Pin Optimization

Pin optimization is done to position pins of blocks in a manner that helps obtain the shortest possible net length at a particular level in the design. Pin optimization must be done even for blocks that are placed by the block placer because the aggregate length of nets connecting pins of the blocks may not be optimal or the shortest. Pin optimization should be done before routing the design.

The table lists the objects that you can select for pin optimization.

When soft block pins are optimized using Pin Optimizer, the soft block master becomes editable automatically.

Pin Optimizer tries to align all connected pins in the design, including the top-level pins connected to level-1 pins and the level-1 pins connected to other level1-pins. If the pins to be optimized have their Design Intent set, Pin Optimizer honors the pin width and layer specified in the Design Intent.

While creating a layout, you should first place the top-level and level-1 pins and then optimize the placed pins. You can place pins using the Pin Planner tab in the Pin Placement form. Using the Pin Planner tab, you can also set the side constraints on the top-level and the level-1 pins.

You can run Pin Optimizer using Floorplan – Pin Optimization, Plan – Pin Planning – Pin Planner, or through the vpaOptimizePins command-line SKILL API.