How To: Simulate Mixed Language Designs

DSim Cloud fully supports mixed language designs in VHDL, Verilog, and SystemVerilog. There are different methods to compile and run your design, depending on the following:

• if VHDL is used, or the design is purely Verilog / SystemVerilog
• you want to compile once, run multiple times
• your preference for the 3 stages of simulation (Analyze, Elaborate, Run)

Commands

• mdc dvhcom is required to analyze any VHDL files
• mdc dvlcom is used to analyze any Verilog / SystemVerilog files
• mdc dsim -a '-genimage ...' is used to elaborate the design after the files have been analyzed
• mdc dsim -a '-image ...' is used to run the image after the design has been elaborated
• mdc dsim -a '-F filelist.txt ...' is used to analyze, elaborate, and run designs that are purely Verilog / SystemVerilog

Methods

1. 1-step Method: Analyze, Elaborate, and Run in one step.

This method is applicable if both are true:

• the design is purely Verilog / SystemVerilog
• you want to compile everything on every run (compile once, run once)

Command:

mdc dsim -a '<design files> <options>'

Examples:

mdc dsim -a '-F filelist.txt +acc+b -waves waves.mxd'
mdc dsim -a 'my_dut.v my_ip.v my_tb.sv -timescale 1ns/1ps +acc+b -waves waves.mxd'

2. 2-step Method: Analyze and Elaborate in one step, Run in a second step.

This method is applicable if both are true:

• the design is purely Verilog / SystemVerilog
• you want to compile once, run multiple times

Commands:

mdc dsim -a '-genimage <image> <design files> <elaboration options>'
mdc dsim -a '-image <image> <run options>'

Example:

mdc dsim -a '-genimage myimage -F filelist.txt +acc+b'
mdc dsim -a '-image myimage -waves waves.mxd'

3. 3-step Method: Analyze, Elaborate and Run in 3 separate steps.

This method is applicable if either are true:

• the design has VHDL and Verilog / SystemVerilog
• you want to compile once, run multiple times

Commands:

mdc dvhcom -a '<vhdl design files>'
mdc dvlcom -a '<verilog or SystemVerilog files>'
mdc dsim -a '-genimage <image> -top <library>.<module> <elaboration options>'
mdc dsim -a '-image <image> <run options>'

Example:

mdc dvhcom -a '-F filelist_VHDL.txt'
mdc dvlcom -a '-F filelist_SV.txt'
mdc dsim -a '-genimage myimage -top work.carry_lookahead_adder_tb +acc+b'
mdc dsim -a '-image myimage -waves waves.mxd'

Example

The carry_lookahead_adder example from the Walkthrough Tutorial has folders for VHDL, SystemVerilog, and VHDL_SystemVerilog implementations of the same design. Open /sim/readme.txt under these folders to see how to simulate the design according to the language(s) and methods described above.