How do you use waveform annotations and markers to enhance RTL design documentation and communication?

1 What are waveform annotations and markers?

Waveform annotations and markers are graphical or textual elements that you can add to your waveform display to provide additional information or context to your RTL design. Waveform annotations can include comments, labels, notes, references, or equations that describe or clarify your design logic, assumptions, or specifications. Waveform markers can include flags, arrows, cursors, or regions that indicate or measure specific points, intervals, or ranges of interest in your waveform.

3 How do you add waveform annotations and markers?

When adding waveform annotations and markers, the methods and commands vary depending on the waveform viewer or editor you use. Generally, you’ll need to select the signals or waveforms from the display or list, choose the type and style of annotation or marker from the toolbar, menu, or keyboard shortcut, enter or edit the text for the annotation, adjust the position or size of the marker if necessary, and save or export your waveform with the annotations and markers. This allows you to share your waveform with others.

4 How do you organize waveform annotations and markers?

Organizing your waveform annotations and markers in a logical and consistent way can make them more effective and readable. To do this, you can use different colors, fonts, or shapes to distinguish different types or categories of annotations or markers. Additionally, give your annotations or markers descriptive and meaningful names or labels to avoid ambiguity. Furthermore, align or group your annotations or markers according to their relevance or relationship to the signals or waveforms they refer to, and use layers or filters to show or hide different sets of annotations or markers depending on the purpose or audience of your waveform.

5 How do you review waveform annotations and markers?

To ensure that your waveform annotations and markers are accurate and complete, you should review them periodically and update them as needed. You should check that your annotations and markers match your design intent and behavior, as well as reflect the latest changes or revisions to your design. Furthermore, make sure that they are clear and concise, with correct grammar, spelling, and syntax. Additionally, they should be consistent and coherent throughout the waveform, as well as provide relevant and useful information or context to your design.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?