The Art of Verification’s Post

𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐂 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 The The Art of Verification’s recent article illuminates the nuanced steps of the SoC verification flow, a process that demands meticulous attention to detail and strategic planning. 🔍 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: The initial phase involves a deep dive into the SoC’s architecture, extracting its top-level functionalities. This stage is critical as any misinterpretation could lead to significant delays and design flaws. 📝 𝐒𝐨𝐂 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧: Defining the boundaries between SoC and IP verification is essential. It’s about identifying what needs verification at the SoC level versus the sub-block or IP level, ensuring clarity and focus. ♻️ 𝐑𝐞𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: Efficiency is key. By identifying which components can be reused from block-level verification, we can significantly cut down on development time. 🔗 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Ensuring that the communication between sub-blocks is flawless is paramount. This step verifies the integrity of the SoC’s internal communication pathways. 🔄 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬: Flexibility in the verification plan allows for the incorporation of new features as they emerge, ensuring the plan remains comprehensive and up-to-date. For those looking to delve deeper into the strategic intricacies of SoC verification, the full article provides a wealth of knowledge. #theartofverification #SoCVerification #ChipDesign #SystemOnChip #VerificationFlow #SemiconductorIndustry #IntegratedCircuits #ElectronicDesignAutomation #EDA #VLSI #ASICDesign #FPGA #HardwareVerification #DesignVerification #TechInnovation #EngineeringExcellence https://lnkd.in/g-3KdrDA

💡 Why choose Hard IP for eFPGA technology? 💡 If you're working on SoC or ASIC designs and considering the best approach for integrating eFPGA, check out our latest blog post! Discover why Hard IP offers significant advantages in performance, power efficiency, and design reliability compared to traditional Soft IP solutions. #eFPGA #SoCDesign #ASIC #HardIP #SemiconductorInnovation #QuickLogic

Navigating the intricate landscape of System-on-Chip (SoC) designs requires a blend of technical expertise and strategic thinking. SoCs, integrating multiple functionalities onto a single chip, demand a meticulous approach from conception to implementation. Understanding the diverse components, such as processors, memory, and peripherals, is crucial. Moreover, balancing power efficiency, performance, and cost considerations adds complexity. Successful SoC navigation involves leveraging advanced design methodologies, like hardware description languages and simulation tools. Collaboration across interdisciplinary teams is vital, harmonizing hardware and software aspects. Staying abreast of evolving industry standards and technological advancements is non-negotiable in this dynamic field. Embracing modular design principles and verification techniques helps mitigate risks and streamline the development process. By mastering these intricacies, engineers can unlock the full potential of SoC designs, creating innovative solutions that redefine the boundaries of embedded systems.

✴️I'm excited to announce the final step of Design and implementation MIPS-Based SoC project. First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to Eng Abdulkareem Abotaleb . He is truly a very cooperative person and deserves all respect and appreciation. My journey during this course was truly interesting and very useful, as I learned a lot of information and skills from him and benefited greatly from his extensive experience working in this field. I advise anyone who wants to expand their knowledge and gain new experiences in the field of Digital IC Design to find themselves a seat in the upcoming courses of Eng Abdulkareem Abotaleb . 🛠️ Project Overview: The core was building a pipelined MIPS processor, capable of executing all instructions efficiently. The following components were integral to the design: ⏩Branch Prediction Unit: To optimize performance, I implemented a branch prediction mechanism that anticipates conditional branch outcomes, reducing pipeline stalls and ensuring smoother execution flow. This was critical for improving overall throughput and minimizing delays due to control hazards. ⏩Hazard Detection and Resolution Unit: Pipelining introduces the challenge of hazards (data and control). I integrated a hazard detection unit to address both data hazards (forwarding and stalling) and control hazards, ensuring that the pipeline executes seamlessly without compromising data integrity or performance. ⏩Coprocessor0 for Exception Handling: The design includes Coprocessor0, which handles exceptions and system-level operations like interrupts. ⏩Peripheral Integration via AHB & APB Interfaces: A major highlight of this project was the successful integration of the MIPS processor with SoC peripherals. Using the AMBA AHB and APB interfaces, the processor was connected to various on-chip peripherals, enabling high-performance data transfers and communication with external devices. ⏩FPGA Verification and Testing: After designing and simulating the architecture, the complete system was implemented on an FPGA. and i haved running a Synthesis on up to 43MHz💪. 📊 Key Results: 1️⃣Increased instruction throughput with multi-stage pipelining. 2️⃣Reduced pipeline stalls through effective branch prediction. 3️⃣Smooth hazard handling with minimal interruptions. 4️⃣Robust exception handling via Coprocessor0. 5️⃣Successful integration of SoC peripherals, verified on an FPGA platform. ⏩Challenges and Learnings: 1️⃣designing an effective hazard detection unit that resolved issues without affecting the performance of the pipelined stages. 2️⃣Implementing the branch prediction unit was another complex task, but it taught me the intricacies of control flow management in pipelines. 3️⃣ Improving performance and Timing 🥸For more Details please take alook for atatach Pdf project.😁 #FPGA #Verilog #DigitalDesign #MIPS #HardwareDesign #VLSI #FPGAFlow #ProcessorDesign#SoC

Modern #ASIC #chips are highly complex and contain millions of transistors, thus, the likelihood of having an error somewhere in the chip during the design process is very high. The earlier the error is detected, the less it will cost. Therefore, ensuring the ASIC is bug free as early as possible, preferably during the design process is extremely important.   The goal of ASIC #verification is to make sure that the design meets the system requirements and specifications.   ASIC verification process is one of the crucial things during ASIC design process and can consume as much as 70-80% of the total ASIC design and verification time. Luckily, there are many tools and processes that can help with this task. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/d_4jtv55

Ericsson is looking for a couple engineers to own, develop and promote the Gate Level Simulations methodology. Gate Level Simulation is proving to be more and more necessary - especially with Timing. Many companies tried to eliminate it by using point tools. But a recent paper by Harry Foster with a survey of ASIC respins from 2016 to 2022 shows that more respins were caused by Timing Bugs than all Logic and Functional Bugs combined. Harry Foster’s “Formal Verification Study - 2022” - WRG https://lnkd.in/gF6ZNYQR Adding Clocking, and the two Timing (fast and slow) categories = 48.75% of respins, compared to all Logic and Functional Bugs = 48% over 4 surveys in 8 years. Most timing bugs that get into silicon cannot be found with RTL simulation, but they can be found by the proper use of GLS with SDF back-annotated timing and the use of timing checks and timing violation filtering. We are looking to train someone on my GLS methodology before I retire, then promote that methodology throughout the corporation. You can see my post on DeepChip.com - 4 parts:  Dan Joyce's 16 bug types only found with gate-level simulation https://lnkd.in/gbSy7fFA   Dan Joyce's 29 cost-effective gate-level simulation tips (pt 1) https://lnkd.in/gk9AHtji   Dan Joyce's 29 cost-effective gate-level simulation tips (pt 2) https://lnkd.in/gwcBW_sg   Dan Joyce's 29 cost-effective gate-level simulation tips (pt 3) https://lnkd.in/gqyCNSEd I created this post to entice other GLS engineers to discuss my various tricks that allow GLS to progress more efficiently and predictably, and to increase the chances of finding real silicon bugs before tapeout. This post is pretty old, and we’ve learned more tricks in the last 8 years. I plan to update the post in retirement, but you can learn these tricks now. If you are interested in learning my GLS methodology with a focus on timing bugs, and if you feel you are able to promote that methodology to sites all over the world, please contact me. Thanks, Dan Joyce

🔍 Mastering Verification in IC & SoC Design: A Must-Read Guide 🔍 Design verification in IC and SoC development is a critical step to ensure quality and reliability in modern technology. As these systems become increasingly complex, finding efficient verification processes has never been more essential. 💡 Discover the best practices and tools that are streamlining verification workflows and overcoming common hurdles. This piece is a valuable resource for engineers, product managers, and anyone involved in the IC & SoC design space. At Visure Solutions, we’re committed to advancing verification excellence through innovative tools and methodologies, working closely with partners like ELECTRA IC to support seamless and effective IC and SoC design processes. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gG5WWF2z #ICDesign #SoCDesign #DesignVerification

Week 3 is an🚀 FPGA Engineering Challenge 🚀 You're designing a 4-bit counter using an FPGA. The counter increments on every rising clock edge and resets to zero when the 'reset' signal is asserted. Which of the following correctly describes how the reset should behave? A. The counter resets on the rising clock edge. B. The counter resets asynchronously when the reset signal is asserted. C. The counter resets synchronously on the next clock cycle when reset is asserted. D. The counter resets only when both reset and clock signals are high. 💡 Which one is correct and why? 🎯 Bonus Question (for discussion): What are the benefits of using FPGA-based counters in real-time systems compared to software-based implementations? Drop your answers and thoughts in the comments! 👇

5 Reasons You Should Use Lattice Nexus or Avant For Your Next FPGA Project: 1. Best in class power - and it is not even close. Lattice Nexus and Avant are architected for low power and fabric performance. Other vendor's have mid-range products that waterfall from high-end families. Lattice's LUT4 architecture uses 75% less SRAM bits than LUT6, which means significantly less leakage. 2. Innovative and small package offerings. Our CertusPro-NX, with 100K LCs and 10G SerDes sits in a 9x9mm 256-ball ASG package. Our Avant-X with 637K SLCs and 25G SerDes can be had in a 15x15mm, 841-ball CSP. 3. Lowest total solution cost and footprint. No power sequencing or complex power distribution network is needed, even for our SerDes products. Gone are the days of a large power and passive component courtyard around your device. Did I mention our software tools are free to use for most of our products? 4. Dedicated support. If you are in the Southeast or Mid-Atlantic, you get to work with me and our great distribution partners directly. If not, I'll connect you to one of our experts in your region. No web forum or AI chat bot trying to answer your questions or support your design. 5. Simplified design tools. Our software tools reflect the design intention and use of our parts – small to mid-complexity programmable logic. Lattice Radiant is a ~2GB download and comes bundled with a plethora of design examples and access to our complete catalog of IP. FPGA designers relish the immediacy and intuitiveness of our modern tools... and you can quickly turn your design into a SoC with Lattice Propel. #lattice #FPGA #verilog #vhdl #avant

Designing with FPGAs can be challenging. According to a recent survey 68% are behind schedule. Most take 3 or more iterations through the lab and 84% of FPGA design projects have non-trivial bugs that escape into production. And yet, even though designers could verify as they code, they continue to find issues late or not at all. Structural issues typically aren’t apparent until simulation or later which increases development time, risk, and costs.  The Visual Verification Suite significantly contributes to design efficiency and quality, let us show you how.  https://lnkd.in/gFk7cY8v #fpga #fpgadesign #embeddedsystems #CDC #clockdomaincrossing #electronics #digitlalogic #engineering #verification #rtldesign #verilog