Multi-tool CAD systems : a performance optimization case study

Abstract: "As Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems grow in size and complexity, the use of code or programs obtained from external sources is increasing. When these external tools become performance bottlenecks, traditional performance optimization methods can not be used. Instead, a black-box performance optimization approach must be used. Evaluation of the synthesis phase in the MICON system-level synthesis system revealed that over 90% of the time was spent in the commercial database. Black-box performance optimization uses a profiling method on the inputs to the database and a measurement of the synthesis time to identify areas on which to focus improvements. Modifications to the identified input areas produced over a factor of three speedup in total database processing time resulting in over a factor of two reduction in total MICON run time."