Introduction

The aim of this document is to explain how to simulate a design dedicated to NanoXplore targets under Questa/Modelsim tools.

The needed minimum version is modelsim Modelsim 10.6d

Design simulation

Simulation

The user design may include NX primitives with files calling nxpackage as follow in a VHDL file:

...

There is one file per variant so for instance, the file to compile is stored in each release in the following path:

nxmapimpulse-<version_number>/share/modelsim/nxLibrary-<variant_name>.vhdp

For instance, for NG-MEDIUM or NG-MEDIUM-EMBEDDED target, with nxmap 22.1.0.1 release, the path is:

nxmapimpulse-dbg-2223.13.0.12/share/modelsim/nxLibrary-Medium.vhdp

Hereafter an example of TCL script to compile and simulate a design:

#Compile nx file
vlib nx
vcom -work nx -2008 nxmapimpulse-dbg-2223.13.0.12/share/modelsim/nxLibrary-Medium.vhdp
#Compile design file
vlib work
vcom -work work -2008 sub_module1.vhd
vcom -work work -2008 sub_module2.vhd
vcom -work work -2008 top.vhd
#Compile testbench
vcom -work work -2008 tb_top.vhd
#Simulate
vsim -t 1ps -lib work work.tb_top

Netlist simulation

It can be useful to simulate a design with the output netlist generated after synthesis. Indeed, it give the ability to check NXmap synthesis tool mapped correctly the design into a flattened design containing only NX primitives even after optimizations.

Netlist generation

The netlist must be generated using NXmap tool in the NXmap flow as follows:

...

For instance, the netlist can be generated after the final routing step like the following example:

from nxmapnxpython import *

#Project creation
p=createProject('')
p.setVariantName("NG-MEDIUM")
p.setTopCellName("work", "top")
p.addFile('work','sub_module1.vhd')
p.addFile('work','sub_module2.vhd')
p.addFile('work','top.vhd.vhd')
#Project steps
p.synthesize()
p.place()
p.route()
p.save('top_routed.vhd')

Simulation

Then, in the simulation script, netlist must be compiled instead of all design files as follows:

#Compile nx file
vlib nx
vcom -work nx -2008 nxmapimpulse-dbg-2223.13.0.12/share/modelsim/nxLibrary-Medium.vhdp
#Compile design file
vlib work
vcom -work work -2008 top_routed.vhd
#Compile testbench
vcom -work work -2008 tb_top.vhd
#Simulate
vsim -t 1ps -lib work work.tb_top

Backannoted simulation

Backannoted simulation is a simulation with the output netlist but taking account of timing delays between and inside NX primitives.

It can be useful in order to detect a timing violation in the design and it its consequence.

Netlist and SDF generation

In addition of the netlist, a Standard Delay Format (SDF) output file must be generated using NXmap tool in the NXmap Impulse flow as follows:

p.save('<file_name>.sdf','<conditions>)

...

For instance, the netlist can be generated after the final routing step like the following example:

from nxmapnxpython import *

#Project creation
p=createProject('')
p.setVariantName("NG-MEDIUM")
p.setTopCellName("work", "top")
p.addFile('work','sub_module1.vhd')
p.addFile('work','sub_module2.vhd')
p.addFile('work','top.vhd.vhd')
#Project steps
p.synthesize()
p.place()
p.route()
p.save('top_routed.vhd')
p.save('top_routed.sdf','worstcase')

A SDF file described describes each path with a minimum, a maximum and an optional typical delay time.

Simulation

Instead of the modelsim file, the backannoted file must be compileCompiling an SDF file is necessary in order to proceed to a backannoted simulation.

There is one file per variant so for instance, the file to compile is stored in each release in the following path:

nxmapimpulse-<version_number>/share/modelsim/nxLibrary-<variant_name>.vhdp

For instance, for NG-MEDIUM or and NG-MEDIUM-EMBEDDED target, with nxmap 22Impulse 23.13.0.1 2 release, the path is:

nxmapimpulse-dbg-2223.13.0.12/share/backannoted/nxLibrary-Medium.vhdp

Then, in the simulation script, netlist must be compiled instead of all design files and SDF option added linking the top instance in the simulation command as follows:

#Compile nx file
vlib nx
vcom -work nx -2008 nxmapimpulse-dbg-2223.13.0.12/share/backannoted/nxLibrary-Medium.vhdp
#Compile design file
vlib work
vcom -work work -2008 top_routed.vhd
#Compile testbench
vcom -work work -2008 tb_top.vhd
#Simulate
vsim +nowarn8888 -t 1ps -lib work work.tb_top -sdfmax sim/:tb_top:i_top_0=top_routed.sdf