CDC / RDC · All levels

CDC/RDC Interview Prep

Whiteboard frameworks and signoff-grade CDC/RDC scenarios.

Whiteboard answer shape

diagram

1. Classify crossing/reset problem.
2. Explain mechanism and failure path.
3. Ask for metric + artifact evidence.
4. Propose fix/waiver with risk framing.
5. Define regression and signoff criteria.

Scenarios

scenario-metastability-escape/ — Scenario: Metastability Escape in Silicon Bring-up
scenario-async-fifo-pointer-mismatch/ — Scenario: Async FIFO Pointer Mismatch
scenario-reset-waiver-crunch/ — Scenario: RDC Waiver Under Tapeout Pressure

CDC/RDC deep dive

CDC/RDC signoff depends on crossing intent, proof quality, and risk governance.

Concept diagram

diagram

intent -> analysis -> action -> signoff

Metric graph

diagram

risk trend

Reports and artifacts

critical count
waiver count
closure trend

Mini case study

Track issue quality, not only quantity.

Debug branches

Classify issue type first

Senior review question

Ask: what evidence proves this risk is closed for silicon, not just tool-clean?

Practice this lesson