Datapath & Retiming

Section goal

Datapath extraction, operator inference, retiming fundamentals, and pipeline tradeoff decisions.

How to study this section

1. Start with each topic hub to understand mechanism and ownership.

2. Use reports and debug pages to build run-comparison instincts.

3. Use interview and case pages for pressure drills.

4. Close with checklist and PPA impact before merge decisions.

Topics

1. datapath-inference/ — Datapath Inference

2. retiming-fundamentals/ — Retiming Fundamentals

3. pipeline-tradeoffs/ — Pipeline Tradeoffs

4. datapath-debug/ — Datapath Debug

Related topics

• Synthesis course hub

Synthesis deep dive

Datapath and retiming gains are only real if formal and timing remain clean.

Concept diagram

DATAPATH + RETIME

operator inference -> stage balancing -> formal proof -> QoR validation

Metric graph

FREQUENCY VS LATENCY

Fmax gain   ████████
latency cost ████

Reports and artifacts

• retiming report

• datapath inference log

• equivalence status

• latency impact sheet

Mini case study

Retiming met frequency target, but missing formal hooks delayed closure by two days.

Debug branches

• Check retime blockers

• Formal first for aggressive moves

• Compare with pipeline option

Senior review question

Ask: what evidence proves this QoR move is real and stable?