Patent attributes
In some embodiments, a method is disclosed for converging on an acceptable integrated circuit design for an integrated circuit. The method can include selecting a path, determining if the path has a timing deficiency, segmenting the path into path segments and allocating the timing deficiency across the segments according to attributes of the path segments. Segments can have attributes such as a design freeze when the design is mature or “optimum.” Allocating can include allocating the timing deficiency across path segments according to attributes such as the proportion of the length of a segmented path to the overall path length. Allocating can include allocating the timing deficiency to path segments based on attributes provided as user input.