Verified commands: place_opt, psynopt, focal_opt. The user guide details how ICC performs congestion-driven placement. It also includes tables for pre-placement and post-placement optimization strategies.

The Synopsys IC Compiler (ICC) is the industry gold standard for physical implementation of digital integrated circuits. Whether you are performing floorplanning, placement, CTS (Clock Tree Synthesis), or routing, having access to a verified and complete User Guide is essential for successful tape-out.

This page serves as a curated index of essential Synopsys ICC documentation, helping you navigate the official manuals required for design flows, TCL scripting, and timing closure.

If you have access to Synopsys SolvNet, the official download page lists the checksum. On Linux, run:

md5sum icc_user_guide_2018.06.pdf

or

sha256sum icc_user_guide_2018.06.pdf

If the output does not match the SolvNet value, the PDF is tampered with or corrupted.

This section covers the final metal connections. It details:

This is the primary manual for anyone starting with physical design.

  • Target Audience: Physical Design Engineers, Layout Engineers.

    • Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat or a text editor. Check:

    Q: Is the Synopsys ICC User Guide available publicly? A: No. Synopsys documentation is proprietary. Access requires a valid SolvNet account associated with a licensed tool.

    Q: What is the difference between ICC and ICC II? A: ICC (IC Compiler) is the legacy tool. ICC II is the modern flagship offering with a new database architecture. While concepts are similar, the commands (especially regarding the place_opt and route_auto flows) differ significantly. Ensure you download the correct "ICC II User Guide."

    Q: How do I find the version of my ICC User Guide? A: Open the PDF and look at the footer or title page. It should state the version (e.g., "Version L-2016.03-SP1").

    Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. Always refer to the official Synopsys documentation for critical design decisions.

    The primary feature described in the Synopsys IC Compiler (ICC) and IC Compiler II user guides is the comprehensive management of the Physical Implementation Flow, transitioning a design from a netlist to a manufacturing-ready GDSII file.

    Key features highlighted across verified documentation include: Design Planning and Optimization

    Hierarchical Design Planning: Support for flat and hierarchical flows, including transparent hierarchical optimization and floorplan creation.

    PPA Driven Optimization: A unified framework for concurrent optimization of Performance, Power, and Area (PPA), specifically targeting aggressive design pressures in next-generation nodes.

    Machine Learning (ML) Integration: Uses ML-driven optimization for fast congestion prediction and design closure. Routing and Verification

    Clock Tree Synthesis (CTS): Automated building of clock trees that balance loads and minimize skew while meeting design rule constraints.

    In-Design Physical Verification: Integration with IC Validator for "live" DRC (Design Rule Checking) during layout, allowing designers to fix violations on-the-fly.

    Parasitic Extraction: Generating detailed SPF (Standard Parasitic Format) files for nets and RC values to be used in Static Timing Analysis (STA) with Synopsys PrimeTime. Advanced Node Support

    Foundry Certified Rules: Early and full compliance with design rules for advanced geometries (16/14nm down to sub-5nm), including FinFET-aware flows.

    Multi-patterning: Specialized support for advanced lithography requirements like multi-patterning. User Interface and Productivity

    To access the verified Synopsys IC Compiler (ICC) or IC Compiler II (ICC II) user guides, you must use the official Synopsys SolvNetPlus portal.

    As proprietary EDA (Electronic Design Automation) software, Synopsys does not publicly host "verified" PDF manuals for general download due to licensing and export control restrictions. Official Access Method Portal: Log in to SolvNetPlus.

    Credentials: Requires a registered username and password linked to a valid Synopsys site ID.

    Navigation: Once logged in, go to the Documentation section and filter by product (e.g., "IC Compiler II").

    Available Docs: You can find the Design Planning User Guide, Implementation User Guide, and Command Reference for specific versions (e.g., T-2022.03 or W-2024.09). Verified Learning Resources

    If you do not have corporate/academic portal access, you can find verified tutorials and technical datasheets publicly:

    Official Datasheets: The IC Compiler II Datasheet provides a high-level overview of features like FinFET-aware placement and machine learning-driven optimization.

    Workshop Labs: Some academic entities host workshop labs (e.g., IC Compiler II Lab-2018) that walk through GUI invocation and basic place-and-route flows.

    Third-Party Repositories: Platforms like Scribd often contain uploaded versions of these guides, though these are not official Synopsys mirrors and may be outdated. IC Compiler™ II Design Planning User Guide | PDF - Scribd

    The official, verified documentation for Synopsys IC Compiler (ICC) and IC Compiler II (ICC II) is exclusively hosted on Synopsys SolvNetPlus. Access requires a registered username and password, which is typically provided to qualified customers and educational partners under a license agreement.

    If you are looking for specific user guides or technical papers related to the ICC design flow, several secondary resources and academic tutorials provide verified instructions: Official Documentation & Support

    SolvNetPlus: The primary portal for downloading the latest PDF user guides, command references, and installation manuals for all Synopsys tools.

    Synopsys Documentation Web: A collection of online manuals providing instant access to the latest support information for qualified users. Verified Tutorials & Lab Guides (Secondary Sources)

    While the full proprietary user guides are restricted, the following technical documents provide detailed procedural steps for the ICC/ICC2 flow: Synopsys Documentation

    Finding a verified Synopsys IC Compiler (ICC or ICC II) User Guide PDF requires navigating Synopsys' proprietary support systems, as these documents are highly protected intellectual property. Official documentation is not typically available for public download on the open web. Where to Find Verified Synopsys ICC Documentation

    The only source for authentic, up-to-date, and verified Synopsys user guides is SolvNetPlus, Synopsys’ official customer support portal.

    Official Portal: Access the Synopsys SolvNetPlus Login to find a comprehensive library of user guides, reference manuals, and release notes.

    Requirements: Access is restricted to qualified customers and members of the Synopsys University Program. You will need a registered username, password, and often a valid Site ID provided by your company or educational institution.

    In-Tool Documentation: You can also access manual pages ("man pages") and help documentation directly within the tool by typing help or man at the icc_shell> or icc2_shell> prompt. Overview of Synopsys IC Compiler (ICC & ICC II)

    Synopsys IC Compiler is an industry-leading place-and-route (P&R) solution used for the physical implementation of digital integrated circuits. IC Compiler II: Place & Route Solution - Synopsys

    There is only one guaranteed method to get a verified, legal copy: Synopsys SolvNet.