Smarter DFT Starts at RTL: A Deep Dive into Modern DFT Flows with Genus

As SoC designs become bigger in size and complexity, design‑for‑test (DFT) can no longer be treated as a late‑stage checkbox. Modern designs demand early, physically aware, and synthesis‑integrated DFT flows to meet aggressive power, performance, and area (PPA) targets—without compromising test coverage.

In this webinar, we explore how DFT insertion in Cadence's Genus Synthesis Solution after RTL instrumentation enables exactly that: a scalable, production‑ready methodology that aligns logical DFT intent with physical implementation realities.

Recording Available: In case you missed attending this webinar, you can watch the recording: CadenceTECHTALK: Inserting Gate-Level DFT in Genus After DFT Instrumentation at RTL

Why DFT in Genus After RTL Instrumentation Matters

Traditional DFT flows often introduce scan logic late, leading to:

• Unplanned congestion
• Timing regressions
• Multiple ECO cycles

By contrast, inserting and managing DFT within the synthesis task allows teams to:

• Leverage early physical information
• Optimize scan stitching and wrapper placement
• Reduce iterations between synthesis and place‑and‑route

What the session covers:

• Modern DFT flows vs. classic synthesis flows
• Preserving RTL‑inserted DFT IP during synthesis
• Test signal, scan chain, and abstract model definition
• IEEE 1500 wrapper insertion and scan stitching
• Physically aware test point insertion using Cadence's Genus, Innovus, and Modus technologies
• Practical scripting examples and DFT Analyzer insights

Conclusion

This webinar reinforced a clear message: modern DFT must be early, integrated, and physically aware. By inserting DFT in Genus after RTL instrumentation, design teams can achieve:

• Better PPA
• Cleaner scan architectures
• Faster convergence with fewer iterations

For teams building complex SoCs, this approach is no longer optional, it's essential.

Learn More

Watch the internal Cadence training portal (ASK) webinar associated with this session: CadenceTECHTALK: Inserting Gate-Level DFT in Genus After DFT Instrumentation at RTL