OSVVM in a NutShell, VHDL’s #1 Verification Methodology

Conference:	Verification Futures 2023 (click here to see full programme)
Speaker:	Jim Lewis
Presentation Title:	OSVVM in a NutShell, VHDL’s #1 Verification Methodology
Abstract:	OSVVM is an advanced verification methodology that defines a VHDL verification framework, verification utility library, verification component library, scripting API, and co-simulation capability that simplifies your FPGA or ASIC verification project from start to finish. Using these libraries you can create a readable, powerful, and concise testbench that will boost productivity for either low level block tests (unit tests) or complex FPGA and ASIC tests. OSVVM is developed by the same VHDL experts who have helped develop VHDL standards. We have used our expert VHDL skills to create advanced verification capabilities that provide: A structured transaction-based verification framework using verification components A common, shared transaction API for address bus (AXI4, Avalon, …) and streaming (AXI Stream, UART) verification components Improved readability and reviewability by the whole team including software and system engineers. Improved reuse and reduced project schedules. Buzz word features including Constrained Random, Functional Coverage, Scoreboards, FIFOs, Memory Models, error logging and reporting, and message filtering that are simple to use and work like built-in language features. A common scripting API to run all simulators. OSVVM scripting supports GHDL, NVC, Aldec Riviera-PRO and ActiveHDL, Siemens Questa and ModelSim, Synopsys VCS, and Cadence Xcelium. A Co-simulation capability that supports running software (C++) in a hardware simulation environment. Unmatched test reporting with HTML based test suite reports, test case reports, and logs that facilitate debug and test artifact collection. Support for continuous integration (CI/CD) with JUnit XML test suite reporting. A rival to the verification capabilities of SystemVerilog + UVM. OSVVM has grown rapidly during the COVID years, giving us better capability, better test reporting (HTML and Junit), and scripting that is simple to use (and works with most VHDL simulators). This presentation will show how these advances fit into the overall OSVVM Methodology. Looking to improve your VHDL verification methodology? OSVVM provides a complete solution for VHDL ASIC or FPGA verification. There is no new language to learn. It is simple, powerful, and concise. Any VHDL engineer can write either tests or verification components. Each piece/capability of OSVVM can be used separately. Hence, you can learn and adopt pieces as you need them. Maybe your EDA vendor has suggested that you should be using SystemVerilog for verification. According to the 2022 Wilson Verification Survey [1], for both FPGA design and verification, VHDL is used more often than Verilog or SystemVerilog. Likewise, in the survey you will find that OSVVM is the #1 VHDL verification methodology. Blog
Speaker Bio:	Jim Lewis is an innovator and leader in the VHDL community. He has 30 plus years of design and teaching experience. He is the Chair of the IEEE 1076 VHDL Standards Working Group. He is a co-founder of the Open Source VHDL Verification Methodology (OSVVM) and the chief architect of the packages and methodology. He is an expert VHDL trainer for SynthWorks Design Inc. In his design practice, he has created designs for print servers, IMA E1/T1 networking, fighter jets, video phones, and space craft. Whether teaching, developing OSVVM, consulting on VHDL design and verification projects, or working on the IEEE VHDL standard, Mr Lewis brings a deep understanding of VHDL to architect solutions that solve difficult problems in simple ways.
Key Points:	A structured, transaction based testbench that uses OSVVM’s codified transaction interface and API to facilitate developing verification components and writing tests. Buzz word features including Constrained Random, Functional Coverage, Scoreboards, FIFOs, Memory Models, error logging and reporting, and message filtering that are simple to use and work like built-in language features. Unmatched test reporting with HTML for humans and JUnit XML for CI tools.