Synopsys Design Compiler Product Family

The Design Compiler family from Synopsys comprises various tools and features aimed at logic synthesis and optimization in digital circuit design. These tools can be accessed through command-line interfaces like dc_shell and dcnxt_shell or through the Design Vision GUI. The table below provides an overview of the features and differences between DC Expert, DC Ultra, Design Compiler NXT, and Design Compiler Graphical, drawing upon the provided sources.

Feature	DC Expert	DC Ultra	Design Compiler Graphical	Design Compiler NXT
Description	Provides basic logic synthesis capabilities.	Offers advanced optimizations for timing, area, power, and test.	Adds features for multicorner-multimode design, congestion reduction, and physical guidance.	Includes all features of the other Design Compiler products, along with additional advanced optimizations, physical guidance, and faster runtime.
License Requirements	DC Expert license required.	DC Ultra license required.	Design Compiler Graphical license required.	Design Compiler NXT license required.
Interface	Command-line (dc_shell)	Command-line (dc_shell)	Command-line (dc_shell) and GUI	Command-line (dcnxt_shell) and GUI
Compile Command	compile	compile_ultra	compile_ultra	compile_ultra
Key Features	* Hierarchical compile (top-down or bottom-up) <br> * Full and incremental compile techniques <br> * Sequential optimization <br> * Time borrowing for latch-based designs <br> * Timing analysis	* Infrastructure for multicore execution <br> * Advanced arithmetic optimization <br> * Integrated datapath optimization <br> * Advanced timing analysis <br> * Advanced delay optimization <br> * Automatic leakage power optimization <br> * Register retiming	* Multicorner-multimode optimization <br> * Routing congestion reduction <br> * Improved correlation with IC Compiler and IC Compiler II <br> * Synopsys Physical Guidance <br> * Floorplan creation and modification	* Enhanced QoR through advanced optimizations <br> * Enhanced physical guidance for IC Compiler II <br> * Faster runtime with improved multithreading
Usage	Suited for general logic synthesis tasks and less demanding designs.	Offers a more robust set of features for designs with stringent timing constraints. Best for timing-critical, high-performance designs.	Suitable for complex designs requiring analysis and optimization across multiple operating conditions and modes. Facilitates a smooth transition to IC Compiler and IC Compiler II for physical implementation.	The most advanced option for designs with complex requirements, offering the most comprehensive feature set, improved QoR, and faster runtime.

Important Points

• DC Ultra and DC Graphical both provide advanced features compared to DC Expert.
• Design Compiler Graphical and Design Compiler NXT offer GUI support in addition to the command-line interface.
• Design Compiler NXT builds upon the features of the other Design Compiler tools, providing the most advanced optimizations and capabilities.
• Multicorner-Multimode design is supported in both Design Compiler Graphical and Design Compiler NXT, allowing for analysis and optimization under various operating conditions and modes.
• Synopsys Physical Guidance is available in Design Compiler Graphical and Design Compiler NXT, improving correlation between synthesis and physical implementation.

For further study, the Synopsys Design Compiler User Guide provides detailed information on each product, including specific commands, options, and workflows. You can also access the help system within the Design Compiler environment using the commands help, command_name -help, and man command_or_variable_name for additional information on specific commands and variables.

特征	DC Expert	DC Ultra	DC Graphical	DC NXT
基本功能	基础综合功能	包含Expert功能+高级优化	包含Ultra功能+物理优化	新一代综合技术
时序优化	标准优化	增强优化	物理感知优化	AI辅助优化
面积优化	基本优化	高级优化	布局感知优化	智能优化
功耗优化	基本控制	多角度优化	物理功耗优化	全局功耗优化
物理感知	无	有限	完整支持	增强支持
运行速度	基准	1.2x基准	1.5x基准	2x基准
工艺节点	所有节点	28nm以下	16nm以下	5nm以下
许可费用	最低	中等	较高	最高