Convergence Centric Coverage for CDC Jitter Simulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Static timing verification systems face challenges in detecting setup and hold violations caused by metastability, particularly in clock domain crossing (CDC) jitter, which limits the ability to determine coverage of random values injection and trace failures to their source.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for convergence-centric coverage of CDC jitter in simulation, involving defining design constraints, identifying converging signal groups, applying jitters to CDC paths, storing jitters in a database, and using a simulation tool to determine test bench coverage, thereby reducing the time to develop an effective testbench and determine its coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If static timing verification systems are used to detect setup and hold violations, then data coherency can be verified, but the ability to determine coverage of random values injection and trace failures to their source is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by collecting CDC convergence information from simulation results and using it to generate coverage reports. The system monitors signal transitions, tracks jitter applications, and feeds this information back to determine test bench coverage, enabling quantitative assessment of verification effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary coverage model that bridges static timing verification and simulation-based CDC verification. This intermediary layer captures convergence information from multiple signal paths and translates it into meaningful coverage metrics, enabling comprehensive fault detection capability while maintaining information about verification coverage
2Loss of information
If convergence centric coverage analysis is implemented for CDC jitter, then comprehensive coverage models for correlated signals can be obtained, but the complexity of determining joint signal toggling and coverage metrics increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex CDC verification problem into manageable components: identifying groups of converging signals, tracking individual signal transitions, monitoring joint toggling events, and calculating coverage metrics for each segment. This segmentation approach reduces verification system complexity by breaking down the overall analysis into discrete, tractable tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying groups of converging signals and establishing coverage models before running simulations. By preparing the coverage analysis framework in advance and organizing signal groups beforehand, the system reduces the computational complexity during actual verification while maintaining comprehensive coverage information
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing convergence centric coverage for clock domain crossing (CDC) jitter in simulation is described. The method includes, in part, defining one or more design constraints associated with the circuit design, determining at least one group of converging signals associated with the circuit design using the one or more design constraints, applying a multitude of jitters to clock domain crossing (CDC) paths of the at least one group of converging signals, and storing the jitters in a jitter database.