2023/5/18 09:29 Crosstalk Timing Window Analysis and Prevention Techniques - Team VLSI

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Crosstalk Timing Window

Analysis and Prevention
Techniques
June 21, 2020 by Team VLSI

In the previous two articles, we have discussed signal integrity, crosstalk,

crosstalk mechanisms, the parasitic capacitances associated to interconnects,
crosstalk noise, crosstalk delay and its effects. In this article, we will discuss the
timing window analysis of crosstalk and the prevention techniques of crosstalk.

Timing Window Analysis

Crosstalk timing window analysis is based on the concept that we need to

consider a timing window on which the aggressor has an effect on victim net.
This analysis method is more accurate and less pessimistic as compare to the
infinite arrival window where we assume that aggressor can switch at any time.
Figure-1 shows the switching window of a victim net. If the aggressor net
switching window overlaps with the switching window of the victim net then
only delay of victim cell get affected else it will not get affected.

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Figure-1: Timing window analysis

Here we have shown the out of phase case where delay increases due to the
crosstalk effect, but this concept is equally applicable in case of in-phase
transition where delay will decrease.
Timing widow concept is also applicable in the crosstalk noise analysis also. In
the case of multiple aggressors effect on a victim net, the analysis will be carried
out based on the timing widow only. This is a more realistic approach.

Crosstalk prevention techniques

There are various ways to prevent crosstalk, some of the well-known techniques
are as follow.
1. Increase the spacing between aggressor and victim net:
 

Figure-2: Effect of net spacing on crosstalk

 
Figure-2 shows that by increasing the spacing between aggressor and victim net
we are ultimately reducing the coupling capacitance between them as the

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capacitance is inversely proportional to the distance between them. So by

increasing the spacing crosstalk will decrease.
2. Shielding of nets:
Figure-3 shows the shielding technique used to prevent crosstalk. Generally, we
insert a shielding net between the victim and the aggressor net. The shielding
net is connected to strong VDD or VSS.

Figure-3: Shielding of a net

By shielding a net the two things will happen, one is the direct coupling
capacitance between the aggressor and victim net will vanish and secondly the
shielding net will remain at a constant logic so there are no chances of crosstalk.
 
The above two techniques will prevent the crosstalk but it has an impact on the
area.  Both techniques will require more area to route them.
3. Upsizing the victim cell:
 
If we increase the drive strength of the victim cell it will not be easy to affect by
the aggressor net.
4. Downsize the aggressor cell:
 
Higher the drive strength of aggressor cell, higher is the impact of crosstalk on the
victim. So by reducing the drive strength we can reduce the crosstalk effect. 
Crosstalk timing window analysis is based on the concept that we need to
consider a timing window on which the aggressor has an effect on victim net.
Thank you.

Crosstalk, Crosstalk Delay, Crosstalk Noise, Crosstalk Prevention, Issues in

VLSI, Timing Window Analysis
Crosstalk Noise and Crosstalk Delay – Effects of Crosstalk

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6 thoughts on “Crosstalk Timing Window

Analysis and Prevention Techniques”

Team VLSI
August 7, 2021 at 5:35 pm

No, it won't create glitch on shield net as shield net is strongly connected
to VDD/VSS.

Reply

Guong Tran
August 8, 2021 at 2:48 am

Hi, could you please answer a question?

With the shielding nets solution, the shielding nets can be 0 or 1
(constant logic) and the victim nets is switching (L2H or H2L) => create a
case as Crosstalk glitch ?
Thank for your article. For convenient case, please send to me via email:
tranthingocguong2601@gmail.com

Thank so much

Reply

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