Using constraint geometry to determine maximum rate pipeline clocking

Abstract
Geometric knowledge of the shape of the feasible region formed by pulse width, setup, and hold constraints is used directly by an efficient (cubic complexity) algorithm, Gpipe, to determine the maximum rate for single-phase clocking of a given pipeline. The pipeline model uses level-sensitive latches as synchronizers and can allow wave pipelining. Gpipe is also used to explore the effect of removing nonsynchronizing and/or synchronizing latches on the maximum clock speed of the pipeline. A simple test shows which latches, if any, to remove in order to guarantee no decrease, and permit a possible increase, in the clock rate.

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