arXiv:2507.17396eess.SPcs.LG2025-07

无需标准单元库,直接从网表预测电路延迟与波形。

Learning from Scratch: Structurally-masked Transformer for Next Generation Lib-free Simulation

  • 用网表感知的混合CNN-Transformer模型直接预测波形和延迟。
  • 在工业电路中实现低于0.0098的均方根误差,接近SPICE精度。
  • 适合需要高精度时序分析的芯片设计工程师使用。

本文提出一种新型神经框架,用于多级数据通路的功耗与时序预测,区别于依赖驱动特性建模和负载简化的传统基于库的方法。据我们所知,这是首个专为标准单元设计的语言化、网表感知的神经网络。该方法采用两个预训练模型:波形预测与延迟估计,直接从SPICE网表中推断瞬态波形和传播延迟,条件参数包括负载电容、输入边沿速率和门尺寸。该方法无需简化或插值即可准确捕捉固有延迟及耦合引起的延迟效应。针对多级时序预测,采用递归传播策略,每级输出波形作为下一级输入,累计捕获逻辑链中的延迟,确保时序对齐与完整波形可见性。波形预测采用具备网表感知节点编码的混合CNN-Transformer架构,克服传统Transformer固定输入维度限制。此外,专用子网络分别处理主延迟估计与串扰校正。实验表明,该框架在多种工业电路中均达到接近SPICE级别的精度,均方根误差始终低于0.0098。该框架提供了一种可扩展、结构自适应的神经替代方案,显著提升对物理电路行为的拟合度。

原文摘要 · Abstract (English)

This paper proposes a neural framework for power and timing prediction of multi-stage data path, distinguishing itself from traditional lib-based analytical methods dependent on driver characterization and load simplifications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first language-based, netlist-aware neural network designed explicitly for standard cells. Our approach employs two pre-trained neural models of waveform prediction and delay estimation that directly infer transient waveforms and propagation delays from SPICE netlists, conditioned on critical physical parameters such as load capacitance, input slew, and gate size. This method accurately captures both intrinsic and coupling-induced delay effects without requiring simplification or interpolation. For multi-stage timing prediction, we implement a recursive propagation strategy where predicted waveforms from each stage feed into subsequent stages, cumulatively capturing delays across the logic chain. This approach ensures precise timing alignment and complete waveform visibility throughout complex signal pathways. The waveform prediction utilizes a hybrid CNN-Transformer architecture with netlist-aware node-level encoding, addressing traditional Transformers' fixed input dimensionality constraints. Additionally, specialized subnetworks separately handle primary delay estimation and crosstalk correction. Experimental results demonstrate SPICE-level accuracy, consistently achieving RMSE below 0.0098 across diverse industrial circuits. The proposed framework provides a scalable, structurally adaptable neural alternative to conventional power and timing engines, demonstrating high fidelity to physical circuit behaviors.

时序预测神经电路无库仿真

Thank you to arXiv for use of its open access interoperability. PaperDance 不是 arXiv 官方产品;中文卡片由大模型生成,请以原文为准。