Path sensitization in critical path problem

Since the delay of a circuit is determined by the delay of its longest sensitizable paths (such paths are called critical paths), the problem of estimating the delay of a circuit is called critical path problem. One important aspect of the critical path problem is to decide whether a path is sensitizable. A framework which allows various previously proposed path sensitization criteria to be compared with each other in a unified way is presented. An exact path sensitization criterion and a looser path sensitization criterion based on the framework are also proposed.<>