Static Timing Analysis

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What Does Static Timing Analysis Mean?

Static timing analysis is a conventional way of analyzing frequency or clock rate for an integrated circuit such as those used on most computers and similar electronic devices. Unlike another method called delay calculation, which calculates a delay for each part of the circuit, static timing analysis seeks to calculate the overall timing of the full circuit, including individual delays. Static timing analysis, unlike other methods, does not require simulation.

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Techopedia Explains Static Timing Analysis

Because static timing analysis provides a kind of generic evaluation of estimated frequency, there are variables that the process doesn’t take into account. These include temperature and changes in voltage. These kinds of physical issues may alter the final outcome when it comes to the clock rate of an integrated circuit such as a CPU. Static timing analysis uses estimates called "corners" to try to predict specific outcomes.

A new alternative to regular static timing analysis is called statistical static timing analysis. Rather than using fixed or deterministic estimates, statistical static timing analysis uses a range of probabilities. This may help technicians or others to provide a better overall estimate of circuit performance. There is also a range of automated solutions available for timing analysis that can help refine a company’s ability to test products more quickly and more efficiently.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology expert

Margaret is an award-winning writer and educator known for her ability to explain complex technical topics to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles in the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret’s idea of ​​a fun day is to help IT and business professionals to learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.