Designing high performance CMOS microprocessors using full custom techniques

In this paper, we describe a full customCMOS design methodology and supporting CADtechnologies used to develop ALPHA and StrongARMmicroprocessors at Digital Semiconductor. The paper issubdivided into four parts, starting with a description ofthe design methodology and general CAD flows.Additional sections focus on two particular areas ofinterest: high performance low-power and full customdesign benefits and verification issues.