Using haloes in mixed-signal assertion based verification

Abstract

Abstract-We develop an assertion based verification solution for analog mixed-signal designs. We introduce the halo concept for analog signals to express them with their tolerance and variation values in assertions. The halo of a signal provides a relaxation over the signal and it defines an effective region for that signal which can be used in assertion based verification. Using haloes for analog signals allow us to define a new set of comparison relations between two analog signals including their equivalence. In our intended design flow, these new analog signal operators are placed into the Analog layer of mixed-signal assertion languages as an extension. We present experimental results on a programmable switch and a VCO.

Research Trends in Formal Verification Process for Analog and Mixed Signal Design

“…Study on this direction was carried out by Ulus and Sen [30] in 2012, who have introduced an assertion-based verification process for analog mixed-signal design. As analog signals usually associated with some tolerance and variation values in the real world, operations over these signals should consider these facts.…”

“…As analog signals usually associated with some tolerance and variation values in the real world, operations over these signals should consider these facts. Ulus and Sen [30] introduced a pair of boundary signals concept to express tolerance and variation values of analog signals in assertions. It was shown that the concept of haloes is useful to express analog signals in a more natural way in assertions.…”