Class-based Design Verification with Python cocotb

The Python-based cocotb framework is an attractive option for verification engineers who would prefer not to learn a whole new verification language or a heavyweight verification methodology. But one can be put off by the dynamic nature of Python and its history as a scripting language, for fear of creating a testbench environment which is poorly structured or merely a point solution. We aim to dispel these fears by presenting an outline of a structured class-based verification framework, illustrating how cocotb could be used to develop configurable testbenches with reusable components.

Matt Bridle has been writing and delivering training courses for Doulos since 2007, specialising in Digital Design & Verification, VHDL, SystemVerilog, Python and C/C++ programming for embedded systems. Since graduating from the University of Cambridge with a BA (Hons.) in Computer Science, Matt has been in the electronics industry for over 25 years. In the engineering and support teams at ARM Ltd., he worked in the development of VHDL, Verilog and C based hardware modelling technologies, as well as in training and support for their customer base. Matt also worked for a number of years on the implementation of FPGA signal processing designs in VHDL.