Tool Automates Generation Of SystemVerilog Testbenches

THE SYSTEMVERILOG INFRASTRUCTURE is built out further with Synopsys' introduction of Pioneer-NTB. This testbenchautomation tool delivers native SystemVerilog testbench generation to users of third-party simulators. As a result, verification engineers can

David Maliniak

Oct. 13, 2005

The SystemVerilog infrastructure is built out further with Synopsys' introduction of Pioneer-NTB. This testbenchautomation tool delivers native SystemVerilog testbench generation to users of third-party simulators. As a result, verification engineers can adopt a single, standards-based verification infrastructure in mixed-simulation environments.

The efficiency gains are among the chief advantages of using a tool such as Pioneer-NTB with either Synopsys' VCS, Cadence's NC-SIM, or Mentor's ModelSim. Pioneer-NTB can optimize all inputs and compile them natively to run on Sun or Linux workstation farms. One beta user has seen a fivefold performance gain compared to using VCS and Vera testbench generation.

Pioneer-NTB fully supports Synopsys' Reference Verification Methodology, enabling users to quickly adopt best verification practices. It also provides an assertion intellectual-property library to help verify complex protocols. The tool supports all major SystemVerilog verification constructs.

Customers of Synopsys' existing Vera standalone testbenchautomation tool will receive Pioneer-NTB at no charge, giving those Vera users access to SystemVerilog. Pioneer-NTB also supports the OpenVera verification language as well as mixed OpenVera-SystemVerilog environments.

Pricing for Pioneer-NTB starts at $17,150 for a one-year term subscription license. It's available now.

Synopsys
www.synopsys.com

About the Author

David Maliniak

MWRF Executive Editor

In his long career in the B2B electronics-industry media, David Maliniak has held editorial roles as both generalist and specialist. As Components Editor and, later, as Editor in Chief of EE Product News, David gained breadth of experience in covering the industry at large. In serving as EDA/Test and Measurement Technology Editor at Electronic Design, he developed deep insight into those complex areas of technology. Most recently, David worked in technical marketing communications at Teledyne LeCroy. David earned a B.A. in journalism at New York University.