LEOPARD: A Logical Effort-based Fanout OPtimizer for ARea and Delay

We present LEOPARD, a fanout optimization algorithm based on the effort delay model for near-continuous size buffer libraries. Our algorithm minimizes area under required timing and input capacitance constraints by finding the tree topology and assigning different gains to each buffer to minimize the total buffer area. Experimental results show that the new algorithm achieves significant buffer area improvement compared to previous approaches. 1