Asynchronous Linear-Pipeline with Time Variable Delays: PerformanceModeling, Analysis and Slack Optimization
Résumé
This paper introduces a new methodology for evaluating and optimizing the performance of asynchronous linear-pipelines. The Token Vector Delay Model is introduced to capture delay variability, which can originate from data, process and/or environment. Then, closed form equations modeling handshaking protocols are defined. These equations enable us to construct an abstract analytical model of the pipeline. The analytical model is then solved to compute the circuit performance in the presence of time variable delays. The tool developed to implement the method enables the designer to analyze circuits with tens of pipeline stages in a few seconds. Based on this fast performance analysis, an efficient optimization algorithm by controlling the pipeline slack is proposed. The algorithm enables the designer to optimize the pipeline to satisfy a given performance constraint.