is tapeout-proven on over a 100 designs in a wide range of applications and manufacturing processes. It is in use from older nodes to 32/28nm manufacturing processes.

Lynx automates flow configuration and execution to improve the productivity of the design team. Embedded in Lynx are the best design practices from the ARM-Synopsys implementation Reference Methodologies (iRM) using ARM physical IP optimized for ARM processors. The iRM streamlines the procedures used by designers to target ARM processors to their chosen technology nodes by delivering a comprehensive solution proven by ARM and Synopsys to enable outstanding performance and energy efficiency.

This complete, advanced RTL-to-GDSII implementation flow includes:

• Synopsys Galaxy Implementation Platform Reference Methodologies
• Over 45 optimized methodologies built-in, from power management to DFM/DFY
• Full chip hierarchical RTL-to-GDSII support
• Tested with multiple foundries, libraries and technology nodes
• Over 60 tape-out specific checks
• Over 50 design metrics automatically captured
• Support for job distribution and data management
• Multi-site/multi-user support enabled out-of-the-box
• Fully supported and regularly updated for latest methods

The Lynx Design System includes an intuitive and easy-to-use GUI which enables rapid configuration of the encapsulated methodologies into a customized flow. It also includes the ability to graphically execute and monitor the flow as a design progresses through it.

Using Lynx's Runtime Manager, creating a new flow or modifying existing flows is accomplished using point and click operations. Flat or hierarchical flows for a single block or for an entire chip are defined by connecting various tasks together based on their dependencies. Parallel task execution and design exploration involving multiple invocations of the same task or flow with different parameters are also easily specified.

Once defined, these flows can then be executed and their status monitored from within the GUI. Through the Runtime Manager, designs tasks can be distributed across a compute farm using industry-standard job distribution tools.

The browser-based Management Cockpit provides designers and managers platform-independent, ‘on-demand’ access to quality-of-results (QoR) and resource-related project metrics. Over 60 metrics are automatically acquired in a database by the Lynx Design System during flow execution, and additional user-defined metrics can be defined.

The Management Cockpit’s reporting GUI provides access to all captured project metrics and specified design targets. Through an intuitive user interface, managers and designers can easily create custom reports such as:

1. Dashboards that show key project metrics such as frequency, area and power
2. Trend analyses of design progress and comparison to target goals
3. Current design status summary
4. Block level comparisons of QoR data
5. Summary of tools and tool versions used in the flow

Mismatched, incorrect, or incomplete technology and library files can negatively impact project schedule and designer productivity. The risk is especially high at newer process nodes, where technology data is constantly changing. The Lynx Design System helps address these early design impediments by encapsulating the collective experience of Synopsys and its foundry and third-party IP partners in recommended tool settings and pre-validated technology data. Lynx’s Foundry-Ready System includes the scripts and documentation necessary to configure and pre-test any library and technology files for proper execution in the design flow.

The Foundry-Ready System also facilitates first-time-right, manufacturing-ready tape-outs. It integrates process-specific methodologies such as metal fill and via optimization, and representative settings like on-chip variation (OCV), into the design flow. Through a combination of automated report gathering, documented guidelines, and post-GDSII reports, the Foundry-Ready System helps improve the quality of your foundry handoff and reduce the cycle time from GDSII to first silicon.