Glossary comparison
Design Compiler vs Fusion Compiler: what is the difference?
The difference
Fusion Compiler is Synopsys's combined synthesis and implementation product. Design Compiler covers synthesis and hands its netlist to a separate place and route tool.
Design Compiler is Synopsys's long-established synthesis tool, whose netlist goes on to a separate place and route step. Fusion Compiler covers synthesis and implementation in one product.
The two terms
Design Compiler
Synopsys's long-established logic synthesis tool, which maps RTL to a gate-level netlist under SDC constraints. Its topographical mode adds placement awareness, and its Tcl shell and command set became the de facto industry scripting idiom.
Fusion Compiler
Synopsys's single-binary RTL-to-GDSII implementation tool, which runs synthesis, placement, clock tree synthesis, routing and signoff-accurate analysis on one unified data model.
Side by side
| Field | Design Compiler | Fusion Compiler |
|---|---|---|
| Stands for | Not an abbreviation | Not an abbreviation |
| Type | Tool | Tool |
| Domain | EDA Tools & Flows | EDA Tools & Flows |
| Group | Logic synthesis | Logic synthesis |