Design Constraints for CDC Verification: Bridging Timing, Clocks, and Reliable Synchronization (US)

LIVE WEBINAR SERIES:

Design Constraints for CDC Verification:

Bridging Timing, Clocks, and Reliable Synchronization (US)

Alex Gnusin, ALINT-PRO Product Manager, Aldec

Thursday, April 23, 2026

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (PST)

Abstract:

Design constraints are a fundamental part of FPGA implementation because they define how a design must operate in the real physical environment - not just logically. While RTL describes the functional behavior of a design, constraints specify timing requirements, clock definitions, and interface conditions that guide FPGA tools during synthesis, placement, routing, and timing verification.

FPGA implementation tools rely on Static Timing Analysis (STA) to ensure that the design meets its timing requirements, such as clock frequency, input/output delays, and timing relationships between signals. These requirements are defined using design constraints, typically written in SDC-based formats supported by FPGA vendors.

Although Clock Domain Crossing (CDC) analysis is a design verification task rather than part of the implementation flow, it also relies on design constraints. A CDC tool must understand which clocks are related, which are independent, and how clocks interact across the design to correctly identify real synchronization risks while avoiding false violations from intentional crossings. Additionally, information about clock phases, resets, and other CDC-related structures is essential for accurate analysis.

To support this process, ALINT-PRO extends the SDC language with CDC-specific constraints that help describe clock relationships, reset structures, and other design properties relevant to CDC verification.

In this webinar, we will provide a practical overview of design constraints in FPGA designs and explain how they are used in CDC verification. We will also introduce CDC-specific constraint extensions and demonstrate Multi-mode CDC Analysis with ALINT-PRO, enabling more accurate and scalable CDC verification for complex FPGA designs.

Webinar Agenda:

Design Constraints Overview
- The role and purpose of design constraints in FPGA design
- SDC-based constraints in FPGA implementation flows
- FPGA vendor-specific constraint formats
Design Constraints for CDC Analysis
- Why CDC analysis requires design constraints
- Inside the CDC analysis engine
- CDC-specific constraint extensions
  - Reset tree design constraints
  - Block-level design constraints
  - CDC path constraints
  - The quasi-static concept
- Multi-mode CDC analysis
Summary
Q & A

Presenter Bio:

Alex Gnusin, Aldec’s ALINT-PRO Product Manager

Alex Gnusin,

ALINT-PRO Product Manager, Aldec

Alex accumulated 28 years of hands-on experience in various aspects of ASIC and FPGA design and verification. In a previous role and as Verification Prime on a multi-million gates project, Alex combined various verification methods including static linting, formal property checking, dynamic simulation and hardware-assisted acceleration to efficiently achieve design verification goals. Alex has an M.S. in Electronics, awarded from Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, and his former employers include IBM, Nortel, Ericsson and Synopsys.