Mixed-Signal Assertion Reuse via Analog-to-Digital Coercion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack a solution for directly reusing digital assertions in mixed-signal simulation environments, leading to potential failures or errors when digital designs are migrated to include analog components, as existing simulators cannot handle analog signals in digital assertion statements.
Innovation Solution
The system and method enable the reuse of pure digital assertions by automatically coercing analog signals to digital signals through typecasting or dynamic conversion, allowing digital assertions to function correctly in mixed-signal simulations without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If digital assertions are reused in mixed-signal simulation environments, then verification efficiency is improved, but simulation reliability deteriorates due to type mismatch errors between digital and analog signals
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the data type parameter of analog signals when they are referenced in digital assertion statements. During simulation, analog signals are automatically converted from continuous analog type to discrete digital type (0 or 1) based on threshold comparisons, allowing digital assertions to operate correctly on mixed-signal designs without manual type conversion
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary conversion mechanism between analog and digital domains. When an analog signal is referenced in a digital assertion, the system automatically inserts a conversion layer that compares the analog signal against threshold values and produces equivalent digital values, enabling seamless interaction between digital assertions and analog signals
2Measurement precision
If manual conversion of analog signals to digital signals is performed, then assertion accuracy is improved, but verification time increases due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automatic conversion where the simulation environment automatically performs the analog-to-digital conversion when analog signals are referenced in digital assertions. The conversion happens transparently without requiring manual intervention from verification engineers, maintaining both accuracy and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary setup by establishing threshold values and conversion rules before simulation begins. During simulation, the pre-configured conversion mechanism automatically applies the appropriate digital values based on analog signal levels, eliminating the need for manual conversion during verification
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and computer program product is disclosed that recycle digital assertions for mixed-signal electronic designs. The approach enables the re-use of pure digital assertions which reference signals that turn out to resolve to analog due to the particular circuit configuration chosen during the verification process.