1. Purpose of the gate
This gate closes the specification stage. It fixes what the block does, how it connects and which configurations are supported, so that design, verification, test and implementation can work against a stable target, and so that SoC programs can build their own plans around the block.
Freezing does not mean nothing will change. It means later changes are proposed, assessed and agreed through change control, and every integrator hears about them. The gate tests whether the specification is complete and agreed enough that the cost of later change will be the exception rather than the rule.
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