RDC Structural Checks: Theory Deep Dive

Foundational theory

RDC Structural Checks anchors Reset Domain Crossing. RDC tools detect reset-origin and release-domain mismatches; violations must be triaged by intent, not mechanically waived. Senior signoff discussions tie every warning to mechanism class, operational mode, and risk containment evidence.

Core concepts explained

• RDC tools detect reset-origin and release-domain mismatches; violations must be triaged by intent, not mechanically waived.

• Primary metric: unsafe reset crossing count, unresolved RDC warnings, waiver backlog

• Primary artifact: RDC structural report, reset intent annotation, waiver log

• Owners: RDC owner, RTL owner, methodology lead

• Distinguish structural cleanliness from functional correctness.

• Tie every waiver to silicon-risk framing and expiry.

Why this matters at signoff

At tapeout, unresolved CDC/RDC issues become latent reliability bugs. Reset release is an asynchronous interface problem with sequencing consequences.

Mental model

reset source A controls flop in domain B
            |
     release relationship legal?
        /             \
      yes             no
      pass          violation/waiver review

Worked intuition

1. Classify crossing intent and direction.

2. Name clock/reset relationship assumptions.

3. Inspect primary metric: unsafe reset crossing count, unresolved RDC warnings, waiver backlog.

4. Collect structural plus dynamic evidence.

5. Differentiate real hazard from tool noise.

6. Pick smallest safe fix and define regression matrix.

7. Document signoff rationale or waiver ownership.

Common misconceptions

• CDC clean report means protocol is proven.

• All resets are equivalent if assertion works.

• Gray code alone guarantees FIFO correctness.

• Waivers are harmless schedule shortcuts.

Visual reinforcement

RDC structural classes

reset source A controls flop in domain B
            |
     release relationship legal?
        /             \
      yes             no
      pass          violation/waiver review

Layer responsibilities

CDC/RDC OWNERSHIP LAYERS — RDC Structural Checks

layer                 owns                            common failure
------------------    -----------------------------   -----------------------------
design intent         crossing architecture           wrong topology selected
protocol semantics    req/ack, fifo, ordering        liveness/deadlock bugs
reset behavior        assert/deassert sequencing      boot instability
analysis setup        tool rules + waivers            false confidence
signoff governance    risk acceptance + dashboard     stale critical waivers

CDC/RDC deep dive

Reset release ordering is a first-order reliability contract.

Concept diagram

RESET RELEASE FLOW

assert global -> clocks stable -> sync release per domain -> first transaction

Metric graph

BOOT STABILITY

passes per 1k boots: 920 -> 980 -> 999

Reports and artifacts

• reset dependency matrix

• RDC warning classes

• boot stress logs

• waiver aging

Mini case study

Domain B released before producer A was valid, causing rare startup deadlock.

Debug branches

• Correlate reset and clock timelines

• verify async assert/sync release

• exercise skewed release tests

Senior review question

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

Key takeaways

• State crossing class, assumptions, and owner with every issue.

• Run structural and dynamic regressions after each fix.

Common pitfalls

• Treating all warnings as equivalent risk.

• Waiving issues without containment evidence.

• Skipping reset and reconvergence stress after CDC fixes.

Theory reinforcement

Reset release is an asynchronous interface problem with sequencing consequences.