The overview of System Verilog contains different common questions like basics, history, different versions, advantages and disadvantages. Here we have covered all the related topics in the following article.
What is System Verilog?
System Verilog is a hardware descriptive language (HDL) that is used for designing and verifying digital designs, such as microprocessors, ASICs, and FPGAs. It can also use in verification methodologies such as Universal Verification Methodology (UVM) and Verification IP(VIP).
It provides
- higher level of abstraction,
- leading shorter design cycles
- faster time to market
- high-quality test benches.
History of System Verilog
System Verilog was developed by Accellera, a standards organization for electronic design automation (EDA), as an extension to the Verilog hardware description language. The first version of System Verilog, known as IEEE Std. 1800-2005, had released in December 2005.
Different Versions of System Verilog
| Version | Released Year | New features | |
| IEEE 1800-2005 | December 2005 | -> New features for both design and verification -> Object-oriented programming constructs (OOPs) -> Interfaces Assertions | |
| IEEE 1800-2009 | February 2009 | -> Enhanced support for low-power design -> Improved support for interfaces -> Improvements to the assertion language. | |
| IEEE 1800-2012 | December 2012 | -> Improved DPI (Direct Programming Interface) for interfacing with C/C++ code -> Enhancements to the coverage model -> Improvements to the assertion language. | |
| IEEE 1800-2017 | December 2017 | -> Improved DPI (Direct Programming Interface) for interfacing with C/C++ code -> Enhancements to the coverage model -> Improvements to the assertion language. | |
Table: Shows different versions of System Verilog
Each new version of System Verilog adds new features and improvements to the language, so makes it powerful and easier for Verification and Design Engineers.
What are the Advantages of System Verilog?
System Verilog offers several advantages for design and verification engineers, including:
- It is a globally accepted language for designing and verification.
- It provides many features, such as object-oriented programming constructs, interfaces, assertions and DPI interfaces etc.
Test bench can easily be built so it leads to increase productivity.
It provides greater flexibility and control over the design and verification process.
For example, the constrained randomization feature allows for more complete testing, while the coverage model enables engineers to measure the completeness of their verification efforts.
- It enhances reusability and allows the reuse of existing code, so it leads to faster design cycles and improved efficiency
- It has Improved Debugging.
What are the dis-advantage of System Verilog?
Although System Verilog has many advantages, there are also some potential disadvantages to consider, including:
- System Verilog’s advanced features can make it more challenging to learn, so it requires more to become more efficient in the language.
- Some EDA tools may not fully support all of the advanced features of System Verilog.
- It adds complexity to the verification process.
It’s worth noting that many of these disadvantages can be reduced by proper training, tool selection, and design methodology.