User`s guide
Methodolo
g
y 16
-15
For example, in the case of a convergence or reconvergence
hazard, look for conflicting rise/fall inputs. In the case of
cumulative ambiguity, look for the merging of successive
ambiguity regions within two edges forming a pulse.
Once the appropriate paths are identified, the relative timing of
the paths can be understood, and one of the following courses of
action may be taken:
• Modifying the stimulus (in the case of a simple convergence
hazard) to rearrange the relative timing of the signals
involved.
• Changing one or both of the path delays to accomplish the
same thing, by adding or removing logic, or by substitution
of component types with ones having different delay
characteristics.
Note that the first option is not generally effective in the case of
the reconvergent hazard since the difficulty lies between the
source of the reconvergent fanout and the location of the hazard.
The simulator has already determined that discounting the
common ambiguity did not preclude the hazard.
In the case of the cumulative ambiguity hazard, the most likely
solution will involve shortening the (one) path involved. This
may be done by:
• Adding a synchronization point to the logic, such as a flip-
flop, or perhaps simply gating the questionable signal with
a clock (having well-controlled ambiguity) before its
ambiguity can grow to unmanageable duration.
• Substituting faster components in the path, so that the
buildup of ambiguity happens less quickly.