Evaluate the hold time slack for a fast path given the following constraints: Launch Clock Path Delay = 1.0 ns, Capture Clock Path Delay = 2.5 ns, Tcq = 1.5 ns, Tcomb = 0.5 ns, and Flip-Flop Thold = 1.0 ns.
Hold checks ensure data does not overwrite the previous cycle's data too early. Data Arrival Time (DAT) for hold = Launch Delay + Tcq + Tcomb = 1.0 + 1.5 + 0.5 = 3.0 ns. Hold Required Time (HRT) = Capture Delay + Thold = 2.5 + 1.0 = 3.5 ns. Hold Slack = DAT - HRT = 3.0 - 3.5 = -0.5 ns. A negative slack indicates a hold violation; the data arrives too quickly because the capture clock is heavily delayed (positive skew).
