Interval methods for modeling uncertainty in RC timing analysis

The authors propose representing uncertain parameters as intervals and present a theoretical framework based on interval algebra for manipulating these ranges. To illustrate this methodology, they modify an existing RC analysis algorithm (Crystal's PR-Slope model) to create one which computes worst-case delay bounds when given uncertain input parameters. They provide proofs of correctness for the approach and test its performance. Two alternate interval-based techniques which produce even tighter bounds than the original approach are also presented. When compared to Monte Carlo simulation, the interval methods are more precise and significantly faster. >