SystemVerilog basics - RTL constructs

SystemVerilog is a major extension to Verilog-2001, adding significant new features to Verilog for design, assertions, synthesis and verification. Enhancements range from simple enhancements to existing constructs, addition of new language constructs to the inclusion of a complete Object-Oriented paradigm features. There are also considerable improvements in the usability of Verilog for RTL design.

In this course we cover the basics of IEEE 1800 - SystemVerilog. Topics covered will be useful for both RTL designers and verification engineers as it covers the basics. As a basic course this does not go in-depth into Synthesis related details, that shall be covered in an advanced course later.

Objectives

• To explore the new features of SystemVerilog for RTL design and demonstrate the improvements in modeling with SV

• Also introduce audience to new complex aggregate data types that assist in advanced scoreboards, reference models etc. for verification and modeling.

Prerequisites

Attendees must be familiar with Verilog and ideally, but not essentially, Verilog-2001. No prior knowledge of SystemVerilog is required. Digital design fundamentals is a must pre-requisite.

Following topics are covered:

1. Introduction to SystemVerilog

• Language evolution

• SV Design

• SV Assertions

• SV testbench

• DPI

• API

  2. Introduction to SystemVerilog

2.Data types, procedural constructs - enhancements

• Data types, type checking, type cast

• Enhanced always, case/if... else, loop, flow

3. Aggregate data types - arrays

• Enhancements to static/fixed Arrays from Verilog-2001

• Multi-dimensional arrays, system functions

• Dynamic arrays

• Associative arrays

• Queues

• Array query operators

4. Packages, port connections

• Packages

• Enhanced port connection styles

5. Interfaces in SystemVerilog

• Interface - Grouping signals

• Modport

• Clocking block