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Course contents

  • How to Use This Course
  • Low-Power Metrics Reference
  • Low-Power Glossary
  • Reading Path
  • Power Intent Fundamentals61
  • Isolation & Retention61
  • Level Shifters & Power Switches61
  • UPF Implementation Flow61
    • UPF RTL Handoff
    • Synthesis UPF Views
      • Synthesis UPF Views: Mechanism
      • Synthesis UPF Views: Inputs & Outputs
      • Synthesis UPF Views: Reports & Metrics
      • Synthesis UPF Views: Debug Playbook
      • Synthesis UPF Views: Worked Example
      • Synthesis UPF Views: Pitfalls & Red Flags
      • Synthesis UPF Views: Interview Drills
      • Synthesis UPF Views: Review Checklist
      • Synthesis UPF Views: Theory Deep Dive
      • Synthesis UPF Views: Design Space
      • Synthesis UPF Views: Expanded Case Study
      • Synthesis UPF Views: Step-by-Step Walkthrough
      • Synthesis UPF Views: Comparison Matrix
      • Synthesis UPF Views: Software / Programmer View
      • Synthesis UPF Views: Silicon PPA Impact
    • PD UPF Implementation
    • UPF Consistency Audit
    • UPF Implementation Flow: Tricky Q&A
  • Low Power Verification61
  • PD & Power Grid Integration61
  • Low Power Interview Prep4
  • Low Power / UPF Cheatsheet
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‹Synthesis UPF Views
  1. Topics
  2. Low-Power Design
  3. UPF Implementation Flow
  4. Synthesis UPF Views
  5. Synthesis UPF Views: Review Checklist

Low Power / UPF · All levels

Synthesis UPF Views: Review Checklist

Review Checklist for Synthesis UPF Views.

On this page

    Review checklist

    Review Checklist for Synthesis UPF Views focuses on LP cell insertion quality, synthesis-vs-RTL intent delta, and timing impact from inserted cells. The goal is to link observed behavior to power-intent mechanism, ownership, and release risk.

    • Failing transition and states are explicitly documented.

    • Policy binding is proven in reports and waveform context.

    • Crossing inventory matches isolation/retention/shifter strategy.

    • UPF revision tags are aligned across flow stages.

    • Waiver status includes owner, expiry, and rollback criteria.

    • Owners signed: synthesis owner, UPF owner, STA owner.

    Sign-off ownership

    Diagram
    OWNERSHIP MAP — Synthesis UPF Views
    
    artifact              owner
    ----------------      -----------------
    intent policy       synthesis owner
    implementation      UPF owner
    verification        STA owner
    
    Escapes happen when ownership is implicit.

    Low-power deep dive

    Cross-tool intent drift is a leading source of late low-power escapes.

    Concept diagram

    Diagram
    RTL+UPF -> synthesis view -> PD view -> signoff consistency

    Metric graph

    Diagram
    MISMATCH TREND
    
    handoff week1  ███████
    week2          ████
    week3          ██

    Reports and artifacts

    • RTL handoff checklist

    • post-synth LP report

    • PD LP implementation report

    • consistency diff

    Mini case study

    Synthesis and PD used mismatched UPF revisions; only consistency audit exposed the drift.

    Debug branches

    • Compare UPF revision tags

    • Check object rename mapping

    • Run semantic consistency tool

    Senior review question

    Ask: what transition evidence proves this topic is closed, and which owner signs it?

    Key takeaways

    • State transition context must accompany every low-power metric claim.

    • Intent changes require simulation, formal, and implementation re-validation.

    Common pitfalls

    • Comparing results from mismatched UPF revisions.

    • Assuming static checks replace transition validation.

    • Shipping with aged waivers and unclear ownership.

    Execution drill pack 1

    Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

    Transition checklist

    • State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

    • Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

    • Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

    • Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

    Review prompts

    1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

    2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

    3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

    4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

    Evidence capsule

    Diagram
    LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 1
    
    PATH: low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist
    STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
    POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
    OWNER: <name>
    PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
    RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

    Execution drill pack 2

    Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

    Transition checklist

    • State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

    • Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

    • Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

    • Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

    Review prompts

    1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

    2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

    3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

    4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

    Evidence capsule

    Diagram
    LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 2
    
    PATH: low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist
    STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
    POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
    OWNER: <name>
    PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
    RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

    Execution drill pack 3

    Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

    Transition checklist

    • State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

    • Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

    • Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

    • Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

    Review prompts

    1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

    2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

    3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

    4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

    Evidence capsule

    Diagram
    LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 3
    
    PATH: low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist
    STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
    POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
    OWNER: <name>
    PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
    RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

    Execution drill pack 4

    Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

    Transition checklist

    • State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

    • Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

    • Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

    • Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

    Review prompts

    1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

    2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

    3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

    4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

    Evidence capsule

    Diagram
    LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 4
    
    PATH: low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist
    STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
    POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
    OWNER: <name>
    PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
    RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

    Execution drill pack 5

    Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

    Transition checklist

    • State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

    • Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

    • Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

    • Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

    Review prompts

    1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

    2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

    3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

    4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

    Evidence capsule

    Diagram
    LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 5
    
    PATH: low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist
    STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
    POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
    OWNER: <name>
    PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
    RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

    Execution drill pack 6

    Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

    Transition checklist

    • State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

    • Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

    • Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

    • Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

    Review prompts

    1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

    2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

    3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

    4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

    Evidence capsule

    Diagram
    LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 6
    
    PATH: low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist
    STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
    POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
    OWNER: <name>
    PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
    RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

    Execution drill pack 7

    Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

    Transition checklist

    • State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

    • Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

    • Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

    • Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

    Review prompts

    1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

    2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

    3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

    4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

    Evidence capsule

    Diagram
    LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 7
    
    PATH: low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist
    STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
    POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
    OWNER: <name>
    PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
    RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

    Execution drill pack 8

    Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

    Transition checklist

    • State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

    • Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

    • Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

    • Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

    Review prompts

    1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

    2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

    3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

    4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

    Evidence capsule

    Diagram
    LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 8
    
    PATH: low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist
    STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
    POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
    OWNER: <name>
    PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
    RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

    Execution drill pack 9

    Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

    Transition checklist

    • State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

    • Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

    • Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

    • Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

    Review prompts

    1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

    2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

    3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

    4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

    Evidence capsule

    Diagram
    LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 9
    
    PATH: low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist
    STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
    POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
    OWNER: <name>
    PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
    RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

    Execution drill pack 10

    Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

    Transition checklist

    • State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

    • Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

    • Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

    • Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

    Review prompts

    1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

    2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

    3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

    4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

    Evidence capsule

    Diagram
    LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 10
    
    PATH: low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist
    STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
    POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
    OWNER: <name>
    PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
    RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

    Execution drill pack 11

    Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

    Transition checklist

    • State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

    • Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

    • Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

    • Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

    Review prompts

    1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

    2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

    3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

    4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

    Evidence capsule

    Diagram
    LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 11
    
    PATH: low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist
    STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
    POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
    OWNER: <name>
    PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
    RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

    Execution drill pack 12

    Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

    Transition checklist

    • State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

    • Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

    • Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

    • Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

    Review prompts

    1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

    2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

    3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

    4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

    Evidence capsule

    Diagram
    LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 12
    
    PATH: low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist
    STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
    POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
    OWNER: <name>
    PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
    RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

    Execution drill pack 13

    Use this pack to rehearse low-power closure on low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist: transition framing, policy ownership, implementation evidence, and release confidence.

    Transition checklist

    • State transition explicitly named with legal source/target states.

    • Crossing and domain ownership are mapped and agreed.

    • Policy controls are traced to always-on source logic.

    • Waveform bookmarks align controls with state timestamps.

    Review prompts

    1. Which policy object is first to deviate from intent?

    2. Which owner can apply the smallest reversible fix?

    3. What regression matrix proves no collateral damage?

    4. Which waiver conditions would still block release?

    Evidence capsule

    Diagram
    LP EVIDENCE CAPSULE 13
    
    PATH: low-power/upf-implementation-flow/synthesis-upf-views/checklist
    STATE WINDOW: <from -> to>
    POLICY OBJECT: <isolation / retention / shifter / switch>
    OWNER: <name>
    PRIMARY ARTIFACT: <report/waveform/formal result>
    RELEASE DECISION: <close / bounded waiver / escalate>

    Principal LP review addendum

    Synthesis interprets UPF to insert or map isolation/retention/level-shifter logic while preserving functionality and constraints.

    Metric: LP cell insertion quality, synthesis-vs-RTL intent delta, and timing impact from inserted cells

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    See also

    • Synthesis UPF Views: Mechanism
    • Synthesis UPF Views: Inputs & Outputs
    • Synthesis UPF Views: Reports & Metrics