Using structural modeling to guarantee timing consistency

As device performances continue to improve, timing simulation becomes an ever-increasing requirement. Many devices available today, especially programmable ones, have inadequately or inconsistently specified timing parameters. Because cumulative timing delays in a structural model are simply a set of equations, these inconsistencies make it impossible to structurally model the device. A way to check for and identify these inconsistencies is needed. The answer is a simple step-by-step process which will guarantee consistency between timing parameters, thereby resulting in more accurate and realistic device timing specifications. The author discusses a method developed to solve the problems caused by inconsistent timing specifications while creating a structural device model. This method uses five steps to identify and correct, if feasible, any inconsistencies between timing specifications for a given device