Design Compiler (DC) vs IC Compiler (ICC)

DC is a synthesis tool ( that convert RTL code into gate-level netlist and optimize it).

It may works with WLM and with TLUPlus files.  The using WLM mode is an old approach to synthesis. In this mode, DC does not know about floorplan, about real wires, so the output optimized netlist may not be suitable for PnR tool.  But when DC uses TLUPlus files ( for RC estimation) , it works with floorplan, it do some kind of real placement ( and even some kind of routing -- DC graphical license ), so the output netlist is optimal as input for PnR tool ( for ICC).

ICC is a PnR tool, and it works well in conjection with DC.

TLUPlus is a  binary table format that stores the RC coefficients. The TLUPlus models enable accurate RC extraction results by including the effects of width , space, density, and temperature on the resistance coefficients. For details about modeling these effects in the Interconnect Technology Format (ITF) file, see the StarRC documentation.

To use TLUPlus models for RC estimation and extraction, you specify the following files:

-- The map file, which matches the layer and via names in the Milkyway technology file with the           names in the ITF file.

-- The maximum TLUPlus model file.

-- The minimum TLUPlus model file (optional). Specifying the minimum TLUPlus file is necessary if the minimum and maximum operating conditions are different and the TLUPlus models have derating coefficients. In that case, the minimum file must be specified even if it is the same as the maximum file.

You specify these files by using the set_tlu_plus_files cmd ( or by choosing File > Set TLU+ in the GUI). You can specify TLUPlus file names with or without their full paths. If you do not include the paths, IC Compiler uses the search paths defined with the search_path variable.

For example,

icc_shell> set_tlu_plus_files \

     -tech2itf_map ./path/map_file_name.map \

     -max_tluplus ./path/worst_settings.tlup \

     -min_tluplus ./path/best_settings.tlup

After specifying the TLUPlus files, you should validate them by running the check_tlu_plus_files command.