STA Mastery · All levels

STA Interview Prep

Whiteboard frameworks and timing closure scenarios.

Whiteboard answer shape

diagram

1. Name corner, mode, and analysis view.
2. Name failing path group and WNS/TNS.
3. Read critical path: launch/capture clocks, cell vs net.
4. Check constraints on that path.
5. Propose ECO with hold/SI regression.
6. State MMMC matrix to re-run.

Scenarios

scenario-mmmc-storm/ — Scenario: MMMC Storm
scenario-eco-under-pressure/ — Scenario: ECO Under Pressure
scenario-constraint-ghost/ — Scenario: Constraint Ghost Violation

STA deep dive

STA signoff requires reproducible constraints, views, and scenarios.

Concept diagram

diagram

constraints -> graph -> slack

Metric graph

diagram

WNS trend

Reports and artifacts

WNS
TNS
hold WNS

Mini case study

Tag every database.

Debug branches

Check constraints first

Senior review question

Ask: what corner/mode/view proves this topic is closed or failing?

Practice this lesson