Verification

High-level synthesis provides a way to explore hardware architectures to come up with the most efficient implementation for a given situation. But it has taken time for verification techniques to catch up with the idea and ensure design and architecture match.

Established physical layer verification IP packages focus so much on protocols they miss problems that arise from the broader context. A PHY verification kit bridges the gap.

Embedded systems developers are turning to agile techniques and continuous integration. To make these processes possible, you need an environment that supports easy access to virtual prototypes throughout the life cycle.

In-circuit emulation is attractive but brings with it debug-visibility issues. There are ways to restructure the environment to make bug hunting much more deterministic.

This multi-part series addresses various aspects of FPGA-based prototyping. Future installments will address budgeting and implementation, but we start by looking at why the technique is generating so much interest.

Emulation performance is a key metric in verification. But it is far from being the only consideration. How long it takes to get a design onto a verification platform and aspects such as debug are as important. These factors will control how verification platforms are deployed during a project's life cycle.

A look at some of the quality and safety requirements that must be met when developing and applying semiconductor IP to the automotive sector.

The increasing complexity of automative software is challenging the ability of established software testing strategies to demonstrate its functional safety. Here's how virtual prototyping can help.

The introduction of bigger FPGAs enables more complex prototypes - but makes debugging more of a challenge. Here's one way to address the issue.

What hardware designers can learn from software verification techniques such as agile, behaviour-driven development, code coverage and zero known defect strategies