Simplifying FPGA Verification with HDLRegression

Working on FPGA design and verification is both crucial and takes a lot of time in modern electronics. In an age where quick development is essential, finding ways to save time while maintaining high quality is very important. In another article I have written about regression testing and HDLRegression, a tool specially developed to make FPGA design verification faster and more efficient. In this article I will show the how you can adapt your verification flow to use HDLRegression in only three small steps.

Getting Started with HDLRegression

Adapting the verification flow to HDLRegression is fast, involve just three simple steps, and requires minimal modifications to the existing testbench files. I will use a simple design and testbench to demonstrate how easy it is to get started.

Step 1: Preparing the Testbench

For this demonstration, consider a simple module named foo_dut for which I have already developed a testbench that use the UVVM framework. Note that HDLRegression will work with any verification framework. The initial step involves minimal setup: simply add a comment (-- hdlregression:tb) to the testbench entities. This code comment is used by HDLRegression to recognise these entities as testbenches.

Step 2: Setting Up the HDLRegression Simulation Script

HDLRegression simplifies the setup process by providing template scripts for new users. For my development flow, I have created a Python script called hr.py, which automatically copies a template file to my project folder. The setup for the HDLRegression simulation script is straightforward; in this demo, I need to specify the location of the UVVM Utility library on my machine, the library name, and the paths to the design and testbench files.

Step 3: Running Simulation

With everything set up, I am now ready to run the simulation. HDLRegression can run both locally and in Continuous Integration (CI) environments. This approach eliminates the need for TCL scripts or makefiles, offering a fast, efficient, and user-friendly experience.

Conclusion

HDLRegression presents a practical and efficient solution for FPGA verification. With only three simple steps, you can integrate HDLRegression into your existing workflow, thereby saving valuable time and reducing the complexity of the FPGA verification process. Whether you are working on a small project or a large-scale design, HDLRegression streamlines the verification tasks, allowing you to focus on writing good designs and testbenches.

Inventas #UVVM #HDLRegression #FPGA #ASIC #embedded