Ebook: The Verilog PLI Handbook: A User’s Guide and Comprehensive Reference on the Verilog Programming Language Interface

by Maq Mannan President and CEO, DSM Technologies Chairman of the IEEE 1364 Verilog Standards Group Past Chairman of Open Verilog International One of the major strengths of the Verilog language is the Programming Language Interface (PLI), which allows users and Verilog application developers to infinitely extend the capabilities of the Verilog language and the Verilog simulator. In fact, the overwhelming success of the Verilog language can be partly attributed to the exist­ ence of its PLI. Using the PLI, add-on products, such as graphical waveform displays or pre and post simulation analysis tools, can be easily developed. These products can then be used with any Verilog simulator that supports the Verilog PLI. This ability to create third­ party add-on products for Verilog simulators has created new markets and provided the Verilog user base with multiple sources of software tools. Hardware design engineers can, and should, use the Verilog PLI to customize their Verilog simulation environment. A Company that designs graphics chips, for exam­ ple, may wish to see the simulation results of a new design in some custom graphical display. The Verilog PLI makes it possible, and even trivial, to integrate custom soft­ ware, such as a graphical display program, into a Verilog simulator. The simulation results can then dynamically be displayed in the custom format during simulation. And, if the company uses Verilog simulators from mUltiple simulator vendors, this integrated graphical display will work with all the simulators.

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The Verilog PLI Handbook: A User's Guide and Comprehensive Referenceon the Verilog Programming Language Interface is designed to serve two specific needs:

• A tutorial on how to write PLI applications
• A reference book on the IEEE 1364-1998 Verilog PLI standard.

Towards this end, this book has two distinct parts. Part One is written for new users of the PLI. These chapters explain how the PLI works and how it is used to solve basic design verification tasks. A large number of small but useful examples illustrate the concepts presented in each chapter. Part Two provides a comprehensive reference of the IEEE 1364 PLI standard.
The Verilog PLI Handbook: A User's Guide and Comprehensive Referenceon the Verilog Programming Language Interface will be of interest to hardware design engineers who use or are familiar with the Verilog Hardware Description Language.

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The Verilog PLI Handbook: A User's Guide and Comprehensive Referenceon the Verilog Programming Language Interface is designed to serve two specific needs:

• A tutorial on how to write PLI applications
• A reference book on the IEEE 1364-1998 Verilog PLI standard.

Towards this end, this book has two distinct parts. Part One is written for new users of the PLI. These chapters explain how the PLI works and how it is used to solve basic design verification tasks. A large number of small but useful examples illustrate the concepts presented in each chapter. Part Two provides a comprehensive reference of the IEEE 1364 PLI standard.
The Verilog PLI Handbook: A User's Guide and Comprehensive Referenceon the Verilog Programming Language Interface will be of interest to hardware design engineers who use or are familiar with the Verilog Hardware Description Language.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xxiii
Introduction: The VPI and TF/ACC Parts of the Verilog PLI Standard....Pages 1-9
Front Matter....Pages 11-11
Creating PLI Applications Using VPI Routines....Pages 13-28
Interfacing VPI based PLI Applications to Verilog Simulators....Pages 29-54
How to Use the VPI Routines....Pages 55-96
Details about the VPI Routine Library....Pages 97-138
Reading and Modifying Values Using VPI Routines....Pages 139-182
Synchronizing to Verilog Simulations Using VPI Callbacks....Pages 183-226
Interfacing to C Models Using VPI Routines....Pages 227-257
Front Matter....Pages 259-259
Creating PLI Applications Using TF and ACC Routines....Pages 261-274
Interfacing TF/ACC based PLI Applications to Verilog Simulators....Pages 275-299
How to Use the TF Routines....Pages 301-327
Reading and Writing Values Using TF Routines....Pages 329-388
Synchronizing to Verilog Simulations Using Misctf Routines....Pages 389-415
Interfacing to C Models Using TF Routines....Pages 417-443
How to Use the ACC Routines....Pages 445-472
Details on the ACC Routine Library....Pages 473-521
Reading and Modifying Values Using ACC Routines....Pages 523-589
Synchronizing to Simulations Using the Value Change Link....Pages 591-600
Interfacing to C Models Using ACC Routines....Pages 601-627
Back Matter....Pages 629-785

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The Verilog PLI Handbook: A User's Guide and Comprehensive Referenceon the Verilog Programming Language Interface is designed to serve two specific needs:

• A tutorial on how to write PLI applications
• A reference book on the IEEE 1364-1998 Verilog PLI standard.

Towards this end, this book has two distinct parts. Part One is written for new users of the PLI. These chapters explain how the PLI works and how it is used to solve basic design verification tasks. A large number of small but useful examples illustrate the concepts presented in each chapter. Part Two provides a comprehensive reference of the IEEE 1364 PLI standard.
The Verilog PLI Handbook: A User's Guide and Comprehensive Referenceon the Verilog Programming Language Interface will be of interest to hardware design engineers who use or are familiar with the Verilog Hardware Description Language.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xxiii
Introduction: The VPI and TF/ACC Parts of the Verilog PLI Standard....Pages 1-9
Front Matter....Pages 11-11
Creating PLI Applications Using VPI Routines....Pages 13-28
Interfacing VPI based PLI Applications to Verilog Simulators....Pages 29-54
How to Use the VPI Routines....Pages 55-96
Details about the VPI Routine Library....Pages 97-138
Reading and Modifying Values Using VPI Routines....Pages 139-182
Synchronizing to Verilog Simulations Using VPI Callbacks....Pages 183-226
Interfacing to C Models Using VPI Routines....Pages 227-257
Front Matter....Pages 259-259
Creating PLI Applications Using TF and ACC Routines....Pages 261-274
Interfacing TF/ACC based PLI Applications to Verilog Simulators....Pages 275-299
How to Use the TF Routines....Pages 301-327
Reading and Writing Values Using TF Routines....Pages 329-388
Synchronizing to Verilog Simulations Using Misctf Routines....Pages 389-415
Interfacing to C Models Using TF Routines....Pages 417-443
How to Use the ACC Routines....Pages 445-472
Details on the ACC Routine Library....Pages 473-521
Reading and Modifying Values Using ACC Routines....Pages 523-589
Synchronizing to Simulations Using the Value Change Link....Pages 591-600
Interfacing to C Models Using ACC Routines....Pages 601-627
Back Matter....Pages 629-785
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