C-API instrumentation for HDL models

#1. Technical Field

#The present invention relates in general to designing and simulating digital devices, modules and systems in a distributed simulation environment. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and system that improve a distributed simulation environment to allow for efficient monitoring and utilization of instrumentation events embedded with a simulation model. More particularly, the present invention relates to instrumenting testcase execution processing of a hardware description language (HDL) model using a simulation control program.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a data processing system;

#FIG. 2 depicts a representative hardware environment of the data processing system illustrated in FIG. 1;

#The present invention provides for accurate and comprehensive monitoring of a digital circuit design in which a designer creates instrumentation modules utilizing the same hardware description language (HDL) as utilized for the design itself. HDLs, while suited to the needs of digital designers can also be effectively utilized for a number of checking functions. In accordance with the Method and System of the present invention, instrumentation modules are utilized to monitor specified design parameters while not becoming compiled as an integral part of the design itself. Furthermore, since the instrumentation modules are written in the same HDL as utilized in the actual design, such modules are platform and simulator independent. Unlike checking done with C or C++ programs, HDL instrumentation can be compiled and run directly without loss of performance on hardware simulators.

#With reference now to the figures, and in particular with reference to FIG. 1, there is depicted a pictorial representation of a data processing system 10 with which the present invention maybe advantageously utilized. As illustrated, data processing system 10 comprises a workstation 12 to which one or more nodes 13 are connected. Workstation 12 preferably comprises a high performance multiprocessor computer, such as the RISC System/6000 or AS/400 computer systems available from International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). Workstation 12 preferably includes nonvolatile and volatile internal storage for storing software applications comprising an ECAD system, which can be utilized to develop and verify a digital circuit design in accordance with the method and system of the present invention. As depicted, nodes 13 are comprised of a display device 14, a keyboard 16, and a mouse 20. The ECAD software applications executed within workstation 12 preferably display a graphic user interface (GUI) within display screen 22 of display device 14 with which a digital circuit designer can interact using a keyboard 16 and mouse 20. Thus, by entering appropriate inputs utilizing keyboard 16 and mouse 20, the digital circuit designer is able to develop and verify a digital circuit design according to the method described further hereinbelow.

#FIG. 2 depicts a representative hardware environment of data processing system 10. Data processing system 10 is configured to include all functional components of a computer and its associated hardware. Data processing system 10 includes a Central Processing Unit (“CPU”) 24, such as a conventional microprocessor, and a number of other units interconnected via system bus 26. CPU 24 includes a portion of data processing system 10 that controls the operation of the entire computer system, including executing the arithmetical and logical functions contained in a particular computer program. Although not depicted in FIG. 2, CPUs such as CPU 24 typically include a control unit that organizes data and program storage in a computer memory and transfers the data and other information between the various parts of the computer system. Such CPUs also generally include an arithmetic unit that executes the arithmetical and logical operations, such as addition, comparison, multiplications and so forth. Such components and units of data processing system 10 can be implemented in a system unit such as workstation 12 of FIG. 1.