Chapter 9: PAR

R

As the jobs finish, the remaining jobs are started on the five nodes until all 10 jobs are complete. Since each job takes approximately one hour, all 10 jobs complete in approximately two hours.

Note: You cannot determine the relative benefits of multiple placements by running the Turns Engine with options that generate multiple placements, but do not route any of the placed designs (the –r PAR option specifies no routing). The design score you receive is the same for each placement. To get some indication of the quality of the placed designs, run the route with a minimum router effort std (-rl std) in addition to the -ol high setting.

Turns Engine Syntax

The following is the PAR command line syntax to run the Turns Engine.

par –mnodelist_file –n#_of_iterations –s#_of_iterations_to_save mapped_desgin.ncd output_directory.dir

–mnodelist_file specifies the nodelist file for the Turns Engine run.

–n#_of_iterations specifies the number of place and route passes.

–s#_of_iterations_to_save saves only the best –s results.

mapped design.ncd is the input NCD file.

output_directory.dir is the directory where the best results (–s option) are saved. Files include placed and routed NCD, summary timing reports (DLY), pinout files (PAD), and log files (PAR).

Turns Engine Input Files

The following are the input files to the Turns Engine.

•NCD File—A mapped design.

•Nodelist file—A user-created ASCII file listing workstation names. The following is a sample nodelist file:

#This is a comment

#Note: machines are accessed by Turns Engine

#from top to bottom

#Sparc 20 machines running Solaris

kirk spock mccoy krusher janeway picard

#Sparc 10 machines running SunOS michael

jermaine marlon tito jackie

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Development System Reference Guide

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Xilinx 8.2i manual Turns Engine Syntax, Turns Engine Input Files
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8.2i specifications

Xilinx 8.2i is a significant version of the Xilinx ISE (Integrated Software Environment) that emerged in the early 2000s, marking an important milestone in the world of FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) development. This version introduced a slew of advanced features, technologies, and characteristics that made it an indispensable tool for engineers and developers in designing, simulating, and implementing digital circuits.

One of the standout features of Xilinx 8.2i is its enhanced design entry capabilities. This version supports multiple design entry methods, including schematic entry, VHDL, and Verilog HDL, giving engineers the flexibility to choose their preferred approach. The integrated environment provides user-friendly graphical interfaces, making it accessible for both novice and experienced users.

Xilinx 8.2i's synthesis tools have been improved to enable more efficient design compilation and optimization. The new algorithms used in this version facilitate faster synthesis times while reducing power consumption and improving performance. Furthermore, it features support for advanced FPGA architectures, which allows for the implementation of more complex designs with greater efficiency.

The implementation tools in Xilinx 8.2i include advanced place and route capabilities, utilizing state-of-the-art algorithms for optimized resource usage. These tools enable designers to make better use of FPGA resources, ensuring that designs fit within the constraints of the target device while maximizing performance.

Another key characteristic of Xilinx 8.2i is its extensive support for various Xilinx devices such as the Spartan, Virtex, and CoolRunner series. This compatibility ensures that developers can leverage the powerful features of these FPGA families, including high-speed transceivers and DSP slices.

Xilinx 8.2i also places a strong emphasis on simulation and verification. The version integrates with various simulation tools, allowing for thorough testing of the designs before implementation. This reduces the risk of errors and ensures that the final product meets specifications.

In addition, this version includes support for design constraints, enabling engineers to specify timing, area, and other critical design parameters. By accommodating constraints, Xilinx 8.2i helps in achieving reliable and efficient designs tailored to project needs.

In summary, Xilinx 8.2i is a robust software development tool that enhances the design process for FPGAs. Its comprehensive features, including multiple design entry options, advanced synthesis and implementation tools, extensive device support, and strong simulation capabilities, make it a valuable resource for engineers and developers striving for innovation in digital design.
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