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Modelsim User Guide

Brief Tutorial of ModelSIm

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468 views

Modelsim User Guide

Brief Tutorial of ModelSIm

Uploaded by

willtuna

Available Formats

Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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ModelSim Users Manual

Software Version 10.4a

1991-2015 Mentor Graphics Corporation

All rights reserved.
This document contains information that is proprietary to Mentor Graphics Corporation. The original recipient of this
document may duplicate this document in whole or in part for internal business purposes only, provided that this entire
notice appears in all copies. In duplicating any part of this document, the recipient agrees to make every reasonable
effort to prevent the unauthorized use and distribution of the proprietary information.

This document is for information and instruction purposes. Mentor Graphics reserves the right to make
changes in specifications and other information contained in this publication without prior notice, and the
reader should, in all cases, consult Mentor Graphics to determine whether any changes have been
made.
The terms and conditions governing the sale and licensing of Mentor Graphics products are set forth in
written agreements between Mentor Graphics and its customers. No representation or other affirmation
of fact contained in this publication shall be deemed to be a warranty or give rise to any liability of Mentor
Graphics whatsoever.
MENTOR GRAPHICS MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD TO THIS MATERIAL
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
MENTOR GRAPHICS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS)
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS PUBLICATION OR THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN IT,
EVEN IF MENTOR GRAPHICS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
U.S. GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS: The software and documentation were developed entirely at
private expense and are commercial computer software and commercial computer software
documentation within the meaning of the applicable acquisition regulations. Accordingly, pursuant to
FAR 48 CFR 12.212 and DFARS 48 CFR 227.7202, use, duplication and disclosure by or for the U.S.
Government or a U.S. Government subcontractor is subject solely to the terms and conditions set forth
in the license agreement provided with the software, except for provisions which are contrary to
applicable mandatory federal laws.
TRADEMARKS: The trademarks, logos and service marks ("Marks") used herein are the property of
Mentor Graphics Corporation or other parties. No one is permitted to use these Marks without the prior
written consent of Mentor Graphics or the owner of the Mark, as applicable. The use herein of a thirdparty Mark is not an attempt to indicate Mentor Graphics as a source of a product, but is intended to
indicate a product from, or associated with, a particular third party. A current list of Mentor Graphics
trademarks may be viewed at: www.mentor.com/trademarks.
The registered trademark Linux is used pursuant to a sublicense from LMI, the exclusive licensee of
Linus Torvalds, owner of the mark on a world-wide basis.
Mentor Graphics Corporation
8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777
Telephone: 503.685.7000
Toll-Free Telephone: 800.592.2210
Website: www.mentor.com
SupportNet: supportnet.mentor.com/
Send Feedback on Documentation: supportnet.mentor.com/doc_feedback_form

Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operational Structure and Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Simulation Task Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Basic Steps for Simulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Files and Map Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Step 1 Create Work and Resource Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Step 2 Compile the Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Step 3 Load the Design for Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Step 4 Simulate the Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Step 5 Debug the Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Modes of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Command Line Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Batch Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Default stdout Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tool Statistics Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controlling the Display of Statistics Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Definition of an Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Standards Supported . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Assumptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Text Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation Directory Pathnames. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deprecated Features, Commands, and Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

27
27
28
29
30
31
33
34
35
36
36
38
40
43
43
44
45
46
47
47
48
48

Chapter 2
Protecting Your Source Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Encryption Envelopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Creating Encryption Envelopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Protection Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The `include Compiler Directive (Verilog only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compiling with +protect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Runtime Encryption Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Language-Specific Usage Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Usage Models for Protecting Verilog Source Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Usage Models for Protecting VHDL Source Code. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proprietary Source Code Encryption Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using Proprietary Compiler Directives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Protecting Source Code Using -nodebug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Encryption Reference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Encryption and Encoding Methods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How Encryption Envelopes Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using Public Encryption Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

51
51
52
55
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59
61
61
62
67
75
75
77
78
78
80
80

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Table of Contents

Using the Mentor Graphics Public Encryption Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 3
Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
What are Projects? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
What are the Benefits of Projects? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Project Conversion Between Simulator Versions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Getting Started with Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Open a New Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Add Source Files to the Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Compile the Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Change Compile Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Auto-Generate the Compile Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Grouping Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Simulate a Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
The Project Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Creating a Simulation Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Organizing Projects with Folders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Adding a Project Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Set File Properties and Project Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
File Compilation Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Project Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Setting Custom Double-click Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Access Projects from the Command Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Chapter 4
Design Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Design Library Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Design Unit Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Working Library Versus Resource Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Working with Design Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Creating a Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Library Size. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Library Window Contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Map a Logical Name to a Design Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Move a Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Setting Up Libraries for Group Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Verilog Resource Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Library Search Rules and the vlog Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Handling Sub-Modules with the Same Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The LibrarySearchPath Variable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VHDL Resource Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Predefined Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alternate IEEE Libraries Supplied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Regenerating Your Design Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Importing FPGA Libraries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Protect Source Code. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

103
103
103
103
104
104
105
106
107
109
109
109
110
110
111
112
112
113
113
114
115

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Table of Contents

Chapter 5
VHDL Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Basic VHDL Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compilation and Simulation of VHDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Creating a Design Library for VHDL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compilation of a VHDL Designthe vcom Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Simulation of a VHDL Designthe vsim Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Usage Characteristics and Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Differences Between Supported Versions of the VHDL Standard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Naming Behavior of VHDL for Generate Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Simulator Resolution Limit for VHDL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Default Binding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Delta Delays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The TextIO Package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Syntax for File Declaration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
STD_INPUT and STD_OUTPUT Within ModelSim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TextIO Implementation Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alternative Input/Output Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The TEXTIO Buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Input Stimulus to a Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VITAL Usage and Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VITAL Source Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VITAL 1995 and 2000 Packages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VITAL Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compiling and Simulating with Accelerated VITAL Packages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VHDL Utilities Package (util) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Modeling Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Examples of Different Memory Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effects on Performance by Cancelling Scheduled Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VHDL Access Object Debugging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Terminology and Naming Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VHDL Access Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Default BehaviorLogging and Debugging Disabled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Logging and Debugging Enabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The examine and describe Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

117
117
117
118
118
122
123
124
127
128
128
130
132
133
134
134
136
137
137
137
137
137
138
138
139
142
143
152
152
153
154
155
155
156
157

Chapter 6
Verilog and SystemVerilog Simulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Standards, Nomenclature, and Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supported Variations in Source Code. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
for Loops. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Naming Macros with Integers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Basic Verilog Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Verilog Compilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Initializing enum Variables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Incremental Compilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Library Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

161
161
162
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SystemVerilog Multi-File Compilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 10
Source Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Opening Source Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing File Permissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Updates to Externally Edited Source Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Navigating Through Your Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Data and Objects in the Source Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Object Values and Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Setting Simulation Time in the Source Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Search for Source Code Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Debugging and Textual Connectivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hyperlinked Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Highlighted Text in the Source Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drag Objects Into Other Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Breakpoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Setting Individual Breakpoints in a Source File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Setting Breakpoints with the bp Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Editing Breakpoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Saving and Restoring Breakpoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Setting Conditional Breakpoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Run Until Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Source Window Bookmarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Setting and Removing Bookmarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Source Window Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

353
353
353
354
354
355
355
356
357
359
359
360
360
361
361
361
362
364
365
367
368
368
369

Chapter 11
Signal Spy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Signal Spy Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Signal Spy Formatting Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Signal Spy Supported Types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Signal Spy Reference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
disable_signal_spy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
enable_signal_spy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
init_signal_driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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init_signal_spy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
signal_force. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
signal_release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Chapter 12
Generating Stimulus with Waveform Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Getting Started with the Waveform Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using Waveform Editor Prior to Loading a Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using Waveform Editor After Loading a Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accessing the Create Pattern Wizard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Creating Waveforms with Wave Create Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Editing Waveforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selecting Parts of the Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selection and Zoom Percentage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auto Snapping of the Cursor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stretching and Moving Edges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Simulating Directly from Waveform Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exporting Waveforms to a Stimulus File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving Simulation with the Saved Stimulus File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Signal Mapping and Importing EVCD Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Saving the Waveform Editor Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

393
394
394
395
396
397
397
399
400
400
401
401
401
403
403
404

Chapter 13
Standard Delay Format (SDF) Timing Annotation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifying SDF Files for Simulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instance Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SDF Specification with the GUI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Errors and Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VHDL VITAL SDF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SDF to VHDL Generic Matching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Verilog SDF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$sdf_annotate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SDF to Verilog Construct Matching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SDF for Mixed VHDL and Verilog Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interconnect Delays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disabling Timing Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifying the Wrong Instance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Matching a Single Timing Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mistaking a Component or Module Name for an Instance Label. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forgetting to Specify the Instance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reporting Unannotated Specify Path Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

405
405
405
406
406
407
407
408
409
410
417
417
417
418
418
419
419
419
420

Chapter 14
Value Change Dump (VCD) Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Creating a VCD File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Four-State VCD File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Extended VCD File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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VCD Case Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Using Extended VCD as Stimulus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Simulating with Input Values from a VCD File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing Instances with Output Values from a VCD File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Port Order Issues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VCD Commands and VCD Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using VCD Commands with SystemC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compressing Files with VCD Tasks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VCD File from Source to Output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VHDL Source Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VCD Simulator Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VCD to WLF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capturing Port Driver Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Resolving Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Default Behavior. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When force Command is Used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Extended Data Type for VHDL (vl_logic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignoring Strength Ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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425
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427
428
429
430
430
430
431
433
433
435
435
435
436
436

Table of Contents

UVMControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
verilog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Veriuser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VHDL93 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VhdlSeparatePduPackage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VhdlVariableLogging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
vital2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
vlog95compat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WarnConstantChange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WaveSignalNameWidth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WildcardFilter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WildcardSizeThreshold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WildcardSizeThresholdVerbose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WLFCacheSize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WLFCollapseMode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WLFCompress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WLFDeleteOnQuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WLFFileLock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WLFFilename . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WLFOptimize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WLFSaveAllRegions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WLFSimCacheSize. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WLFSizeLimit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WLFTimeLimit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WLFUpdateInterval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WLFUseThreads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commonly Used modelsim.ini Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Common Environment Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hierarchical Library Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Creating a Transcript File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using a Startup File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Off Assertion Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Off Warnings from Arithmetic Packages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Force Command Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restart Command Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VHDL Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Delay Opening VHDL Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

605
606
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
631
631
632
632
633
633
633
634
634
634
635

Appendix B
Location Mapping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Referencing Source Files with Location Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using Location Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pathname Syntax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How Location Mapping Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Table of Contents

Appendix C
Error and Warning Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Message System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Message Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Getting More Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Message Severity Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Syntax Error Debug Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suppression of Warning Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exit Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Miscellaneous Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Enforcing Strict 1076 Compliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

639
639
639
640
640
640
641
643
644
648

Appendix D
Verilog Interfaces to C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Implementation Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GCC Compiler Support for use with C Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Registering PLI Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Registering VPI Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Registering DPI Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DPI Use Flow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DPI and the vlog Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deprecated Legacy DPI Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When Your DPI Export Function is Not Getting Called . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Troubleshooting a Missing DPI Import Function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Simplified Import of Library Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Optimizing DPI Import Call Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Making Verilog Function Calls from non-DPI C Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Calling C/C++ Functions Defined in PLI Shared Objects from DPI Code . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compiling and Linking C Applications for Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windows Platforms C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compiling and Linking C++ Applications for Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For PLI/VPI only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windows Platforms C++ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifying Application Files to Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PLI and VPI File Loading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DPI File Loading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading Shared Objects with Global Symbol Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PLI Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VPI Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DPI Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The PLI Callback reason Argument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The sizetf Callback Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PLI Object Handles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third Party PLI Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Support for VHDL Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IEEE Std 1364 ACC Routines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IEEE Std 1364 TF Routines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SystemVerilog DPI Access Routines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

651
651
653
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656
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ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Table of Contents

Verilog-XL Compatible Routines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

64-bit Support for PLI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PLI/VPI Tracing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Purpose of Tracing Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Invoking a Trace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Debugging Interface Application Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

678
678
678
679
679
680

Appendix E
System Initialization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Files Accessed During Startup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Initialization Sequence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Environment Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expansion of Environment Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Setting Environment Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Creating Environment Variables in Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Library Mapping with Environment Variables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Node-Locked License File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Referencing Environment Variables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Removal of Temporary Files (VSOUT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

683
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684
686
686
687
692
693
693
694
694

Index
Third-Party Information
End-User License Agreement

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

List of Examples
Example 2-1. Encryption Envelope Contains Design Data to be Protected . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Example 2-2. Encryption Envelope Contains `include Compiler Directives . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Example 2-3. Results After Compiling with vlog +protect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Example 2-4. Using the Mentor Graphics Public Encryption Key in Verilog/SystemVerilog 82
Example 5-1. Memory Model Using VHDL87 and VHDL93 Architectures . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Example 5-2. Conversions Package. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Example 5-3. Memory Model Using VHDL02 Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Example 6-1. Incremental Compilation Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Example 6-2. Sub-Modules with Common Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Example 6-3. Delay Mode Directives in a Verilog Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Example 14-1. VCD Output from vcd dumpports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438
Example D-1. VPI Application Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 655
Example E-1. Node-Locked License Limit Error Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 693

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

List of Figures
Figure 1-1. Operational Structure and Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 1-2. Work Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 1-3. Compiled Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 2-1. Create an Encryption Envelope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 2-2. Verilog/SystemVerilog Encryption Usage Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 2-3. Delivering IP Code with User-Defined Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 2-4. Delivering IP with `protect Compiler Directives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-1. Create Project Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-2. Project Window Detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-3. Add items to the Project Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-4. Create Project File Dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-5. Add file to Project Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-6. Right-click Compile Menu in Project Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-7. Click Plus Sign to Show Design Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-8. Setting Compile Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-9. Grouping Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-10. Add Simulation Configuration Dialog Box Design Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-11. Structure WIndow with Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-12. Project Window Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-13. Add Simulation Configuration Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-14. Simulation Configuration in the Project Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-15. Add Folder Dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-16. Specifying a Project Folder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-17. Project Compiler Settings Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-18. Specifying File Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-19. Project Settings Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 4-1. Creating a New Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 4-2. Design Unit Information in the Workspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 4-3. Edit Library Mapping Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 4-4. Sub-Modules with the Same Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 4-5. Import Library Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 5-1. VHDL Delta Delay Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 6-1. Fatal Signal Segmentation Violation (SIGSEGV) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 6-2. Current Process Where Error Occurred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 6-3. Blue Arrow Indicating Where Code Stopped Executing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 6-4. Null Values in the Locals Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 6-5. Classes in the Class Tree Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 6-6. Class in the Class Graph Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 6-7. Classes in the Structure Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 6-8. The Class Instances Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

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19

List of Figures

Figure 6-9. Placing Class Instances in the Wave Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Figure 6-10. Class Information Popup in the Wave Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 6-11. Class Viewing in the Watch Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 6-12. Class Path Expressions in the Wave Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 6-13. /top/a Cast as c1 and c1prime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 6-14. Casting c1 to c1prime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 6-15. Extensions for a Class Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 6-16. Garbage Collector Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 7-1. Displaying Two Datasets in the Wave Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 7-2. Dataset Snapshot Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 7-3. Open Dataset Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 7-4. Structure Tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 7-5. The Dataset Browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 7-6. Virtual Objects Indicated by Orange Diamond. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-1. The Wave Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-2. Insertion Point Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-3. Grid and Timeline Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-4. Find Previous and Next Transition Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-5. Original Names of Wave Window Cursors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-6. Sync All Active Cursors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-7. Cursor Linking Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-8. Configure Cursor Links Dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-9. Waveform Pane with Collapsed Event and Delta Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-10. Waveform Pane with Expanded Time at a Specific Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-11. Waveform Pane with Event Not Logged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-12. Waveform Pane with Expanded Time Over a Time Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-13. Bookmark Properties Dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-14. Wave Signal Search Dialog Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-15. Expression Builder Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-16. Selecting Signals for Expression Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-17. Display Tab of the Wave Window Preferences Dialog Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-18. Grid and Timeline Tab of Wave Window Preferences Dialog Box . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-19. Clock Cycles in Timeline of Wave Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-20. Wave Format Menu Selections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-21. Format Tab of Wave Properties Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-22. Changing Signal Radix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-23. Global Signal Radix Dialog in Wave Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-24. Separate Signals with Wave Window Dividers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-25. Splitting Wave Window Panes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-26. Wave Groups Denoted by Red Diamond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-27. Contributing Signals Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-28. Save Format Dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-29. Waveform Save Between Cursors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-30. Wave Filter Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 8-31. Wave Filter Dataset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

446
447
448
449
449
450
457
461
462
464
464
531
639
643
652
667
673
675
677
679
683
693

List of Tables

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Chapter 1
Introduction
Documentation for ModelSim is intended for users of Linux and Microsoft Windows.
Not all versions of ModelSim are supported on all platforms. For more information on your
platform or operating system, contact your Mentor Graphics sales representative.

Operational Structure and Flow

The following graphic illustrates the structure and general usage flow for verifying a design
with ModelSim.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Simulation Task Overview

Figure 1-1. Operational Structure and Flow

VHDL
Design
Libraries

vlib

Vendor

vmap

Design
files

vlog/
vcom

Libraries

.ini or
.mpf file

Map libraries
local work
library

Verilog/VHDL
Analyze/
Compile

Analyze/
Compile

compiled
database

vsim

Simulate

Interactive Debugging
activities

Debug

Simulation Output
(for example, vcd)

Post-processing Debug

Simulation Task Overview

The following table provides a reference for the tasks required for compiling, loading, and
simulating a design in ModelSim.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Basic Steps for Simulation

Table 1-1. Simulation Tasks ModelSim

Task

Example Command Line

Entry

Step 1:
Map libraries

vlib <library_name>
a. File > New > Project
vmap work <library_name> b. Enter library name
c. Add design files to
project

Step 2:
Compile the
design

vlog file1.v file2.v ...

(Verilog)
vcom file1.vhd file2.vhd ...
(VHDL)

vsim <top>
Step 3:
Load the
design into the
simulator

GUI Menu Pull-down

GUI Icons
N/A

a. Compile > Compile

or
Compile > Compile All

Compile or
Compile All

a. Simulate > Start

Simulation
b. Click on top design
module
c. Click OK
This action loads the
design for simulation

Simulate icon:

Step 4:
Run the
simulation

run
step

Simulate > Run

Run, or
Run continue, or
Run -all

Step 5:
Debug the
design

Common debugging
commands:
bp
describe
drivers
examine
force
log
show

N/A

Basic Steps for Simulation

This section describes the types of files and basic procedures needed to simulate your design
using ModelSim.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Basic Steps for Simulation

Files and Map Libraries

You need several files to simulate your design with ModelSim.

design files (VHDL and/or Verilog), including stimulus for the design.
libraries, both working and resource.
modelsim.ini file (automatically created by the library mapping command).

For detailed information about the files accessed during system startup (including the
modelsim.ini file), initialization sequences, and system environment variables, refer to the
System Initialization appendix.

What is a Library?
A library is a location on your file system where ModelSim stores data to be used for
simulation. ModelSim uses one or more libraries to manage the creation of data before the data
is needed for simulation. A library also helps to streamline simulation invocation.
You can use libraries in the following ways.

As a local working library that contains the compiled version of your design
As a resource library

Resource Libraries
A resource library is typically unchanging, and serves as a parts source for your design. You can
create your own resource libraries, or they may be supplied by another design team or a third
party (for example, a silicon vendor).
Examples of resource libraries:

Shared information within your group

Vendor libraries
Packages
Previously compiled elements of your own working design

Instead of compiling all design data each time you simulate, ModelSim makes use of precompiled resource libraries supplied in the installation tree. Using the pre-compiled libraries
helps to minimize errors during compilation and simulation startup. Also, if you make changes
to a single Verilog module, ModelSim recompiles only that module, rather than all modules in
the design.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Basic Steps for Simulation

Related Topics
Working Library Versus Resource Libraries
Library Window Contents
Working with Design Libraries
Verilog Resource Libraries
VHDL Resource Libraries
Creating a Library

Mapping the Logical Work to the Physical Work Directory

VHDL uses logical library names that can be mapped to ModelSim library directories. If
libraries are not mapped properly, and you invoke your simulation, necessary components will
not be loaded and simulation will fail. Similarly, compilation can also depend on proper library
mapping.
By default, ModelSim can find libraries in your current directory (assuming they have the right
name), but for it to find libraries located elsewhere, you need to map a logical library name to
the pathname of the library.

Step 1 Create Work and Resource Libraries

Before you can compile your source files, you must create a working library with the vlib
command in which to store the compilation results. The contents of your working library will
change as you update your design and recompile.
Vlib creates a "flat" library type by default. Flat libraries condense library information into a
small collection of files compared to the legacy library type. This remedies performance and
capacity issues seen with very large libraries.

Restrictions and Limitations

The vmake command does not support the flat library type, flows requiring the vmake
command can revert to the legacy library type when you do any of the following:

Specify "-type directory" in the vlib command.

Set the DefaultLibType variable in your modelsim.ini file to the value 0.
Set the shell environment variable MTI_DEFAULT_LIB_TYPE to the value 0.

Use braces ({}) for cases where the path contains multiple items that need to be escaped, such as
spaces in the pathname or backslash characters. For example:
vmap celllib {$LIB_INSTALL_PATH/Documents And Settings/All/celllib}

Prerequisites

Know the paths to the directories that contain your design files and resource libraries.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Basic Steps for Simulation

Start ModelSim

Procedure
1. Select File > Change Directory to open the Browse For Folder dialog box.
2. Navigate to the directory where your source files are located.
3. Create the Logical Work Library with the vlib command in one of the following ways:

Enter the vlib command in the a UNIX shell or the Transcript window:
vlib work

File > New > Library from the main menu.

4. Map one or more user provided libraries between a logical library name and a directory
with the vmap command:
vmap <logical_name> <directory_pathname>

Results
Creates a library named work, places it in the current directory and displays the work library in
the Structure window (Figure 1-2).
Figure 1-2. Work Library

Related Topics
The Library Named "work"
Working Library Versus Resource Libraries
Working with Design Libraries
Map a Logical Name to a Design Library

Map a Logical Name to a Design Library

Getting Started with Projects
Creating a Library

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Basic Steps for Simulation

Step 2 Compile the Design

After you have collected the design files and created the working directory, you compile the
design. You must choose the appropriate compiler command based on the programming
language used to writed the design code.

Verilog and SystemVerilog compile with the vlog command.

VHDL compile with the vcom command.

Prerequisites

Create the work library and map required resource libraries to the work library. Refer to
Step 1 Create Work and Resource Libraries for more information.

Procedure
Depending on the language used to create your design, you will use one of the following
ModelSim commands to compile the design:
If your source files
are written in

Enter the following in the Transcript window

Verilog and/or
SystemVerilog

You can compile Verilog files in any order, since they are
not order dependent. For example:
vlog gates.v and2.v cache.v memory.v

VHDL

VHDL units are compiled in the order they appear on the

command line. For VHDL, the order of compilation is
important you must compile any entities or
configurations before an architecture that references them.
Projects may assist you in determining the compile order.
For example:
vcom v_and2.vhd util.vhd set.vhd

Results
By default, compilation results are stored in the work library. (Figure 1-3)

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Basic Steps for Simulation

Figure 1-3. Compiled Design

Related Topics
Verilog Compilation
Compilation and Simulation of VHDL
Auto-Generate the Compile Order

Step 3 Load the Design for Simulation

After compiling the design, you need to load the design with the vsim command using the
names of any top-level modules (many designs contain only one top-level module). For
example, if your top-level modules are named testbench and globals, then invoke the
simulator.
vsim testbench globals

Prerequisites

Create the work library and map required resource libraries to the work library. Refer to
Step 1 Create Work and Resource Libraries for more information.

Compile the design. Refer to Step 2 Compile the Design.

Procedure
Enter the following command on the command line:
vsim testbench globals

where testbench and globals are the two top level modules.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Basic Steps for Simulation

Results
After the simulator loads the top-level modules, it iteratively loads the instantiated modules and
UDPs in the design hierarchy, linking the design together by connecting the ports and resolving
hierarchical references.
Note
You can incorporate actual delay values to the simulation by applying standard delay
format (SDF) back-annotation files to the design.

Related Topics
Specifying SDF Files for Simulation

Step 4 Simulate the Design

Once you have successfully loaded the design, simulation time is set to zero, and you must enter
a run command to begin simulation.
The basic commands you use to run a simulation are:

add wave
bp
force
run
step

Add Stimulus to the Design

You can add stimulus to your design in several ways.

Language-based test bench.

Tcl-based ModelSim interactive commands. For example, force and bp.
VCD files / commands.
Refer to Creating a VCD File and Using Extended VCD as Stimulus.

Third-party test bench generation tools.

Related Topics
Verilog and SystemVerilog Simulation
VHDL Simulation

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Modes of Operation

Step 5 Debug the Design

The ModelSim GUI provides numerous commands, operations, and windows useful in
debugging your design. In addition, you can also use the command line to run the following
basic simulation commands for debugging.

describe
drivers
examine
force
log
show

Modes of Operation
The ModelSim Users Manual focuses primarily on the Graphical User Interface (GUI) mode of
operation interacting with your simulation by working in the ModelSim desktop with
windows, menus, and dialog boxes. However, ModelSim also has a Command Line Mode and
Batch Mode for compiling and simulating a design.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Modes of Operation

The following table provides short descriptions of the three modes.

Table 1-2. Use Modes for ModelSim
Mode

ModelSim is invoked:

Characteristics

windows, push-buttons,
menus. Stderr is redirected
to the GUI Transcript
window.

Recommended
For
Viewing
waveforms and
graphically
based
debugging.

Command with the vsim -c argument

Non-interactive, no GUI.
DO file based
at the OS command or shell
Line
simulations
prompt
Mode
Supports all commands that
Example:
are not GUI based. 1
Executing
OS> vsim -c
commands from
a prompt
Batch
Mode

at OS command or shell
prompt
Example:
OS> vsim -batch

Non-interactive batch
script; no windows or
interactive command line.
Most commands and
command options are
supported. 1

Large, highperformance
simulations

1. Refer to the Supported Commands table in the Command Reference Manual to see which
commands are supported for use with vsim -c and vsim -batch.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Modes of Operation

Command Line Mode

Command line simulations are executed from a Windows or UNIX command prompt and can
be either interactive or non-interactive. For the most part, command line simulations operate in
non-interactive mode, for example, when a DO file is being processed or a stdin redirect is
present. Otherwise, the simulator operates in interactive mode, for example, when a DO file
script requires input from the user to continue execution.
Note
You can use the CTRL-C keyboard interrupt to terminate batch simulation in both the
UNIX and Windows environments.

Startup Variable Flow

In command line mode ModelSim executes any startup command specified by the Startup
variable in the modelsim.ini file. If vsim is invoked with the -do "command_string" option, a
DO file is called. A DO file executed in this manner will override any startup command in the
modelsim.ini file.
Stand-alone tools pick up project settings in command-line mode if you invoke them in the
project's root directory. If invoked outside the project directory, stand-alone tools pick up
project settings only if you set the MODELSIM environment variable to the path to the project
file (<Project_Root_Dir>/<Project_Name>.mpf).

Related Topics
Startup modelsim.ini Variable
vsim

Here-Document Flow
You can use the here-document technique to enter a string of commands in a UNIX shell or
Windows command window. You invoke vsim and redirect standard input using the
exclamation character (!) to initiate and terminate a sequence of commands.
The following is an example of the "here-document" technique:
vsim top <<!
log -r *
run 100
do test.do
quit -f
!

The file test.do can run until completion or contain commands that return control of the
simulation to the command line and wait for user input. You can also use this technique to run
multiple simulations.

You can specify output redirection in Batch Mode with scripts. In the following example, the
-batch argument to vsim is included which prevents the GUI from opening.
vsim -batch counter -do "run -all; quit -f" > outfile

where outfile represents a script containing various ModelSim commands, and the angle
bracket (>) is the output redirection indicator.

Capturing Raw stdout in C/C++ Batch Mode Simulation

Raw stdout from user C/C++ code is not captured in the batch transcript file (logfile) when
running with vsim -batch. API-based stdout from user C/C++ code (generated by API calls such
as vpi_printf() or mti_PrintFormatted()) will appear in the batch transcript file.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Modes of Operation

Procedure
In order to capture raw stdout, capture stdout using standard redirection mechanisms. On Linux,
a sample command that does this would be as follows:
vsim -batch top -do "run -all; quit -f" > vsim.log

Simulator Control Variables

As with GUI Mode and Command Line Mode, simulator control for Batch Mode simulation is
governed by which modelsim.ini variables are enabled and each variables setting.
AccessObjDebug

IgnoreSVAError

StdArithNoWarnings

BreakOnAssertion

IgnoreSVAFatal

UserTimeUnit

CheckpointCompressMode

IgnoreSVAInfo

PrintSimStats

ClassDebug

IgnoreSVAWarning

WildcardFilter

DefaultForceKind

IgnoreWarning

WLFCompress

DefaultRadix

IterationLimit

WLFFilename

DelayFileOpen

NoQuitOnFinish

WLFMCL

ForceSigNextIter

NumericStdNoWarnings

WLFOptimize

GCThreshold

OnBreakDefaultAction

WLFSizeLimit

IgnoreError

OnErrorDefaultAction

WLFTimeLimit

IgnoreFailure

PathSeparator

WLFUseThreads

IgnoreNote

RunLength

In addition, simulator behavior is controlled by a number of Tcl variables. Refer to the table
below for the list of default Tcl variables.
now

library

architecture

delta

entity

resolution

Related Topics
For more information about setting simulator
variables, refer to the modelsim.ini Variables
appendix.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Default stdout Messages

Default stdout Messages

By default, the simulator sends information about the simulator, commands executed, start time,
end time, warnings, errors, and other data to stdout.

Tool Statistics Messages

Each time you enter a command, data is printed out and sent to the Transcript window and/or a
logfile.
The data is displayed with the following format:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#

9
10
11
12
13
14

#
#
#
#
#
#

vsim topopt -c -do "run -all; quit -f" -warning 3053

Start time: 18:06:45 on May 13,2014
// Questa Sim-64
// Version 10.3b linux_x86_64 May 12 2014
Loading sv_std.std
Loading work.top(fast)
Loading work.pads(fast)
** Warning: (vsim-3053) test.sv(2): Illegal output or inout port
connection for "port 'AVSS'".
Region: /top/pads
run -all
0: Z=1, AVSS=0
quit -f
End time: 18:06:45 on May 13,2014, Elapsed time: 0:00:00
Errors: 0, Warnings: 1

Line 1 The command with arguments.

Line 2 The Start time and date the command was executed.
Line 3 The mti_version

Line 4 Release information:

Number and letter release
Executable Type For example, compiler (vlog, vcom). However this information
is not sent to the transcript for the vsim command.
OS version
Build date

Lines 5 through 12 Logged messages.

Line 16 The end time, date the command finished, and elapsed time.
Line 17 The total number of errors and warnings in the following format:

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Default stdout Messages

Errors: [number], Warnings [number], Suppressed Errors: [number], Suppressed

Warnings: [number]. For zero suppressed errors and warnings, the corresponding count
message is not displayed.

Controlling the Display of Statistics Messages

All of the above statistics are printed by default. However, you can use the Stats modelsim.ini
variable or the -stats argument to a number of commands to display or suppress each type of
statistical data. The following tables describe the types of data that can be displayed.
Table 1-3. Message Statistics Types
Option

Description

all

Display all statistics features (cmd, msg, perf, time). Mutually

exclusive with the none option. When specified in a string with
other options, +|-all is applied first.

cmd

(default) Echo the command line.

msg

(default) Display error and warning summary at the end of

command execution.

none

Disable all statistics features. Mutually exclusive with all option.

When specified in a string with other options, +|-none is applied
first.

perf

Display time and memory performance statistics.

time

(default) Display Start, End, and Elapsed times.

.
Table 1-4. Message Mode Types
Option

Description

Print memory statistics in Kb units with no auto-scaling.

list

Display performance statistics in a Tcl list format when available.

verbose

Display verbose performance statistics information when

available.

Modes can be set for a specific feature or globally for all features. To add or subtract a mode for
a specific feature, specify using the plus (+) or minus (-) character with the feature, for example,
vsim -stats=cmd+verbose,perf+list. To add or subtract a mode globally for all features, specify
the modes in a comma-separated list, for example, Stats=time,perf,list,-verbose. You cannot
specify global and feature specific modes together.
Refer to the Stats variable description for more information.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Definition of an Object

Message Control with the Stats Variable

You can set default message display and mode with the Stats modelsim.ini variable for vcom,
vlog, and vsim.
Refer to the Stats variable description for more information.

Message Control from the Command Line

You can also modify message type and mode from the command line by specifying the -stats
argument and message options with the following commands.
Table 1-5. Commands with Statistics Message Options
vcom

vencrypt

vhencrypt

vlog

vsim
For example,

Enable the display of Start, End, and Elapsed time as well as a message count summary.
Echoing of the command line is disabled
vcom -stats=time,-cmd,msg

The first -stats option is ignored. The none option disables all default settings and then
enables the perf option.
vlog -stats=time,cmd,msg -stats=none,perf

Note
Not all Message Statistics Types or Message Mode Types are available with each
command. Refer to the command description for more information.

Definition of an Object
Because ModelSim supports a variety of design languages (Verilog, VHDL, and
SystemVerilog), the word object is used to refer to any valid design element in those
languages, whenever a specific language reference is not needed.
Figure 1-6 summarizes the language constructs that an object can refer to.
Table 1-6. Possible Definitions of an Object, by Language
Design Language

An object can be

VHDL

block statement, component instantiation, constant,

generate statement, generic, package, signal, alias,
variable

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Standards Supported

Table 1-6. Possible Definitions of an Object, by Language (cont.)

Design Language

An object can be

Verilog

function, module instantiation, named fork, named

begin, net, task, register, variable

SystemVerilog

In addition to those listed above for Verilog:

class, package, program, interface, array, directive,
property, sequence

Standards Supported
Standards documents are sometimes informally referred to as the Language Reference Manual
(LRM). This standards listed here are the complete name of each manual. Elsewhere in this
manual the individual standards are referenced using the IEEE Std number.
The following standards are supported for the ModelSim products:

VHDL
o

IEEE Std 1076-2008, IEEE Standard VHDL Language Reference Manual.

ModelSim supports the VHDL 2008 standard features with a few exceptions. For
detailed standard support information see the vhdl2008 technote available at
<install_dir>/docs/technotes/vhdl2008.note, or from the GUI menu pull-down Help
> Technotes > vhdl2008.
Potential migration issues and mixing use of VHDL 2008 with older VHDL code are
addressed in the vhdl2008migration technote.

IEEE Std 1164-1993, Standard Multivalue Logic System for VHDL Model
Interoperability

IEEE Std 1076.2-1996, Standard VHDL Mathematical Packages

Any design developed with ModelSim will be compatible with any other VHDL system
that is compliant with the 1076 specifications.

Verilog/SystemVerilog
o

IEEE Std 1364-2005, IEEE Standard for Verilog Hardware Description Language

IEEE Std 1800-2012. IEEE Standard for SystemVerilog -- Unified Hardware

Design, Specification, and Verification Language

Both PLI (Programming Language Interface) and VCD (Value Change Dump) are
supported for ModelSim users.

SDF and VITAL

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Assumptions
o

SDF IEEE Std 1497-2001, IEEE Standard for Standard Delay Format (SDF) for
the Electronic Design Process

VITAL 2000 IEEE Std 1076.4-2000, IEEE Standard for VITAL ASIC Modeling
Specification

Assumptions
Using the ModelSim product and its documentation is based on the following assumptions.

You are familiar with how to use your operating system and its graphical interface.

You have worked through the appropriate lessons in the ModelSim Tutorial and are
familiar with the basic functionality of ModelSim. You can find the ModelSim Tutorial
by choosing Help from the main menu.

You have a working knowledge of the design languages. Although ModelSim is an

excellent application to use while learning HDL concepts and practices, this document is
not written to support that goal.

Text Conventions
The table below lists the text conventions used in this manual.
Table 1-7. Text Conventions
Text Type

Description

italic text

provides emphasis and sets off filenames,

pathnames, and design unit names

bold text

indicates commands, command options, menu

choices, package and library logical names, as
well as variables, dialog box selections, and
language keywords

monospace type

monospace type is used for program and

command examples

The right angle (>)

is used to connect menu choices when

traversing menus as in: File > Quit

UPPER CASE

denotes file types used by ModelSim (such as

DO, WLF, INI, MPF, PDF.)

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Installation Directory Pathnames

Installation Directory Pathnames

When referring to installation paths, this manual uses <installdir> as a generic representation
of the installation directory for all versions of ModelSim. The actual installation directory on
your system may contain version information.

Deprecated Features, Commands, and

Variables
This section provides tables of features, commands, command arguments, and modelsim.ini
variables that have been superseded by new versions. Although you can still use superseded
features, commands, arguments, or variables, Mentor Graphics deprecates their usageyou
should use the corresponding new version whenever possible or convenient.
The following tables indicate the in which the item was superseded and a link to the new item
that replaces it, where applicable.

Table 1-8. Deprecated Features

Feature

Version

New Feature / Information

Source Window Language

Template

10.3

No longer available.

Table 1-10. Deprecated Command Arguments

Argument

Version

New Argument / Information

vcover report -assertfailure

10.4

vcover report -assertion

Table 1-11. Deprecated modelsim.ini Variables

Variable

Version

New Variable / Information

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Introduction
Deprecated Features, Commands, and Variables

Table 1-12. Deprecated HDL Attributes

Variable

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Version Language New Variable / Information

Introduction
Deprecated Features, Commands, and Variables

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Chapter 2
Protecting Your Source Code
ModelSims encryption solution allows IP authors to deliver encrypted IP code for a wide range
of EDA tools and design flows. You can, for example, make module ports, parameters, and
specify blocks publicly visible while keeping the implementation private.
ModelSim supports VHDL, Verilog, and SystemVerilog IP code encryption by means of
protected encryption envelopes. VHDL encryption is defined by the IEEE Std 1076-2008,
section 24.1 (titled Protect tool directives) and Annex H, section H.3 (titled Digital
envelopes). Verilog/SystemVerilog encryption is defined by the IEEE Std 1364-2005, section
28 (titled Protected envelopes) and Annex H, section H.3 (titled Digital envelopes). The
protected envelopes usage model, as presented in Annex H section H.3 of both standards, is the
recommended methodology for users of VHDLs `protect and Verilog's `pragma protect
compiler directives. We recommend that you obtain these specifications for reference.
In addition, Questa supports the recommendations from the IEEE P1735 working group for
encryption interoperability between different encryption and decryption tools. The current
recommendations are denoted as version 1 by P1735. They address use model, algorithm
choices, conventions, and minor corrections to the HDL standards to achieve useful
interoperability.
ModelSim also supports encryption using the vcom/vlog -nodebug command.

Encryption Envelopes
Encryption envelopes define a region of textual design data or code to be protected with
protection expressions. The protection expressions specify the encryption algorithm used to
protect the source code, the encryption key owner, the key name, and envelope attributes.
The beginning and ending protection expressions for Verilog/SystemVerilog are `pragma
protect begin and `pragma protect end, respectively.
The beginning and ending protection expressions for VHDL are `protect BEGIN
PROTECTED and `protect END PROTECTED, respectively.
The encryption envelope may contain the code to be encrypted or it may contain `include
compiler directives that point to files containing the code to be encrypted.
Symmetric and asymmetric keys can be combined in encryption envelopes to provide the safety
of asymmetric keys with the efficiency of symmetric keys (see Encryption and Encoding
Methods). Encryption envelopes can also be used by the IP author to produce encrypted source

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Protecting Your Source Code

Encryption Envelopes

files that can be safely decrypted by multiple authors. For these reasons, encryption envelopes
are the preferred method of protection.

Encryption Envelopes
`pragma protect begin
ìnclude diff.v
ìnclude prim.v
ìnclude top.v
`pragma protect end
always @(posedge clock)
q = d;
endmodule
èndcelldefine

For a more technical explanation, see How Encryption Envelopes Work and The `include
Compiler Directive (Verilog only).

Protection Expressions
The encryption envelope contains a number of `pragma protect (Verilog/SystemVerilog) or
`protect (VHDL) expressions.
The following protection expressions are expected when creating an encryption envelope:

data_method defines the encryption algorithm that will be used to encrypt the
designated source text. ModelSim supports the following encryption algorithms: descbc, 3des-cbc, aes128-cbc, aes256-cbc, blowfish-cbc, cast128-cbc, and rsa.

key_keyowner designates the owner of the encryption key.

key_keyname specifies the keyowners key name.
key_method specifies an encryption algorithm that will be used to encrypt the key.
Note
The combination of key_keyowner and key_keyname expressions uniquely identify a
key. The key_method is required with these two expressions to complete the definition of
the key.

begin designates the beginning of the source code to be encrypted.

end designates the end of the source code to be encrypted
Note
Encryption envelopes cannot be nested. A `pragma protect begin/end pair cannot bracket
another `pragma protect begin/end pair.

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Encryption Envelopes

Optional `protect (VHDL) or `pragma protect (Verilog/SystemVerilog) expressions that may

be included are as follows:

author designates the IP provider.

author_info designates optional author information.
encoding specifies an encoding method. The default encoding method, if none is
specified, is base 64.

If a number of protection expressions occur in a single protection directive, the expressions are
evaluated in sequence from left to right. In addition, the interpretation of protected envelopes is
not dependent on this sequence occurring in a single protection expression or a sequence of
protection expressions. However, the most recent value assigned to a protection expression
keyword will be the one used.

key_method = "rsa"
key_keyname = "MGC-VERIF-SIM-RSA-1"
KEY_BLOCK
key_keyowner = "XYZ inc"
key_method = "rsa"
key_keyname = "XYZ-keyPublicKey"
key_public_key = <public key of XYZ inc.>
KEY_BLOCK

The encrypted code would look very much like the sample file, with the addition of another key
block:
`protect key_keyowner = "XYZ inc"
`protect key_method = "rsa"
`protect key_keyname = "XYZ-keyPublicKey"
`protect KEY_BLOCK
<encoded encrypted key information for "XYZ inc">

ModelSim uses its key block to determine the encrypted session key and XYZ Incorporated
uses the second key block to determine the same key. Consequently, both implementations
could successfully decrypt the code.
Note
The IP owner is responsible for obtaining the appropriate key for the specific tool(s)
protected IP is intended for, and should validate the encrypted results with those tools to
ensure his IP is protected and will function as intended in those tools.

Compiling with +protect

To encrypt IP code with ModelSim, the +protect argument must be used with either the vcom
command (for VHDL) or the vlog command (for Verilog and SystemVerilog).

Procedure
1. If a Verilog source code file containing encryption envelopes is named encrypt.v,
compile it as follows:
vlog +protect encrypt.v

When +protect is used with vcom or vlog, encryption envelope expressions are
transformed into decryption envelope expressions and decryption content expressions.
Source text within encryption envelopes is encrypted using the specified key and is
recorded in the decryption envelope within a data_block. The new encrypted file is
created with the same name as the original unencrypted file but with a p added to the

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Compiling with +protect

filename extension. For Verilog, the filename extension for the encrypted file is .vp; for
SystemVerilog it is .svp, and for VHDL it is .vhdp. This encrypted file is placed in the
current work library directory.
2. You can designate the name of the encrypted file using the +protect=<filename>
argument with vcom or vlog as follows:
vlog +protect=encrypt.vp encrypt.v

Example
Example 2-3 shows the resulting source code when the Verilog IP code used in Example 2-1 is
compiled with vlog +protect.
Example 2-3. Results After Compiling with vlog +protect
module test_dff4(output [3:0] q, output err);
parameter WIDTH = 4;
parameter DEBUG = 0;
reg [3:0] d;
reg
clk;
dff4 d4(q, clk, d);
assign
err = 0;
initial
begin
$dump_all_vpi;
$dump_tree_vpi(test_dff4);
$dump_tree_vpi(test_dff4.d4);
$dump_tree_vpi("test_dff4");
$dump_tree_vpi("test_dff4.d4");
$dump_tree_vpi("test_dff4.d", "test_dff4.clk", "test_dff4.q");
$dump_tree_vpi("test_dff4.d4.d0", "test_dff4.d4.d3");
$dump_tree_vpi("test_dff4.d4.q", "test_dff4.d4.clk");
end
endmodule
module dff4(output [3:0] q, input clk, input [3:0] d);
`pragma protect begin_protected
`pragma protect version = 1
`pragma protect encrypt_agent = "Model Technology"
`pragma protect encrypt_agent_info = "6.6a"
`pragma protect author = "IP Provider"
`pragma protect author_info = "Widget 5 version 3.2"
`pragma protect data_method = "aes128-cbc"
`pragma protect key_keyowner = "Mentor Graphics Corporation"
`pragma protect key_keyname = "MGC-VERIF-SIM-RSA-1"
`pragma protect key_method = "rsa"
`pragma protect key_block encoding = (enctype = "base64", line_length =
64, bytes = 128)
SdI6t9ewd9GE4va+2BgfnRuBNc45wVwjyPeSD/5qnojnbAHdpjWa/O/Tyhw0aq1T
NbDGrDg6I5dbzbLs5UQGFtB2lgOBMnE4JTpGRfV0sEqUdibBHiTpsNrbLpp1iJLi
7l4kQhnivnUuCx87GuqXIf5AaoLGBz5rCxKyA47ElQM=
`pragma protect data_block encoding = (enctype = "base64", line_length =
64, bytes = 496)
efkkPz4gJSO6zZfYdr37fqEoxgLZ3oTgu8y34GTYkO0ZZGKkyonE9zDQct5d0dfe

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/BZwoHCWnq4xqUp2dxF4x6cw6qBJcSEifCPDY1hJASoVX+7owIPGnLh5U0P/Wohp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`pragma protect end_protected

In this example, the `pragma protect data_method expression designates the encryption
algorithm used to encrypt the Verilog IP code. The key for this encryption algorithm is also
encrypted in this case, with the RSA public key. The key is recorded in the key_block of the
protected envelope. The encrypted IP code is recorded in the data_block of the envelope.
ModelSim allows more than one key_block to be included so that a single protected envelope
can be encrypted by ModelSim then decrypted by tools from different users.

The Runtime Encryption Model

After you compile with the +protect compile argument, all source text, identifiers, and line
number information are hidden from the end user in the resulting compiled object. ModelSim
cannot locate or display any information of the encrypted regions.
Specifically, this means that:

a Source window will not display the design units source code
a Structure window will not display the internal structure
the Objects window will not display internal signals
the Processes window will not display internal processes
the Locals window will not display internal variables
none of the hidden objects may be accessed through the Dataflow window or with
ModelSim commands.

Language-Specific Usage Models

This section includes usage models that are language-specific.

Usage Models for Protecting Verilog Source Code

Delivering IP Code with Undefined Macros

Delivering IP Code with User-Defined Macros

Usage Models for Protecting VHDL Source Code

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o

Using the vhencrypt Utility

Using ModelSim Default Encryption for VHDL

User-Selected Encryption for VHDL

Using raw Encryption for VHDL

Encrypting Several Parts of a VHDL Source File

Portable Encryption for Multiple Tools

Usage Models for Protecting Verilog Source Code

ModelSims encryption capabilities support Verilog and SystemVerilog usage models for IP
authors and their customers.

IP authors may use the vencrypt utility to deliver Verilog and SystemVerilog code
containing undefined macros and `directives. The IP user can then define the macros and
`directives and use the code in a wide range of EDA tools and design flows. See
Delivering IP Code with Undefined Macros.

IP authors may use `pragma protect directives to protect Verilog and SystemVerilog
code containing user-defined macros and `directives. The IP code can be delivered to IP
customers for use in a wide range of EDA tools and design flows. See Delivering IP
Code with User-Defined Macros.

Delivering IP Code with Undefined Macros

The vencrypt utility enables IP authors to deliver VHDL and Verilog/ SystemVerilog IP code
(respectively) that contains undefined macros and `directives. The resulting encrypted IP code
can then be used in a wide range of EDA tools and design flows.
The recommended encryption usage flow is shown in Figure 2-2.

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Figure 2-2. Verilog/SystemVerilog Encryption Usage Flow

Procedure
1. The IP author creates code that contains undefined macros and `directives.
2. The IP author creates encryption envelopes (see Encryption Envelopes) to protect
selected regions of code or entire files (see Protection Expressions).
3. The IP author uses ModelSims vencrypt utility to encrypt Verilog and SystemVerilog
code contained within encryption envelopes. Macros are not pre-processed before
encryption so macros and other `directives are unchanged.
The vencrypt utility produces a file with a .vp or a .svp extension to distinguish it from
non-encrypted Verilog and SystemVerilog files, respectively. The file extension may be
changed for use with simulators other than ModelSim. The original file extension is
preserved if the -d <dirname> argument is used with vencrypt, or if a `directive is used
in the file to be encrypted.
With the -h <filename> argument for vencrypt the IP author may specify a header file
that can be used to encrypt a large number of files that do not contain the `pragma
protect (or proprietary `protect information - see Proprietary Source Code Encryption
Tools) about how to encrypt the file. Instead, encryption information is provided in the

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<filename> specified by -h <filename>. This argument essentially concatenates the

header file onto the beginning of each file and saves the user from having to edit
hundreds of files in order to add in the same `pragma protect to every file. For
example,
vencrypt -h encrypt_head top.v cache.v gates.v memory.v

concatenates the information in the encrypt_head file into each verilog file listed. The
encrypt_head file may look like the following:
`pragma
`pragma
`pragma
`pragma
`pragma
`pragma
`pragma

protect
protect
protect
protect
protect
protect
protect

data_method = "aes128-cbc"
author = "IP Provider"
key_keyowner = "Mentor Graphics Corporation"
key_method = "rsa"
key_keyname = "MGC-VERIF-SIM-RSA-1"
encoding = (enctype = "base64")
begin

Notice, there is no `pragma protect end expression in the header file, just the header
block that starts the encryption. The `pragma protect end expression is implied by the
end of the file.
4. The IP author delivers encrypted IP with undefined macros and `directives.
5. The IP user defines macros and `directives.
6. The IP user compiles the design with vlog.
7. The IP user simulates the design with ModelSim or other simulation tools.

Delivering IP Code with User-Defined Macros

IP authors may use `pragma protect expressions to protect proprietary code containing userdefined macros and `directives. The resulting encrypted IP code can be delivered to customers
for use in a wide range of EDA tools and design flows.
The recommended usage flow for Verilog and SystemVerilog IP is shown in Figure 2-3.

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Figure 2-3. Delivering IP Code with User-Defined Macros

Procedure
1. The IP author creates proprietary code that contains user-defined macros and `directives.
2. The IP author creates encryption envelopes with `pragma protect expressions to protect
regions of code or entire files. See Encryption Envelopes and Protection Expressions.
3. The IP author uses the +protect argument for the vlog command to encrypt IP code
contained within encryption envelopes. The `pragma protect expressions are ignored
unless the +protect argument is used during compile. (See Compiling with +protect.)
The vlog +protect command produces a .vp or a .svp extension for the encrypted file to
distinguish it from non-encrypted Verilog and SystemVerilog files, respectively. The
file extension may be changed for use with simulators other than ModelSim. The
original file extension is preserved if a `directive is used in the file to be encrypted. For
more information, see Compiling with +protect.
4. The IP author delivers the encrypted IP.
5. The IP user simulates the code like any other file.
When encrypting source text, any macros without parameters defined on the command line are
substituted (not expanded) into the encrypted file. This makes certain macros unavailable in the
encrypted source text.

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ModelSim takes every simple macro that is defined with the compile command (vlog) and
substitutes it into the encrypted text. This prevents third party users of the encrypted blocks
from having access to or modifying these macros.
Note
Macros not specified with vlog via the +define+ option are unmodified in the encrypted
block.
For example, the code below is an example of an file that might be delivered by an IP provider.
The filename for this module is example00.sv.
`pragma protect data_method = "aes128-cbc"
`pragma protect key_keyowner = "Mentor Graphics Corporation"
`pragma protect key_method = "rsa"
`pragma protect key_keyname = "MGC-VERIF-SIM-RSA-1"
`pragma protect author = "Mentor", author_info = "Mentor_author"
`pragma protect begin
`timescale 1 ps / 1 ps
module example00 ();
ìfdef IPPROTECT
reg ÌPPROTECT ;
reg otherReg ;
initial begin
ÌPPROTECT = 1;
otherReg
= 0;
$display("ifdef defined as true");
`define FOO 0
$display("FOO is defined as: ", `FOO);
$display("reg IPPROTECT has the value: ", ÌPPROTECT );
end
èlse
initial begin
$display("ifdef defined as false");
end
èndif
endmodule
`pragma protect end

We encrypt the example00.sv module with the vlog command as follows:

vlog +define+IPPROTECT=ip_value +protect=encrypted00.sv example00.sv

This creates an encrypted file called encrypted00.sv. We can then compile this file with a macro
override for the macro FOO as follows:
vlog +define+FOO=99 encrypted00.sv

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The macro FOO can be overridden by a customer while the macro IPPROTECT retains the
value specified at the time of encryption, and the macro IPPROTECT no longer exists in the
encrypted file.

Usage Models for Protecting VHDL Source Code

ModelSims encryption capabilities for VHDL support a number of usage models.
Supported usage models include:

IP authors may use `protect directives to create an encryption envelope (see Encryption
Envelopes) for the VHDL code to be protected and use ModelSims vhencrypt utility to
encrypt the code. The encrypted IP code can be delivered to IP customers for use in a
wide range of EDA tools and design flows. See Using the vhencrypt Utility.

IP authors may use `protect directives to create an encryption envelope (see Encryption
Envelopes) for the VHDL code to be protected and use ModelSims default encryption
and decryption actions. The IP code can be delivered to IP customers for use in a wide
range of EDA tools and design flows. See Using ModelSim Default Encryption for
VHDL.

IP authors may use `protect directives to create an encryption envelope for VHDL code
and select encryption methods and encoding other than ModelSims default methods.
See User-Selected Encryption for VHDL.

IP authors may use raw encryption and encoding to aid debugging. See Using raw
Encryption for VHDL.

IP authors may encrypt several parts of the source file, choose the encryption method for
encrypting the source (the data_method), and use a key automatically provided by
ModelSim. See Encrypting Several Parts of a VHDL Source File.

IP authors can use the concept of multiple key blocks to produce code that is secure and
portable across different simulators. See Portable Encryption for Multiple Tools.

The usage models are illustrated by examples in the sections below.

Note
VHDL encryption requires that the KEY_BLOCK (the sequence of key_keyowner,
key_keyname, and key_method directives) end with a `protect KEY_BLOCK directive.

Using the vhencrypt Utility

The vhencrypt utility enables IP authors to deliver encrypted VHDL IP code to users. The
resulting encrypted IP code can then be used in a wide range of EDA tools and design flows.

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Procedure
1. The IP author creates code.
2. The IP author creates encryption envelopes (see Encryption Envelopes) to protect
selected regions of code or entire files (see Protection Expressions).
3. The IP author uses ModelSims vhencrypt utility to encrypt code contained within
encryption envelopes.
The vhencrypt utility produces a file with a .vhdp or a .vhdlp extension to distinguish it
from non-encrypted VHDL files. The file extension may be changed for use with
simulators other than ModelSim. The original file extension is preserved if the
-d <dirname> argument is used with vhencrypt.
With the -h <filename> argument for vencrypt the IP author may specify a header file
that can be used to encrypt a large number of files that do not contain the `protect
information about how to encrypt the file. Instead, encryption information is provided in
the <filename> specified by -h <filename>. This argument essentially concatenates the
header file onto the beginning of each file and saves the user from having to edit
hundreds of files in order to add in the same `protect to every file. For example,
vhencrypt -h encrypt_head top.vhd cache.vhd gates.vhd memory.vhd

concatenates the information in the encrypt_head file into each VHDL file listed. The
encrypt_head file may look like the following:
`protect
`protect
`protect
`protect
`protect
`protect
`protect
`protect

data_method = "aes128-cbc"
author = "IP Provider"
encoding = (enctype = "base64")
key_keyowner = "Mentor Graphics Corporation"
key_method = "rsa"
key_keyname = "MGC-VERIF-SIM-RSA-1"
KEY_BLOCK
begin

Notice, there is no `protect end expression in the header file, just the header block that
starts the encryption. The `protect end expression is implied by the end of the file.
4. The IP author delivers encrypted IP.
5. The IP user compiles the design with vcom.
6. The IP user simulates the design with ModelSim or other simulation tools.

Examples
Using ModelSim Default Encryption for VHDL

Suppose an IP author needs to make a design entity, called IP1, visible to the user so the user
can instantiate the design, but the author wants to hide the architecture implementation from the
user. In addition, suppose that IP1 instantiates entity IP2, which the author wants to hide
completely from the user. The easiest way to accomplish this is to surround the regions to be

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and the various key directives specify that the Mentor Graphic key named MGC-VERIF-SIMRSA-1 and the RSA encryption method are to be used to produce a key block containing a
randomly generated session key to be used with the aes128-cbc method to encrypt the source
code. See Using the Mentor Graphics Public Encryption Key.
Using raw Encryption for VHDL

Suppose that the IP author wants to use raw encryption and encoding to help with debugging
the following entity:
entity example3_ent is
port (
in1 : in bit;
out1 : out bit);
end example3_ent;

Then the architecture the author wants to encrypt might be this:

========== File example3_arch.vhd
`protect data_method = "raw"
`protect encoding = ( enctype = "raw")
`protect begin
architecture arch of example3_ent is
begin
out1 <= in1 after 1 ns;
end arch;
`protect end
========== End of file example3_arch.vhd ==========

If (after compiling the entity) the example3_arch.vhd file were compiled using the command:
vcom +protect example3_arch.vhd

Then the following file would be produced in the work directory

========== File work/example3_arch.vhdp ==========
`protect data_method = "raw"
`protect encoding = ( enctype = "raw")
`protect BEGIN_PROTECTED
`protect version = 1
`protect encrypt_agent = "Model Technology", encrypt_agent_info = "DEV"
`protect data_method = "raw"
`protect encoding = ( enctype = "raw", bytes = 81 )
`protect DATA_BLOCK
architecture arch of example3_ent is
begin

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out1 <= in1 after 1 ns;

end arch;
`protect END_PROTECTED
========== End of file work/example3_arch.vhdp

Notice that the protected file is very similar to the original file. The differences are that `protect
begin is replaced by `protect BEGIN_PROTECTED, `protect end is replaced by `protect
END_PROTECTED, and some additional encryption information is supplied after the BEGIN
PROTECTED directive.
See Encryption and Encoding Methods for more information about raw encryption and
encoding.
Encrypting Several Parts of a VHDL Source File

This example shows the use of symmetric encryption. (See Encryption and Encoding Methods
for more information on symmetric and asymmetric encryption and encoding.) It also
demonstrates another common use model, in which the IP author encrypts several parts of a
source file, chooses the encryption method for encrypting the source code (the data_method),
and uses a key automatically provided by ModelSim. (This is very similar to the proprietary
`protect method in Verilog - see Proprietary Source Code Encryption Tools.)
========== file example4.vhd ==========
entity ex4_ent is
end ex4_ent;
architecture ex4_arch of ex4_ent is
signal s1: bit;
`protect data_method = "aes128-cbc"
`protect begin
signal s2: bit;
`protect end
signal s3: bit;
begin

-- ex4_arch

`protect
`protect
s2 <= s1
`protect

data_method = "aes128-cbc"
begin
after 1 ns;
end

s3 <= s2 after 1 ns;

end ex4_arch;
========== end of file example4.vhd

If this file were compiled using the command:

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vcom +protect example4.vhd

Then the following file would be produced in the work directory:

========== File work/example4.vhdp ==========
entity ex4_ent is
end ex4_ent;
architecture ex4_arch of ex4_ent is
signal s1: bit;
`protect data_method = "aes128-cbc"
`protect BEGIN_PROTECTED
`protect version = 1
`protect encrypt_agent = "Model Technology", encrypt_agent_info = "DEV"
`protect data_method = "aes128-cbc"
`protect encoding = ( enctype = "base64" , bytes = 18 )
`protect DATA_BLOCK
<encoded encrypted declaration of s2>
`protect END_PROTECTED
signal s3: bit;
begin

-- ex4_arch

`protect
`protect
`protect
`protect
`protect
`protect
`protect
<encoded
`protect

data_method = "aes128-cbc"
BEGIN_PROTECTED
version = 1
encrypt_agent = "Model Technology", encrypt_agent_info = "DEV"
data_method = "aes128-cbc"
encoding = ( enctype = "base64" , bytes = 21 )
DATA_BLOCK
encrypted signal assignment to s2>
END_PROTECTED

s3 <= s2 after 1 ns;

end ex4_arch;
========== End of file work/example4.vhdp

The encrypted example4.vhdp file shows that an IP author can encrypt both declarations and
statements. Also, note that the signal assignment
s3 <= s2 after 1 ns;

is not protected. This assignment compiles and simulates even though signal s2 is protected. In
general, executable VHDL statements and declarations simulate the same whether or not they
refer to protected objects.

Proprietary Source Code Encryption Tools

Mentor Graphics provides two proprietary methods for encrypting source code.

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The `protect / `endprotect compiler directives allow you to encrypt regions within
Verilog and SystemVerilog files.

The -nodebug argument for the vcom and vlog compile commands allows you to
encrypt entire VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog source files.

Using Proprietary Compiler Directives

The proprietary `protect vlog compiler directive is not compatible with other simulators.
Though other simulators have a `protect directive, the algorithm ModelSim uses to encrypt
Verilog and SystemVerilog source files is different. Therefore, even though an uncompiled
source file with `protect is compatible with another simulator, once the source is compiled in
ModelSim, the resulting .vp or .svp source file is not compatible.
IP authors and IP users may use the `protect compiler directive to define regions of Verilog and
SystemVerilog code to be protected. The code is then compiled with the vlog +protect
command and simulated with ModelSim. The vencrypt utility may be used if the code contains
undefined macros or `directives, but the code must then be compiled and simulated with
ModelSim.
Note
While ModelSim supports both `protect and `pragma protect encryption directives,
these two approaches to encryption are incompatible. Code encrypted by one type of
directive cannot be decrypted by another.
The usage flow for delivering IP with the Mentor Graphics proprietary `protect compiler
directive is as follows:
Figure 2-4. Delivering IP with `protect Compiler Directives

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Proprietary Source Code Encryption Tools

Procedure
1. The IP author protects selected regions of Verilog or SystemVerilog IP with the
`protect / `endprotect directive pair. The code in `protect / `endprotect encryption
envelopes has all debug information stripped out. This behaves exactly as if using
vlog -nodebug=ports+pli

except that it applies to selected regions of code rather than the whole file.
2. The IP author uses the vlog +protect command to encrypt IP code contained within
encryption envelopes. The `protect / `endprotect directives are ignored by default
unless the +protect argument is used with vlog.
Once compiled, the original source file is copied to a new file in the current work
directory. The vlog +protect command produces a .vp or a .svp extension to distinguish
it from other non-encrypted Verilog and SystemVerilog files, respectively. For example,
top.v becomes top.vp and cache.sv becomes cache.svp. This new file can be delivered
and used as a replacement for the original source file. (See Compiling with +protect.)
Note
The vencrypt utility may be used if the code also contains undefined macros or
`directives, but the code must then be compiled and simulated with ModelSim.
You can use vlog +protect=<filename> to create an encrypted output file, with the
designated filename, in the current directory (not in the work directory, as in the default
case where [=<filename>] is not specified). For example:
vlog test.v +protect=test.vp

If the filename is specified in this manner, all source files on the command line will be
concatenated together into a single output file. Any `include files will also be inserted
into the output file.
Caution
`protect and `endprotect directives cannot be nested.

If errors are detected in a protected region, the error message always reports the first line
of the protected block.

Protecting Source Code Using -nodebug

Verilog/SystemVerilog and VHDL IP authors and users may use the proprietary vlog -nodebug
or vcom -nodebug command, respectively, to protect entire files. The -nodebug argument for
both vcom and vlog hides internal model data, allowing you to provide pre-compiled libraries
without providing source code and without revealing internal model variables and structure.

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Proprietary Source Code Encryption Tools

Prerequisite
Identify files to be encrypted.
Note
The -nodebug argument encrypts entire files. The `protect compiler directive allows you
to encrypt regions within a file. Refer to Compiler Directives for details.

Procedure
1. Compile VHDL files to be encrypted with the vcom -nodebug command.
2. Compile Verilog/SystemVerilog files to be encrypted with the vlog -nodebug command.
When you compile with -nodebug, all source text, identifiers, and line number
information are stripped from the resulting compiled object, so ModelSim cannot locate
or display any information of the model except for the external pins.
You can access the design units comprising your model via the library, and you may
invoke vsim directly on any of these design units to see the ports. To restrict even this
access in the lower levels of your design, you can use the following -nodebug options
when you compile:
Table 2-1. Compile Options for the -nodebug Compiling
Command and Switch

Result

vcom -nodebug=ports

makes the ports of a VHDL design unit

invisible

vlog -nodebug=ports

makes the ports of a Verilog design unit

invisible

vlog -nodebug=pli

prevents the use of PLI functions to

interrogate the module for information

vlog -nodebug=ports+pli

combines the functions of -nodebug=ports

and -nodebug=pli

Note
Do not use the =ports option on a design without hierarchy, or on the top level of a
hierarchical design. If you do, no ports will be visible for simulation. Rather, compile all
lower portions of the design with -nodebug=ports first, then compile the top level with
-nodebug alone.
Design units or modules compiled with -nodebug can only instantiate design units or
modules that are also compiled -nodebug.
Do not use -nodebug=ports for mixed language designs, especially for Verilog modules
to be instantiated inside VHDL.

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Encryption Reference

Encryption Reference
The Encryption Reference includes important information about encryption and encoding
methods, details on how encryption envelopes work, how to use public encryption keys, and
how to use the Mentor Graphics public encryption key.

Encryption and Encoding Methods

There are two basic encryption techniques symmetric and asymmetric.

Symmetric encryption uses the same key for both encrypting and decrypting the code
region.

Asymmetric encryption methods use two keys: a public key for encryption, and a private
key for decryption.

Symmetric Encryption
For symmetric encryption, security of the key is critical and information about the key must be
supplied to ModelSim. Under certain circumstances, ModelSim will generate a random key for
use with a symmetric encryption method or will use an internal key.
The symmetric encryption algorithms ModelSim supports are:

des-cbc
3des-cbc
aes128-cbc
aes192-cbc
aes256-cbc
blowfish-cbc
cast128-cbc

The default symmetric encryption method ModelSim uses for encrypting IP source code is
aes128-cbc.

Asymmetric Encryption
For asymmetric encryption, the public key is openly available and is published using some form
of key distribution system. The private key is secret and is used by the decrypting tool, such as
ModelSim. Asymmetric methods are more secure than symmetric methods, but take much
longer to encrypt and decrypt data.
The only asymmetric method ModelSim supports is:

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Encryption Reference

rsa
This method is only supported for specifying key information, not for encrypting IP source code
(i.e., only for key methods, not for data methods).
For testing purposes, ModelSim also supports raw encryption, which doesn't change the
protected source code (the simulator still hides information about the protected region).
All encryption algorithms (except raw) produce byte streams that contain non-graphic
characters, so there needs to be an encoding mechanism to transform arbitrary byte streams into
portable sequences of graphic characters which can be used to put encrypted text into source
files. The encoding methods supported by ModelSim are:

uuencode
base64
raw

Base 64 encoding, which is technically superior to uuencode, is the default encoding used by
ModelSim, and is the recommended encoding for all applications.
Raw encoding must only be used in conjunction with raw encryption for testing purposes.

How Encryption Envelopes Work

Encryption envelopes handle the code you need to protect in a very specific manner.
1. The encrypting tool generates a random key for use with a symmetric method, called a
session key.
2. The IP protected source code is encrypted using this session key.
3. The encrypting tool communicates the session key to the decrypting tool which can
be ModelSim or some other tool by means of a KEY_BLOCK.
4. For each potential decrypting tool, information about that tool must be provided in the
encryption envelope. This information includes the owner of the key (key_keyowner),
the name of the key (key_keyname), the asymmetric method for encrypting/decrypting
the key (key_method), and sometimes the key itself (key_public_key).
5. The encrypting tool uses this information to encrypt and encode the session key into a
KEY_BLOCK. The occurrence of a KEY_BLOCK in the source code tells the
encrypting tool to generate an encryption envelope.
6. The decrypting tool reads each KEY_BLOCK until it finds one that specifies a key it
knows about. It then decrypts the associated KEY_BLOCK data to determine the
original session key and uses that session key to decrypt the IP source code.

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Encryption Reference

Note
VHDL encryption requires that the KEY_BLOCK (the sequence of key_keyowner,
key_keyname, and key_method directives) end with a `protect KEY_BLOCK directive.

Using Public Encryption Keys

If IP authors want to encrypt for third party EDA tools, other public keys need to be specified
with the key_public_key directive as follows.
For Verilog and SystemVerilog:
`pragma protect key_keyowner="Acme"
`pragma protect key_keyname="AcmeKeyName"
`pragma protect key_public_key
MIGfMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBAQUAA4GNADCBiQKBgQCnJfQb+LLzTMX3NRARsv7A8+LV5SgMEJCvI
f9Tif2emi4z0qtp8E+nX7QFzocTlClC6Dcq2qIvEJcpqUgTTD+mJ6grJSJ+R4AxxCgvHYUwoT
80Xs0QgRqkrGYxW1RUnNBcJm4ZULexYz8972Oj6rQ99n5e1kDa/eBcszMJyOkcGQIDAQAB

For VHDL:
`protect key_keyowner="Acme"
`protect key_keyname="AcmeKeyName"
`protect key_public_key
MIGfMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBAQUAA4GNADCBiQKBgQCnJfQb+LLzTMX3NRARsv7A8+LV5SgMEJCvI
f9Tif2emi4z0qtp8E+nX7QFzocTlClC6Dcq2qIvEJcpqUgTTD+mJ6grJSJ+R4AxxCgvHYUwoT
80Xs0QgRqkrGYxW1RUnNBcJm4ZULexYz8972Oj6rQ99n5e1kDa/eBcszMJyOkcGQIDAQAB

This defines a new key named AcmeKeyName with a key owner of Acme. The data block
following key_public_key directive is an example of a base64 encoded version of a public key
that should be provided by a tool vendor.

Using the Mentor Graphics Public Encryption Key

Mentor Graphics supplies this public encryption key without exception to support
interoperability across products.
The Mentor Graphics base64 encoded RSA public key is:
MIGfMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBAQUAA4GNADCBiQKBgQCnJfQb+LLzTMX3NRARsv7A8+LV5SgMEJCvI
f9Tif2emi4z0qtp8E+nX7QFzocTlClC6Dcq2qIvEJcpqUgTTD+mJ6grJSJ+R4AxxCgvHYUwoT
80Xs0QgRqkrGYxW1RUnNBcJm4ZULexYz8972Oj6rQ99n5e1kDa/eBcszMJyOkcGQIDAQAB

For Verilog and SystemVerilog applications, copy and paste the entire Mentor Graphics key
block, as follows, into your code:
`pragma
`pragma
`pragma
`pragma

What are Projects?

Projects are a collection of entities for designs under specification or test. At a minimum,
projects have a root directory, a work library, and "metadata" which are stored in an .mpf file
located in a project's root directory. The metadata include compiler switch settings, compile
order, and file mappings. Projects may also include the following items.

Source files or references to source files

Other files, such as READMEs or other project documentation
Local libraries
References to global libraries
Simulation configurations
Folders

What are the Benefits of Projects?

Projects offer benefits to both new and advanced users.

Projects simplify interaction with ModelSim. For example, you dont need to
understand the intricacies of compiler switches and library mappings

Projects eliminate the need to remember the conceptual model of the design; the
compile order is maintained for you in the project.
Note
Compile order is maintained for HDL-only designs.

Projects remove the necessity to re-establish compiler switches and settings for each
new session. Settings and compiler switches are stored in the project metadata as are
mappings to source files.

Projects allow you to share libraries without copying files to a local directory. For
example, you can establish references to source files that are stored remotely or locally.

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Getting Started with Projects

Projects allow you to change individual parameters across multiple files. In previous
versions you could only set parameters one file at a time.

Projects enable "what-if" analysis. For example, you can copy a project, manipulate the
settings, and rerun it to observe the new results.

Projects reload the initial settings from the project .mpf file every time the project is
opened.

Related Topics
Creating a Simulation Configuration
Organizing Projects with Folders

Project Conversion Between Simulator Versions

Projects are generally not backwards compatible for either number or letter releases. When you
open a project created in an earlier version, you will see a message warning that the project will
be converted to the newer version. You have the option of continuing with the conversion or
cancelling the operation.
As stated in the warning message, a backup of the original project is created before the
conversion occurs. The backup file is named <project name>.mpf.bak and is created in the
same directory in which the original project is located.

Getting Started with Projects

You do the intitial set up compile and simulation of a design by working with several windows
and dialog boxes. The following sections show you the necessary steps.

Open a New Project

Add Source Files to the Project
Compile the Files
Simulate a Design

Open a New Project

This procedure shows you how to do the initital setup necessary for creating a project.

Procedure
1. Select File > New > Project to create a new project. This opens the Create Project
dialog

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Getting Started with Projects

2. Specify a project name, location, and default library name. You can generally leave the
Default Library Name set to "work." The name you specify will be used to create a
working library subdirectory within the Project Location. This dialog also allows you to
reference library settings from a selected .ini file or copy them directly into the project.
Figure 3-1. Create Project Dialog

3. Click OK.

Results
A blank Project window opens in the Main window (Figure 3-2)
Figure 3-2. Project Window Detail

and the Add Items to the Project dialog box opens. (Figure 3-3)

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Getting Started with Projects

Figure 3-3. Add items to the Project Dialog

The name of the current project is displayed at the bottom bar of the Main window.
If you exit ModelSim with a project open, ModelSim automatically opens that same project
upon startup.
You can open a different or existing project by selecting File > Open and choosing Project Files
from the Files of type drop-down.
To close a project file, right-click in the Project window and select Close Project. This closes
the Project window but leaves the Library window open. You cannot close a project while a
simulation is in progress.

Add Source Files to the Project

Once you have created a project, you need to add the design files. You can either write and edit
a new source file or add a pre-existing file.

Procedure

Create a new project file

a. Select Project > Add to Project > New File (the Project tab in the Workspace must
be active). This will open the Create Project File dialog (Figure 3-4).

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Getting Started with Projects

Figure 3-4. Create Project File Dialog

b. Specify a name, file type, and folder location for the new file.
When you select OK, the file is listed in the Project tab. Double-click the name of the
new file and a Source editor window will open, allowing you to create source code.

Add an existing file

a. Select Project > Add to Project > Existing File.
Figure 3-5. Add file to Project Dialog

b. OK.

Results
The files are added to the Project tab.

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Getting Started with Projects

Note
You can send a list of all project filenames to the transcript window by entering the
command project filenames. This command only works when a project is open.

Compile the Files

The question marks in the Status column in the Project tab indicate that either the files have not
been compiled into the project or the source has changed since the last compile.
Note
Project metadata is updated and stored only for actions taken within the project itself. For
example, if you have a file in a project, and you compile that file from the command line
rather than using the project menu commands, the project will not update to reflect any
new compile settings.

Procedure

Select Compile > Compile All or right click in the Project tab and select Compile >
Compile All.

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Figure 3-6. Right-click Compile Menu in Project Window

Results
Once compilation is finished, click the Library window, expand the library work by clicking the
"+", and you will see the compiled design units.
Figure 3-7. Click Plus Sign to Show Design Hierarchy

Change Compile Order

The Compile Order dialog box is functional for HDL-only designs. When you compile all files
in a project, ModelSim by default compiles the files in the order in which they were added to the
project.

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You have two alternatives for changing the default compile order:

Select and compile each file individually

Specify a custom compile order

Procedure
1. Choose Compile > Compile Order from the main menu or from the context menu in
the Project tab.
Figure 3-8. Setting Compile Order

2. Drag the files into the correct order or use the up and down arrow buttons. Note that you
can select multiple files and drag them simultaneously.

Auto-Generate the Compile Order

If you have an HDL-only design, you can automatically generate the compile order of its files.
When you click the Auto Generate button in the Compile Order dialog box (Figure 3-8),
ModelSim determines the correct compile order by making multiple passes over the files. It
starts compiling from the top; if a file fails to compile due to dependencies, it moves that file to
the bottom and then recompiles it after compiling the rest of the files. It continues in this manner
until all files compile successfully or until a file(s) cant be compiled for reasons other than
dependency.

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You can display files in the Project window in alphabetical or in compilation order (by clicking
the column headings). Keep in mind that the order you see in the Project tab is not necessarily
the order in which the files will be compiled.

Grouping Files
You can group two or more files in the Compile Order dialog so they are sent to the compiler at
the same time. For example, you might have one file with a bunch of Verilog define statements
and a second file that is a Verilog module. You would want to compile these two files together.

Procedure
1. Select the files you want to group.
Figure 3-9. Grouping Files

1. Click the Group button.

To ungroup files, select the group and click the Ungroup button.

Simulate a Design
After you have finished compiling the files contained in your design, you are ready to perform
simulation.
To simulate a design, do one of the following.
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Double-click the Name of an appropriate design object (such as a test bench module or
entity) in the Library window.

Right-click the Name of an appropriate design object and choose Simulate from the
popup menu.

Choose Simulate > Start Simulation from the main menu to open the Add Simulation
Configuration dialog box (Figure 3-10). Select a design unit in the Design tab. Set other
options in the VHDL, Verilog, Libraries, SDF, and Others tabs. Click OK to start the
simulation.
Figure 3-10. Add Simulation Configuration Dialog Box Design Tab

A new Structure window, named sim, appears that shows the structure of the active simulation
(Figure 3-11).

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The Project Window

Figure 3-11. Structure WIndow with Projects

At this point you are ready to run the simulation and analyze your results. You often do this by
adding signals to the Wave window and running the simulation for a given period of time. See
the ModelSim Tutorial for examples.

The Project Window

To access:
New Project: File > New > Project.

Saved Project: File > Open > Files of Type > Project File (.mpf)

The Project window contains information about the objects in your project. By default the
window is divided into five columns. You can display this window to create a new project or to
work on an existing project that you have saved
Figure 3-12. Project Window Overview

Fields

Name The name of a file or object.

Status Identifies whether a source file has been successfully compiled. Applies only to
VHDL or Verilog files. A question mark means the file hasnt been compiled or the

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source file has changed since the last successful compile; an X means the compile
failed; a check mark means the compile succeeded; a checkmark with a yellow triangle
behind it means the file compiled but there were warnings generated.

Type The file type as determined by registered file types on Windows or the type you
specify when you add the file to the project.

Order The order in which the file will be compiled when you execute a Compile All
command.

Modified The date and time of the last modification to the file.

You can hide or show columns by right-clicking on a column title and selecting or deselecting
entries.

Usage Notes
You can sort the list by any of the five columns. Click on a column heading to sort by that
column; click the heading again to invert the sort order. An arrow in the column heading
indicates which field the list is sorted by and whether the sort order is descending (down arrow)
or ascending (up arrow).

Creating a Simulation Configuration

A Simulation Configuration associates a design unit(s) and its simulation options. Ordinarily,
you would have to specify those options each time you load the design. With a Simulation
Configuration, you specify the design and those options and then save the configuration with a
name.
For example, assume you routinely load a particular design and you also have to specify the
simulator resolution limit, generics, and SDF timing files. With a Simulation Configuration,
you would specify the design and those options and then save the configuration and name it
top_config. This name is then listed in the Project tab where you can double-click it to load the
design along with its options.

Procedure
1. Add a simulation configuration to the project by doing either of the following:

Choose Project > Add to Project > Simulation Configuration from the main
menu.

Right-click the Project tab and choose Add to Project > Simulation Configuration
from the popup menu in the Project window.

This displays the dialog box shown in Figure 3-13.

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Creating a Simulation Configuration

Figure 3-13. Add Simulation Configuration Dialog Box

2. Specify a name in the Simulation Configuration Name field.

3. Specify the folder in which you want to place the configuration (see Organizing Projects
with Folders).
4. Select one or more design unit(s). Use the Control and/or Shift keys to select more than
one design unit. The design unit names appear in the Simulate field when you select
them.
5. Use the other tabs in the dialog box to specify any required simulation options.
6. Click OK

Results

The simulation configuration is added to the Project window, as shown in Figure 3-14.
As noted, the name of the new simulation configuration you have added is verilog_sim.
To load the design, double-click on verilog_sim.

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Organizing Projects with Folders

Figure 3-14. Simulation Configuration in the Project Window

Organizing Projects with Folders

The more files you add to a project, the harder it can be to locate the item you need. You can
add "folders" to the project to organize your files.

Adding a Project Folder

Project folders are similar to directories in that they are containers that allow you to organize
multiple levels of folders and sub-folders. However, no actual project directories are created in
the file systemthe folders are present only within the project file.

Procedure
1. Select Project > Add to Project > Folder or right-click in the Project window and
select Add to Project > Folder.
Figure 3-15. Add Folder Dialog

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2. Specify the Folder Name, the location for the folder, and click OK. The folder will be
displayed in the Project tab.

Examples
For example, when you add a file, you can select which folder to place it in.
Figure 3-16. Specifying a Project Folder

If you want to move a file into a folder later on, you can do so using the Properties dialog for the
file. Simply right-click on the filename in the Project window and select Properties from the
context menu that appears. This will open the Project Compiler Settings Dialog (Figure 3-17).
Use the Place in Folder field to specify a folder.

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Set File Properties and Project Settings

Figure 3-17. Project Compiler Settings Dialog

On Windows platforms, you can also just drag-and-drop a file into a folder.

Set File Properties and Project Settings

You can set two types of properties in a project: file properties and project settings. File
properties affect individual files; project settings affect the entire project.

File Compilation Properties

The VHDL and Verilog compilers (vcom and vlog, respectively) have numerous options that
affect how a design is compiled and subsequently simulated. You can customize the settings on
individual files or a group of files.
Note
Any changes you make to the compile properties outside of the project, whether from the
command line, the GUI, or the modelsim.ini file, will not affect the properties of files
already in the project.
To customize specific files, select the file(s) in the Project window, right click on the file names,
and select Properties. The resulting Project Compiler Settings dialog (Figure 3-18) varies
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depending on the number and type of files you have selected. If you select a single VHDL or
Verilog file, you will see the General tab, Coverage tab, and the VHDL or Verilog tab,
respectively. On the General tab, you will see file properties such as Type, Location, and Size.
If you select multiple files, the file properties on the General tab are not listed. Finally, if you
select both a VHDL file and a Verilog file, you will see all tabs but no file information on the
General tab.
Figure 3-18. Specifying File Properties

When setting options on a group of files, keep in mind the following:

If two or more files have different settings for the same option, the checkbox in the
dialog will be "grayed out." If you change the option, you cannot change it back to a
"multi- state setting" without cancelling out of the dialog. Once you click OK,
ModelSim will set the option the same for all selected files.

If you select a combination of VHDL and Verilog files, the options you set on the
VHDL and Verilog tabs apply only to those file types.

Project Settings
To modify project settings, right-click anywhere within the Project tab and choose Project
Settings from the popup menu.

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Set File Properties and Project Settings

Figure 3-19. Project Settings Dialog

Convert Pathnames to Softnames for Location Mapping

If you are using a location map, you can convert relative pathnames, full pathnames, and
pathnames with an environment variable into a soft pathname.
Tip: The term softname denotes a pathname that uses location mapping using the
MGC_LOCATION_MAP environment variable. The soft pathname looks like a
pathname containing an environment variable, it locates the source using the location
map rather than the environment.

Prerequisites

Under the Location map section of the Project Settings dialog box (Figure 3-19), enable
the checkbox for Convert pathnames to softnames.

Procedure
1. Right-click anywhere within the Project tab and select Project Settings
2. Enable the Convert pathnames to softnames within the Location map area of the
Project Settings dialog box (Figure 3-19).

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Results
Once enabled, all pathnames currently in the project and any that are added later are then
converted to softnames.
During conversion, if there is no softname in the mgc location map matching the entry, the
pathname is converted in to a full (hardened) pathname. A pathname is hardened by removing
the environment variable or the relative portion of the path. If this happens, any existing
pathnames that are either relative or use environment variables are also changed: either to
softnames if possible, or to hardened pathnames if not.

Setting Custom Double-click Behavior

Use the Project Settings dialog box to control the double-click behavior of the Project
window.

Procedure
1. Select the desired File Type in the Double-click Behavior pane.
2. Select Custom from the Action dropdown.
3. In the Custom text entry box enter a Tcl command, using %f for filename substitution.

Examples
The following example shows how the Custom text entry box could appear.
notepad %f

where the double-click behavior will substitute %f with the filename that was clicked, then
execute the string.

Access Projects from the Command Line

Generally, projects are used from within the ModelSim GUI. However, standalone tools will
use the project file if they are invoked in the project's root directory. If you want to invoke
outside the project directory, set the MODELSIM environment variable with the path to the
project file (<Project_Root_Dir>/<Project_Name>.mpf).
You can also use the project command from the command line to perform common operations
on projects.

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Chapter 4
Design Libraries
VHDL designs are associated with libraries, which are objects that contain compiled design
units. Verilog and SystemVerilog designs simulated within ModelSim are compiled into
libraries as well.

Design Library Overview

A design library is a directory or archive that serves as a repository for compiled design units.
The design units contained in a design library consist of VHDL entities, packages, architectures,
and configurations; Verilog modules and UDPs (user-defined primitives). The design units are
classified in two ways.

Primary design units Consist of entities, package declarations, configuration

declarations, modules, and UDPs. Primary design units within a given library must have
unique names.

Secondary design units Consist of architecture bodies, and package bodies.

Secondary design units are associated with a primary design unit. Architectures by the
same name can exist if they are associated with different entities or modules.

Design Unit Information

The information stored for each design unit in a design library is:

retargetable, executable code

debugging information
dependency information

Working Library Versus Resource Libraries

Design libraries can be used in two ways.
1. As a local working library that contains the compiled version of your design;
2. As a resource library.
The contents of your working library will change as you update your design and recompile. A
resource library is typically static and serves as a parts source for your design. You can create
your own resource libraries or they may be supplied by another design team or a third party (for
example, a silicon vendor).

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Working with Design Libraries

Only one library can be the working library.

Any number of libraries can be resource libraries during a compilation. You specify which
resource libraries will be used when the design is compiled, and there are rules to specify in
which order they are searched (refer to Verilog Resource Libraries and VHDL Resource
Libraries).
A common example of using both a working library and a resource library is one in which your
gate-level design and test bench are compiled into the working library and the design references
gate-level models in a separate resource library.

The Library Named "work"

The library named "work" has special attributes within ModelSim it is predefined in the
compiler and need not be declared explicitly (that is, library work). It is also the library name
used by the compiler as the default destination of compiled design units (that is, it does not need
to be mapped). In other words, the work library is the default working library.

Working with Design Libraries

The implementation of a design library is not defined within standard VHDL or Verilog. Within
ModelSim, design libraries are implemented as directories and can have any legal name allowed
by the operating system, with one exception: extended identifiers are not supported for library
names.

Creating a Library
You need to create a working design library before you run the compiler. This can be done from
either the command line or from the ModelSim graphic interface.
Note
When you create a project, ModelSim automatically creates a working design library.

Procedure
You have two ways to create a working design library:

From the ModelSim prompt or a UNIX/DOS prompt, use the vlib command:
vlib <directory_pathname>

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With the graphic interface, select File > New > Library.

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Working with Design Libraries

Figure 4-1. Creating a New Library

Results
When you click OK, ModelSim creates the specified library directory and writes a speciallyformatted file named _info into that directory. The _info file must remain in the directory to
distinguish it as a ModelSim library.
The new map entry is written to the modelsim.ini file in the [Library] section. Refer to
modelsim.ini Variables for more information.
Note
Remember that a design library is a special kind of directory. The only way to create a
library is to use the ModelSim GUI or the vlib command. Do not try to create libraries
using UNIX, DOS, or Windows commands.

Related Topics
Getting Started with Projects
modelsim.ini Variables

Library Size
The -smartdbgsym option for the vcom and vlog commands helps to reduce the size of
debugging database symbol files generated at compile time from the design libraries. With
-smartdbgsym, most design-units have their debugging symbol files generated on-demand by
vsim.While using this flow provides significant savings in terms of the number of files in the
library and the overall size of the library, there are a few limitations: code coverage flows
cannot support this option, and there are limitations to `macro support in refresh flows.

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A companion SmartDbgSym variable in modelsim.ini allows you to permanently enable or

disable this function. By default, the function is disabled and a debugging symbol file database
is generated for all design units.

Library Window Contents

Library contents can be viewed, deleted, recompiled, edited and so on using either the graphic
interface or command line.
The Library window provides access to design units (configurations, modules, packages,
entities, and architectures) in a library. Various information about the design units is displayed
in columns to the right of the design unit name.
Figure 4-2. Design Unit Information in the Workspace

The Library window has a popup menu with various commands that you access by clicking
your right mouse button.
The context menu includes the following commands:

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Simulate Loads the selected design unit(s) and opens Structure (sim) and Files
windows. Related command line command is vsim.

Edit Opens the selected design unit(s) in the Source window; or, if a library is
selected, opens the Edit Library Mapping dialog (refer to Map a Logical Name to a
Design Library).

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Refresh Rebuilds the library image of the selected library without using source code.
Related command line command is vcom or vlog with the -refresh argument.

Recompile Recompiles the selected design unit(s). Related command line command
is vcom or vlog.

Update Updates the display of available libraries and design units.

Map a Logical Name to a Design Library

VHDL uses logical library names that can be mapped to ModelSim library directories. By
default, ModelSim can find libraries in your current directory (assuming they have the right
name), but for it to find libraries located elsewhere, you need to map a logical library name to
the pathname of the library.
For Verilog and SystemVerilog libraries, the system searches for the mapping of a logical name
in the following order:

First the system looks for a modelsim.ini file.

If the system doesnt find a modelsim.ini file, or if the specified logical name does not
exist in the modelsim.ini file, the system searches the current working directory for a
subdirectory that matches the logical name.

The compiler generates an error if you specify a logical name that does not resolve to an
existing directory.
You can use the GUI, a command, or a project to assign a logical name to a design library. You
can also map multiple logical names to the same design library.

Library Mappings with the GUI

a. Select the library in the Library window,
b. Right-click your mouse
c. Select Edit from the context menu that appears. This brings up a dialog box that
allows you to edit the mapping.

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Figure 4-3. Edit Library Mapping Dialog

The dialog box includes these options:

Library Mapping Name The logical name of the library.

Library Pathname The pathname to the library.

Library Mapping from the Command Line

a. Use the vmap command. For example:
vmap <logical_name> <directory_pathname>

You may invoke this command from either a UNIX/DOS prompt or from the command
line within ModelSim.
The vmap command adds the mapping to the library section of the modelsim.ini file.

Modify the modelsim.ini manually

a. Open the modelsim.ini file with a text editor
b. Add a line under the [Library] section heading using the syntax:
<logical_name> = <directory_pathname>

Map more than one logical name to a single directory.

a. Open the modelsim.ini file with a text editor
b. Add a library logical name and pathname for the same library under the [Library]
section heading using the syntax. For example:
[Library]
work = /usr/rick/design
my_asic = /usr/rick/design

This would allow you to use either the logical name work or my_asic in a library or
use clause to refer to the same design library.

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You can also create a UNIX symbolic link to the library using the host platform
command. For example:
ln -s <directory_pathname> <logical_name>

The vmap command can also be used to display the mapping of a logical library name to a
directory. To do this, enter the shortened form of the command:
vmap <logical_name>

Related Topics
modelsim.ini Variables
vmap

Move a Library
Individual design units in a design library cannot be moved. An entire design library can be
moved, however, by using standard operating system commands for moving a directory or an
archive.

Setting Up Libraries for Group Use

By adding an others clause to your modelsim.ini file, you can have a hierarchy of library
mappings. If the tool does not find a mapping in the modelsim.ini file, then it will search the
[library] section of the initialization file specified by the others clause. For example:
[library]
asic_lib = /cae/asic_lib
work = my_work
others = /usr/modeltech/modelsim.ini

You can specify only one "others" clause in the library section of a given modelsim.ini file.
The others clause only instructs the tool to look in the specified modelsim.ini file for a library.
It does not load any other part of the specified file.
If there are two libraries with the same name mapped to two different locations one in the
current modelsim.ini file and the other specified by the "others" clause the mapping specified
in the current .ini file will take effect.

Verilog Resource Libraries

All modules and UDPs in a Verilog design must be compiled into one or more libraries. One
library is usually sufficient for a simple design, but you may want to organize your modules into
various libraries for a complex design. If your design uses different modules having the same

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Verilog Resource Libraries

name, then you need to put those modules in different libraries because design unit names must
be unique within a library.
The following is an example of how to organize your ASIC cells into one library and the rest of
your design into another:
% vlib work
% vlib asiclib
% vlog -work asiclib and2.v or2.v
-- Compiling module and2
-- Compiling module or2
Top level modules:
and2
or2
% vlog top.v
-- Compiling module top
Top level modules:
top

Note that the first compilation uses the -work asiclib argument to instruct the compiler to place
the results in the asiclib library rather than the default work library.

Library Search Rules and the vlog Command

Because instantiation bindings are not determined at compile time, you must instruct the
simulator to search your libraries when loading the design. The top-level modules are loaded
from the library named work unless you prefix the modules with the <library>. option. All other
Verilog instantiations are resolved in the following order.

Search libraries specified with -Lf arguments in the order they appear on the command
line.

Search the library specified in the Verilog-XL uselib Compiler Directive section.

Search the work library.

Search libraries specified with -L arguments in the order they appear on the command
line.

Search the library explicitly named in the special escaped identifier instance name.

Related Topics
SystemVerilog Multi-File Compilation

Handling Sub-Modules with the Same Name

Sometimes in one design you need to reference two different modules that have the same name.
This situation can occur if you have hierarchical modules organized into separate libraries, and

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you have commonly-named sub-modules in the libraries that have different definitions. This
may happen if you are using vendor-supplied libraries.
For example, say you have the following design configuration:
Figure 4-4. Sub-Modules with the Same Name
top
modA

modB

lib2:

lib1:
modA

modB

cellX

The normal library search rules do not work in this situation. For example, if you load the
design as follows:
vsim -L lib1 -L lib2 top

both instantiations of cellX resolve to the lib1 version of cellX. On the other hand, if you specify
-L lib2 -L lib1, both instantiations of cellX resolve to the lib2 version of cellX.
To handle this situation, ModelSim implements a special interpretation of the expression -L
work. When you specify -L work first in the search library arguments you are directing vsim to
search for the instantiated module or UDP in the library that contains the module that does the
instantiation.
In the example above you would invoke vsim as follows:
vsim -L work -L lib1 -L lib2 top

The LibrarySearchPath Variable

The LibrarySearchPath variable in the modelsim.ini file (in the [vlog] section) can be used to
define a space-separated list of resource library paths and/or library path variables. This
behavior is identical with the -L argument for the vlog command.
LibrarySearchPath = <path>/lib1 <path>/lib2 <path>/lib3

The default for LibrarySearchPath is:

LibrarySearchPath = mtiAvm mtiOvm mtiUvm mtiUPF

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VHDL Resource Libraries

Within a VHDL source file, you use the VHDL library clause to specify logical names of one
or more resource libraries to be referenced in the subsequent design unit. The scope of a library
clause includes the text region that starts immediately after the library clause and extends to the
end of the declarative region of the associated design unit. It does not extend to the next design
unit in the file.
Note that the library clause is not used to specify the working library into which the design unit
is placed after compilation. The vcom command adds compiled design units to the current
working library. By default, this is the library named work. To change the current working
library, you can use vcom -work and specify the name of the desired target library.

Predefined Libraries
Certain resource libraries are predefined in standard VHDL. The library named std contains the
packages standard, env, and textio, which should not be modified. The contents of these
packages and other aspects of the predefined language environment are documented in the IEEE
Standard VHDL Language Reference Manual, Std 1076.
A VHDL use clause can be specified to select particular declarations in a library or package that
are to be visible within a design unit during compilation. A use clause references the compiled
version of the packagenot the source.
By default, every VHDL design unit is assumed to contain the following declarations:
LIBRARY std, work;
USE std.standard.all

To specify that all declarations in a library or package can be referenced, add the suffix .all to
the library/package name. For example, the use clause above specifies that all declarations in
the package standard, in the design library named std, are to be visible to the VHDL design unit
immediately following the use clause. Other libraries or packages are not visible unless they are
explicitly specified using a library or use clause.
Another predefined library is work, the library where a design unit is stored after it is compiled
as described earlier. There is no limit to the number of libraries that can be referenced, but only
one library is modified during compilation.

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Alternate IEEE Libraries Supplied

The installation directory may contain two or more versions of the IEEE library.

ieeepure Contains only IEEE approved packages (accelerated for ModelSim).

ieee (default) Contains precompiled Synopsys and IEEE arithmetic packages which
have been accelerated for ModelSim including math_complex, math_real, numeric_bit,
numeric_std, std_logic_1164, std_logic_misc, std_logic_textio, std_logic_arith,
std_logic_signed, std_logic_unsigned, vital_primitives, and vital_timing.

You can select which library to use by changing the mapping in the modelsim.ini file.

Regenerating Your Design Libraries

Depending on your current ModelSim version, you may need to regenerate your design libraries
before running a simulation. Check the installation README file to see if your libraries require
an update.
By default, the work library is updated. An important feature of -refresh is that it rebuilds the
library image without using source code. This means that models delivered as compiled
libraries without source code can be rebuilt for a specific release of ModelSim. In general, this
works for moving forwards or backwards on a release. Moving backwards on a release may not
work if the models used compiler switches, directives, language constructs, or features that do
not exist in the older release.

Restrictions and Limitations

You don't need to regenerate the std, ieee, vital22b, and verilog libraries. Also, you cannot use
the -refresh option to update libraries that were built before the 4.6 release.
You may specify a specific design unit name with the -refresh argument to vcom and vlog in
order to regenerate a library image for only that design, but you may not specify a file name.

Procedure

From the GUI Library > Regenerate. Updates the work library.
From the command line:
o

VHDL design units in a library, use vcom with the -refresh argument. Updates the
work library.

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o

Verilog design units in a library, use vlog with the -refresh argument. Updates the
work library.

Update a different library. Use either vcom or vlog with the -work <library>
argument to update a different library. For example, if you have a library named mylib
that contains both VHDL and Verilog design units:
vcom -work mylib -refresh
vlog -work mylib -refresh

Related Topics
Library Window Contents
vcom
vlog

Importing FPGA Libraries

ModelSim includes an import wizard for referencing and using vendor FPGA libraries. The
wizard scans for and enforces dependencies in the libraries and determines the correct mappings
and target directories.

Prerequisites
The FPGA libraries you import must be pre-compiled. Most FPGA vendors supply precompiled libraries configured for use with ModelSim.

Procedure
1. Select File > Import > Library to open the Import Library Wizard. (Figure 4-5)

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Protect Source Code

Figure 4-5. Import Library Wizard

2. Follow the instructions in the wizard to complete the import.

Protect Source Code

The Protecting Your Source Code chapter provides details about protecting your internal model
data. This allows a model supplier to provide pre-compiled libraries without providing source
code and without revealing internal model variables and structure.

Related Topics
Protecting Your Source Code

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Chapter 5
VHDL Simulation
This chapter provides basic information on how to use VHDL for ModelSim simulation.

Basic VHDL Usage A brief outline of the steps for using VHDL in a ModelSim
design.

Compilation and Simulation of VHDL How to compile, optimize, and simulate a

VHDL design

The TextIO Package Using the TextIO package provided with ModelSim

VHDL Utilities Package (util) Using the special built-in utilities package (Util
Package) provided with ModelSim

Modeling Memory The advantages of using VHDL variables or protected types

instead of signals for memory designs.

VHDL Access Object Debugging Logging an access type variable will automatically
also log any designated objects that the variable value points to during simulation.

VITAL Usage and Compliance Implementation of the VITAL (VHDL Initiative

Towards ASIC Libraries) specification for ASIC modeling

Basic VHDL Usage

Using a VHDL design with ModelSim consists of running the vcom and vsim commands to
compile, load, and simulate. Note that you need to be familiar with any setup requirements for
running these commands, such as using the vlib command to create a design library.
The following basic sequence of steps summarizes this process:
1. Compile your VHDL code into one or more libraries using the vcom command. Refer to
Compilation of a VHDL Designthe vcom Command for more information.
2. Load your design with the vsim command. Refer to Simulation of a VHDL Designthe
vsim Command.
3. Simulate the loaded design, then debug as needed.

Compilation and Simulation of VHDL

The basic operations for using VHDL with ModelSim are establishing a library for compilation
results, compilation, and simulation.

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Creating a Design Library for VHDL

Before you can compile your VHDL source files, you must create a library in which to store the
compilation results.

Procedure
Use the vlib command to create a new library. For example:
vlib work

Results
Running the vlib command creates a library named work. By default, compilation results are
stored in the work library.
Caution
The work library is actually a subdirectory named work. This subdirectory contains a
special file named _info. Do not create a VHDL library as a directory by using a Linux,
Windows, or DOS commandalways use the vlib command.

Compilation of a VHDL Designthe vcom

Command
ModelSim compiles one or more VHDL design units with a single invocation of the vcom
command, which functions as the VHDL compiler. The design units are compiled in the order
that they appear on the command line. For VHDL, the order of compilation is importantyou
must compile any entities or configurations before an architecture that references them.
You can simulate a design written with any of the following versions of VHDL:

1076-1987
1076-1993
1076-2002
1076-2008

To do so you need to compile units from each VHDL version separately.

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The vcom command compiles using 1076 -2002 rules by default; use the -87, -93, or -2008
arguments to compile units written with version 1076-1987, 1076 -1993, or 1076-2008
respectively. You can also change the default by modifying the VHDL93 variable in the
modelsim.ini file (see modelsim.ini Variables for more information).
Note
Only a limited number of VHDL 1076-2008 constructs are currently supported.

Dependency Checking
You must re-analyze dependent design units when you change the design units they depend on
in the library. The vcom command determines whether or not the compilation results have
changed.
For example, if you keep an entity and its architectures in the same source file and you modify
only an architecture and recompile the source file, the entity compilation results will remain
unchanged. This means you do not have to recompile design units that depend on the entity.

VHDL Case Sensitivity

VHDL is a case-insensitive language for all basic identifiers. For example, clk and CLK are
regarded as the same name for a given signal or variable. This differs from the Verilog and
SystemVerilog languages, both of which are case-sensitive.
The vcom command preserves both uppercase and lowercase letters of all user-defined object
names in a VHDL source file.

Usage Notes

You can make the vcom command convert uppercase letters to lowercase by either of
the following methods:
o

Use the -lower argument with the vcom command.

Set the PreserveCase variable to 0 in your modelsim.ini file.

The supplied precompiled packages in STD and IEEE have their case preserved. This
results in slightly different version numbers for these packages. As a result, you may
receive out-of-date reference messages when refreshing to the current release. To
resolve this, use vcom -force_refresh instead of vcom -refresh.

Mixed language interactions

VHDL Simulation
Compilation and Simulation of VHDL

updated. Most assignments to signals update the signal anyway, and the more restrictive
requirement allows ModelSim to generate better error messages.

Subprogram Inlining
ModelSim attempts to inline subprograms at compile time to improve simulation performance.
This happens automatically and should be largely transparent. However, you can disable
automatic inlining two ways:

Invoke vcom with the -O0 or -O1 argument

Use the mti_inhibit_inline attribute as described below

Single-stepping through a simulation varies slightly, depending on whether inlining occurred.

When single-stepping to a subprogram call that has not been inlined, the simulator stops first at
the line of the call, and then proceeds to the line of the first executable statement in the called
subprogram. If the called subprogram has been inlined, the simulator does not first stop at the
subprogram call, but stops immediately at the line of the first executable statement.

mti_inhibit_inline Attribute
You can disable inlining for individual design units (a package, architecture, or entity) or
subprograms with the mti_inhibit_inline attribute. Follow these rules to use the attribute:

Declare the attribute within the design unit's scope as follows:

attribute mti_inhibit_inline : boolean;

Assign the value true to the attribute for the appropriate scope. For example, to inhibit
inlining for a particular function (for example, "foo"), add the following attribute
assignment:
attribute mti_inhibit_inline of foo : procedure is true;

To inhibit inlining for a particular package (for example, "pack"), add the following
attribute assignment:
attribute mti_inhibit_inline of pack : package is true;

Do similarly for entities and architectures.

Simulation of a VHDL Designthe vsim Command

A VHDL design is ready for simulation after it has been compiled with vcomYou can then use
the vsim command to invoke the simulator with the name(s) of the configuration or
entity/architecture pair.

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Note
This section discusses invoking simulation from the command line (in UNIX or
Windows/DOS). Alternatively, you can also use a project to simulate (see Getting Started
with Projects) or use the Start Simulation dialog box (choose Simulate > Start
Simulation from the main menu).
The following example uses the vsim command to begin simulation on a design unit that has an
entity named my_asic and an architecture named structure:
vsim my_asic structure

Timing Specification
The vsim command can annotate a design using VITAL-compliant models with timing data
from an SDF file. You can specify delay by invoking vsim with the -sdfmin, -sdftyp, or -sdfmax
arguments.
The following example uses an SDF file named f1.sdf in the current work directory, and an
invocation of vsim annotating maximum timing values for the design unit my_asic:
vsim -sdfmax /my_asic=f1.sdf my_asic

By default, the timing checks within VITAL models are enabled (refer to VITAL Usage and
Compliance). You can disable them with the +notimingchecks argument. For example:
vsim +notimingchecks topmod

If you specify vsim +notimingchecks, the generic TimingChecksOn is set to FALSE for all
VITAL models with the Vital_level0 or Vital_level1 attribute. Setting this generic to FALSE
disables the actual calls to the timing checks along with anything else that is present in the
model's timing check block. In addition, if these models use the generic TimingChecksOn to
control behavior beyond timing checks, this behavior will not occur. This can cause designs to
simulate differently and provide different results.

Usage Characteristics and Requirements

ModelSim supports the use of VHDL in compliance with the IEEE Standard VHDL Language
Reference Manual (IEEE Std 1076), which was originally adopted in 1987. This standard has
undergone several revisions, each of which is identified by a suffix indicating the year of its
approval by the IEEE. There are considerations in using VHDL with ModelSim that are not
explicitly covered by the Language Reference Manual (LRM).

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Differences Between Supported Versions of the

VHDL Standard
There are four versions of the VHDL standard (IEEE Std 1076). each consisting of the standard
in effect in the year it was approved by the IEEE: 1076-1987, 1076-1993, 1076-2002, and 10762008. The default language version supported for ModelSim is 1076-2002.
If your VHDL design was written according to the 1987, 1993, or 2008 version, you may need
to update your code or instruct ModelSim to use rules for different version.
To select a specific language version, do one of the following:

Select the appropriate version from the compiler options menu in the GUI
Invoke vcom using the argument -87, -93, -2002, or -2008.
Set the VHDL93 variable in the [vcom] section of the modelsim.ini file to one of the
following values:
- 0, 87, or 1987 for 1076-1987
- 1, 93, or 1993 for 1076-1993
- 2, 02, or 2002 for 1076-2002
- 3, 08, or 2008 for 1076-2008

Incompatibilities Among Versions of the VHDL Standard

The following is a list of language incompatibilities that may cause problems when compiling a
design.
Refer to ModelSim Release Notes for the most current and comprehensive description of
differences between supported versions of the VHDL standard.

VHDL-93 and VHDL-2002 The only major problem between VHDL-93 and
VHDL-2002 is the addition of the keyword "PROTECTED". VHDL-93 programs
which use this as an identifier should choose a different name.
All other incompatibilities are between VHDL-87 and VHDL-93.

VITAL and SDF It is important to use the correct language version for VITAL.
VITAL2000 must be compiled with VHDL-93 or VHDL-2002. VITAL95 must be
compiled with VHDL-87. A typical error message that indicates the need to compile
under language version VHDL-87 is:
"VITALPathDelay DefaultDelay parameter must be locally static"

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Purity of now function In VHDL-93, the function "now" is impure. Consequently,

any function that invokes "now" must also be declared to be impure. Such calls to "now"
occur in VITAL. A typical error message:
"Cannot call impure function 'now' from inside pure function
'<name>'"

Files File syntax and usage changed between VHDL-87 and VHDL-93. In many
cases vcom issues a warning and continues:
"Using 1076-1987 syntax for file declaration."

In addition, when files are passed as parameters, the following warning message is
produced:
"Subprogram parameter name is declared using VHDL 1987 syntax."

This message often involves calls to endfile(<name>) where <name> is a file parameter.

Files and packages Each package header and body should be compiled with the
same language version. Common problems in this area involve files as parameters and
the size of type CHARACTER. For example, consider a package header and body with
a procedure that has a file parameter:
procedure proc1 ( out_file : out std.textio.text) ...

If you compile the package header with VHDL-87 and the body with VHDL-93 or
VHDL-2002, you will get an error message such as:
"** Error: mixed_package_b.vhd(4): Parameter kinds do not conform
between declarations in package header and body: 'out_file'."

Direction of concatenation To solve some technical problems, the rules for

direction and bounds of concatenation were changed from VHDL-87 to VHDL-93. You
won't see any difference in simple variable/signal assignments such as:
v1 := a & b;

But if you (1) have a function that takes an unconstrained array as a parameter, (2) pass
a concatenation expression as a formal argument to this parameter, and (3) the body of
the function makes assumptions about the direction or bounds of the parameter, then you
will get unexpected results. This may be a problem in environments that assume all
arrays have "downto" direction.

xnor "xnor" is a reserved word in VHDL-93. If you declare an xnor function in

VHDL-87 (without quotes) and compile it under VHDL-2002, you will get an error
message like the following:
** Error: xnor.vhd(3): near "xnor": expecting: STRING IDENTIFIER

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'FOREIGN attribute In VHDL-93 package STANDARD declares an attribute

'FOREIGN. If you declare your own attribute with that name in another package, then
ModelSim issues a warning such as the following:
-- Compiling package foopack
** Warning: foreign.vhd(9): (vcom-1140) VHDL-1993 added a definition
of the attribute foreign to package std.standard. The attribute is
also defined in package 'standard'. Using the definition from
package 'standard'.

Size of CHARACTER type In VHDL-87 type CHARACTER has 128 values; in

VHDL-93 it has 256 values. Code which depends on this size will behave incorrectly.
This situation occurs most commonly in test suites that check VHDL functionality. It's
unlikely to occur in practical designs. A typical instance is the replacement of warning
message:
"range nul downto del is null"

by
"range nul downto '' is null" -- range is nul downto y(umlaut)

bit string literals In VHDL-87 bit string literals are of type bit_vector. In VHDL-93
they can also be of type STRING or STD_LOGIC_VECTOR. This implies that some
expressions that are unambiguous in VHDL-87 now become ambiguous is VHDL-93. A
typical error message is:
** Error: bit_string_literal.vhd(5): Subprogram '=' is ambiguous.
Suitable definitions exist in packages 'std_logic_1164' and
'standard'.

Sub-element association In VHDL-87 when using individual sub-element

association in an association list, associating individual sub-elements with NULL is
discouraged. In VHDL-93 such association is forbidden. A typical message is:
"Formal '<name>' must not be associated with OPEN when subelements
are associated individually."

VHDL-2008 packages ModelSim does not provide VHDL source for VHDL-2008
IEEE-defined standard packages because of copyright restrictions. You can obtain
VHDL source from http://standards.ieee.org//downloads/1076/1076-2008/ for the
following packages:
IEEE.fixed_float_types
IEEE.fixed_generic_pkg
IEEE.fixed_pkg
IEEE.float_generic_pkg
IEEE.float_pkg
IEEE.MATH_REAL
IEEE.MATH_COMPLEX
IEEE.NUMERIC_BIT
IEEE.NUMERIC_BIT_UNSIGNED
IEEE.NUMERIC_STD

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Usage Characteristics and Requirements
IEEE.NUMERIC_STD_UNSIGNED
IEEE.std_logic_1164
IEEE.std_logic_textio

Naming Behavior of VHDL for Generate Blocks

When you specify the RequireConfigForAllDefaultBinding, ModelSim requires the user to

provide a configuration specification or component configuration in order to bind an entity with
an architecture. You must explicitly bind all components in the design through either
configuration specifications or configurations. If an explicit binding is not fully specified,
defaults for the architecture, port maps, and generic maps will be used as needed.

Delta Delays
Event-based simulators such as ModelSim may process many events at a given simulation time.
Multiple signals may need updating, statements that are sensitive to these signals must be
executed, and any new events that result from these statements must then be queued and
executed as well. The steps taken to evaluate the design without advancing simulation time are
referred to as "delta times" or just "deltas."
Figure 5-1 illustrates the process for VHDL designs. This process continues until the end of
simulation time.
Figure 5-1. VHDL Delta Delay Process
Execute concurrent
statements at
current time

Advance simulation
time

Advance delta time

Any transactions to
process?
Yes
Any events to
process?

Yes
Execute concurrent
statements that are
sensitive to events

This mechanism in event-based simulators may cause unexpected results. Consider the
following code fragment:

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clk2 <= clk;
process (rst, clk)
begin
if(rst = '0')then
s0 <= '0';
elsif(clk'event and clk='1') then
s0 <= inp;
end if;
end process;
process (rst, clk2)
begin
if(rst = '0')then
s1 <= '0';
elsif(clk2'event and clk2='1') then
s1 <= s0;
end if;
end process;

In this example , there are two synchronous processes, one triggered with clk and the other with
clk2. Consider the unexpected situation of the signals changing in the clk2 process on the same
edge as they are set in the clk process. As a result, the value of inp appears at s1 rather than s0.
During simulation an event on clk occurs (from the test bench). From this event, ModelSim
performs the "clk2 <= clk" assignment and the process which is sensitive to clk. Before
advancing the simulation time, ModelSim finds that the process sensitive to clk2 can also be
run. Since there are no delays present, the effect is that the value of inp appears at s1 in the same
simulation cycle.
In order to correct this and get the expected results, you must do one of the following:

Insert a delay at every output

Make certain to use the same clock
Insert a delta delay

To insert a delta delay, you would modify the code like this:
process (rst, clk)
begin
if(rst = 0)then
s0 <= 0;
elsif(clkevent and clk=1) then
s0 <= inp;
end if;
end process;
s0_delayed <= s0;
process (rst, clk2)
begin
if(rst = 0)then
s1 <= 0;

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elsif(clk2event and clk2=1) then
s1 <= s0_delayed;
end if;
end process;

The best way to debug delta delay problems is observe your signals in the Wave Window or
List Window. There you can see how values change at each delta time.

Detecting Infinite Zero-Delay Loops

If a large number of deltas occur without advancing time, it is usually a symptom of an infinite
zero-delay loop in the design. In order to detect the presence of these loops, ModelSim defines a
limit, the iteration limit", on the number of successive deltas that can occur. When ModelSim
reaches the iteration limit, it issues a warning message.
The iteration limit default value is 1000. If you receive an iteration limit warning, first increase
the iteration limit and try to continue simulation. You can set the iteration limit from the
Simulate > Runtime Options menu or by modifying the IterationLimit variable in the
modelsim.ini. See modelsim.ini Variables for more information on modifying the modelsim.ini
file.
If the problem persists, look for zero-delay loops. Run the simulation and look at the source
code when the error occurs. Use the step button to step through the code and see which signals
or variables are continuously oscillating. Two common causes are a loop that has no exit, or a
series of gates with zero delay where the outputs are connected back to the inputs.

The TextIO Package

The TextIO package for VHDL is defined within the IEEE Std 1076-2002, IEEE Standard
VHDL Language Reference Manual. This package allows human-readable text input from a
declared source within a VHDL file during simulation.
To access the routines in TextIO, include the following statement in your VHDL source code:
USE std.textio.all;

A simple example using the package TextIO is:

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USE std.textio.all;
ENTITY simple_textio IS
END;
ARCHITECTURE simple_behavior OF simple_textio IS
BEGIN
PROCESS
VARIABLE i: INTEGER:= 42;
VARIABLE LLL: LINE;
BEGIN
WRITE (LLL, i);
WRITELINE (OUTPUT, LLL);
WAIT;
END PROCESS;
END simple_behavior;

Syntax for File Declaration

The syntax supported for Text IO can vary according to the version of IEEE Std 1076 you are
using.
For IEEE Std 1076-1987, the supported syntax for a file declaration is the following:
file identifier : subtype_indication is [ mode ]

file_logical_name ;

where "file_logical_name" must be a string expression.

For newer versions of IEEE Std 1076, supported syntax for a file declaration is the following:
file identifier_list : subtype_indication [ file_open_information ] ;

where "file_open_information" is:

[open file_open_kind_expression] is file_logical_name

You can specify a full or relative path as the file_logical_name. For example (VHDL 1987):
file filename : TEXT is in "usr\rick\myfile";

Normally, if a file is declared within an architecture, process, or package, the file is opened
when you start the simulator and is closed when you exit from it. If a file is declared in a
subprogram, the file is opened when the subprogram is called and closed when execution
RETURNs from the subprogram.
Alternatively, you can delay the opening of files until the first read or write by setting the
DelayFileOpen variable in the modelsim.ini file. Also, you can control the number of
concurrently open files with the ConcurrentFileLimit variable. These variables help you
manage a large number of files during simulation. See modelsim.ini Variables for more details.

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STD_INPUT and STD_OUTPUT Within ModelSim

STD_INPUT is a file_logical_name that refers to characters that are entered interactively from
the keyboard, and STD_OUTPUT refers to text that is displayed on the screen. The syntax
supported for STD_INPUT and STD_OUTPUT for Text IO can vary according to the version
of IEEE Std 1076 you are using.
In ModelSim, reading from the STD_INPUT file allows you to enter text into the current buffer
from a prompt in the Transcript pane. The lines written to the STD_OUTPUT file appear in the
Transcript.
For IEEE Std 1076-1987, TextIO package contains the following file declarations:
file input: TEXT is in "STD_INPUT";
file output: TEXT is out "STD_OUTPUT";

For newer versions of IEEE Std 1076, TextIO package contains these file declarations:
file input: TEXT open read_mode is "STD_INPUT";
file output: TEXT open write_mode is "STD_OUTPUT";

TextIO Implementation Issues

Some aspects of using TextIO with ModelSim are not fully supported or can have ambiguous
implementations.

WRITE Procedures for Strings and Aggregates

A common error in VHDL source code occurs when a call to a WRITE procedure does not
specify whether the argument is of type STRING or BIT_VECTOR. For example, the VHDL
procedure:
WRITE (L, "hello");

will cause the following error:

ERROR: Subprogram "WRITE" is ambiguous.

In the TextIO package, the WRITE procedure is overloaded for the types STRING and
BIT_VECTOR. These lines are reproduced here:
procedure WRITE(L: inout LINE; VALUE: in BIT_VECTOR;
JUSTIFIED: in SIDE:= RIGHT; FIELD: in WIDTH := 0);
procedure WRITE(L: inout LINE; VALUE: in STRING;
JUSTIFIED: in SIDE:= RIGHT; FIELD: in WIDTH := 0);

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The error occurs because the argument "hello" could be interpreted as a string or a bit vector,
but the compiler is not allowed to determine the argument type until it knows which function is
being called.
The following procedure call also generates an error:
WRITE (L, "010101");

This call is even more ambiguous, because the compiler could not determine, even if allowed to,
whether the argument "010101" should be interpreted as a string or a bit vector.
There are two possible solutions to this problem:

Use a qualified expression to specify the type, as in:

WRITE (L, string("hello"));

Call a procedure that is not overloaded, as in:

WRITE_STRING (L, "hello");

The WRITE_STRING procedure simply defines the value to be a STRING and calls the
WRITE procedure, but it serves as a shell around the WRITE procedure that solves the
overloading problem. For further details, refer to the WRITE_STRING procedure in the io_utils
package, which is located in the file
<install_dir>/modeltech/examples/vhdl/io_utils/io_utils.vhd.

Reading and Writing Hexadecimal Numbers

The reading and writing of hexadecimal numbers is not specified in standard VHDL. The Issues
Screening and Analysis Committee of the VHDL Analysis and Standardization Group (ISACVASG) has specified that the TextIO package reads and writes only decimal numbers.
To expand this functionality, ModelSim supplies hexadecimal routines in the package io_utils,
which is located in the file <install_dir>/modeltech/examples/gui/io_utils.vhd. To use these
routines, compile the io_utils package and then include the following use clauses in your VHDL
source code:
use std.textio.all;
use work.io_utils.all;

Dangling Pointers
Dangling pointers are easily created when using the TextIO package, because WRITELINE deallocates the access type (pointer) that is passed to it. Following are examples of good and bad
VHDL coding styles:
Bad VHDL (because L1 and L2 both point to the same buffer):

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READLINE (infile, L1);
L2 := L1;
WRITELINE (outfile, L1);

-- Read and allocate buffer

-- Copy pointers
-- Deallocate buffer

Good VHDL (because L1 and L2 point to different buffers):

READLINE (infile, L1);
L2 := new string(L1.all);
WRITELINE (outfile, L1);

-- Read and allocate buffer

-- Copy contents
-- Deallocate buffer

The ENDLINE Function

The ENDLINE function described in the IEEE Std 1076-2002, IEEE Standard VHDL
Language Reference Manual contains invalid VHDL syntax and cannot be implemented in
VHDL. This is because access values must be passed as variables, but functions do not allow
variable parameters.
Based on an ISAC-VASG recommendation the ENDLINE function has been removed from the
TextIO package. The following test may be substituted for this function:
(L = NULL) OR (LLENGTH = 0)

The ENDFILE Function

In the VHDL Language Reference Manuals, the ENDFILE function is listed as:
-- function ENDFILE (L: in TEXT) return BOOLEAN;

Note tht this function is commented out of the standard TextIO package. This is because the
ENDFILE function is implicitly declared, so you can use it with files of any type, not just files
of type TEXT.

Alternative Input/Output Files

You can use the TextIO package to read and write to your own files. To do this, just declare an
input or output file of type TEXT. The following examples show how to do this for an input file.
The VHDL1987 declaration is:
file myinput : TEXT is in "pathname.dat";

The VHDL1993 declaration is:

file myinput : TEXT open read_mode is "pathname.dat";

After making these declarations, you then include the identifier for this file ("myinput" in this
example) in the READLINE or WRITELINE procedure call.
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The TEXTIO Buffer

Flushing of the TEXTIO buffer depends on whether VHDL files are open for writing.
The status is controlled by the UnbufferedOutput variable in the modelsim.ini file, which you
can turn on (1) or off (0, default).

Input Stimulus to a Design

You can provide an input stimulus to a design by reading data vectors from a file and assigning
their values to signals. You can then verify the results of this input.
A VHDL test bench has been included as part of the ModelSim installation as an example.
Check for this file in your installation directory:
<install_dir>/examples/gui/stimulus.vhd

VITAL Usage and Compliance

The VITAL (VHDL Initiative Towards ASIC Libraries) modeling specification is sponsored by
the IEEE to promote the development of highly accurate, efficient simulation models for ASIC
(Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) components in VHDL.
The IEEE Std 1076.4-2000, IEEE Standard for VITAL ASIC Modeling Specification is available
from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
IEEE Customer Service
445 Hoes Lane
Piscataway, NJ 08854-1331
Tel: (732) 981-0060
Fax: (732) 981-1721
http://www.ieee.org

VITAL Source Code

The source code for VITAL packages is provided in the following ModelSim installation
directories:
/<install_dir>/vhdl_src/vital22b
/vital95
/vital2000

VITAL 1995 and 2000 Packages

VITAL 2000 accelerated packages are pre-compiled into the ieee library in the installation
directory. VITAL 1995 accelerated packages are pre-compiled into the vital1995 library. If you

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need to use the older library, you either need to change the ieee library mapping or add a use
clause to your VHDL code to access the VITAL 1995 packages.
To change the ieee library mapping, run the following vmap command:
vmap ieee <modeltech>/vital1995

Or, alternatively, you can add use clauses to your code:

LIBRARY vital1995;
USE vital1995.vital_primitives.all;
USE vital1995.vital_timing.all;
USE vital1995.vital_memory.all;

Note that if your design uses two librariesone that depends on vital95 and one that depends
on vital2000then you will have to change the references in the source code to vital2000.
Changing the library mapping will not work.
ModelSim VITAL built-ins are generally updated as new releases of the VITAL packages
become available.

VITAL Compliance
A simulator is VITAL-compliant if it implements the SDF mapping and if it correctly simulates
designs using the VITAL packagesas outlined in the VITAL Model Development
Specification. ModelSim is compliant with IEEE Std 1076.4-2002, IEEE Standard for VITAL
ASIC Modeling Specification. In addition, ModelSim accelerates the VITAL_Timing,
VITAL_Primitives, and VITAL_memory packages. The optimized procedures are functionally
equivalent to the IEEE Std 1076.4 VITAL ASIC Modeling Specification (VITAL 1995 and
2000).

VITAL Compliance Checking

If you are using VITAL 2.2b, you must turn off the compliance checking either by not setting
the attributes, or by invoking vcom with the argument -novitalcheck.

Compiling and Simulating with Accelerated VITAL

Packages
When you run the vcom command, ModelSim automatically recognizes that a VITAL function
is being referenced from the ieee library and generates code to call the optimized built-in
routines.
If you do not want to use the built-in VITAL routines (when debugging for instance), invoke
vcom with the -novital argument. The -novital switch only affects calls to VITAL functions
from the design units currently being compiled. Pre-compiled design units referenced from the

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current design units will still call the built-in functions unless they too are compiled with the
-novital argument.

To exclude all VITAL functions, use -novital all. For example:

vcom -novital all design.vhd

To exclude selected VITAL functions, use one or more -novital <fname> arguments.
For example:
vcom -novital VitalTimingCheck -novital VitalAND design.vhd

VHDL Utilities Package (util)

The util package contains various VHDL utilities that you can run as ModelSim commands.
The package is part of the modelsim_lib library, which is located in the /modeltech tree of your
installation directory and is mapped in the default modelsim.ini file.
To include the utilities in this package, add the following lines similar to your VHDL code:
library modelsim_lib;
use modelsim_lib.util.all;

get_resolution
The get_resolution utility returns the current simulator resolution as a real number. For
example, a resolution of 1 femtosecond (1 fs) corresponds to 1e-15.

Syntax
resval := get_resolution;

Arguments
None

Return Values
Name

Type

Description

resval

real

The simulator resolution represented as a

real

Related functions

to_real()
to_time()

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Examples
If the simulator resolution is set to 10ps, and you invoke the command:
resval := get_resolution;

the value returned to resval would be 1e-11.

init_signal_driver()
The init_signal_driver() utility drives the value of a VHDL signal or Verilog net onto an
existing VHDL signal or Verilog net. This allows you to drive signals or nets at any level of the
design hierarchy from within a VHDL architecture (such as a test bench).
See init_signal_driver for complete details.

init_signal_spy()
The init_signal_spy() utility mirrors the value of a VHDL signal or Verilog register/net onto an
existing VHDL signal or Verilog register. This allows you to reference signals, registers, or nets
at any level of hierarchy from within a VHDL architecture (such as a test bench).
See init_signal_spy for complete details.

signal_force()
The signal_force() utility forces the value specified onto an existing VHDL signal or Verilog
register or net. This allows you to force signals, registers, or nets at any level of the design
hierarchy from within a VHDL architecture (such as a test bench). A signal_force works the
same as the force command when you set the modelsim.ini variable named ForceSigNextIter to
1. The variable ForceSigNextIter in the modelsim.ini file can be set to honor the signal update
event in next iteration for all force types. Note that the signal_force utility cannot issue a
repeating force.
See signal_force for complete details.

signal_release()
The signal_release() utility releases any force that was applied to an existing VHDL signal or
Verilog register or net. This allows you to release signals, registers, or nets at any level of the
design hierarchy from within a VHDL architecture (such as a test bench). A signal_release
works the same as the noforce command.
See signal_release for complete details.

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to_real()
The to_real() utility converts the physical type time value into a real value with respect to the
current value of simulator resolution. The precision of the converted value is determined by the
simulator resolution.
For example, if you were converting 1900 fs to a real and the simulator resolution was ps, then
the real value would be rounded to 2.0 (that is, 2 ps).

Syntax
realval := to_real(timeval);

Returns
Name

Type

Description

realval

real

The time value represented as a real with

respect to the simulator resolution

Name

Type

Description

timeval

time

The value of the physical type time

Arguments

Related functions

get_resolution
to_time()

Examples
If the simulator resolution is set to ps, and you enter the following function:
realval := to_real(12.99 ns);

then the value returned to realval would be 12990.0. If you wanted the returned value to be in
units of nanoseconds (ns) instead, you would use the get_resolution function to recalculate the
value:
realval := 1e+9 * (to_real(12.99 ns)) * get_resolution();

If you wanted the returned value to be in units of femtoseconds (fs), you would enter the
function this way:
realval := 1e+15 * (to_real(12.99 ns)) * get_resolution();

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to_time()
The to_time() utility converts a real value into a time value with respect to the current simulator
resolution. The precision of the converted value is determined by the simulator resolution. For
example, if you converted 5.9 to a time and the simulator resolution was 1 ps, then the time
value would be rounded to 6 ps.

Syntax
timeval := to_time(realval);

Returns
Name

Type

Description

timeval

time

The real value represented as a physical

type time with respect to the simulator
resolution

Name

Type

Description

realval

real

The value of the type real

Arguments

Related functions

get_resolution
to_real()

Examples
If the simulator resolution is set to 1 ps, and you enter the following function:
timeval := to_time(72.49);

then the value returned to timeval would be 72 ps.

Modeling Memory
If you want to model a memory with VHDL using signals, you may encounter either of the
following common problems with simulation:

142

Memory allocation error, which typically means the simulator ran out of memory and
failed to allocate enough storage.

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These problems usually result from the fact that signals consume a substantial amount of
memory (many dozens of bytes per bit), all of which must be loaded or initialized before your
simulation starts.
As an alternative, you can model a memory design using variables or protected types instead of
signals, which provides the following performance benefits:

Reduced storage required to model the memory, by as much as one or two orders of
magnitude

Reduced startup and run times

Elimination of associated memory allocation errors

Examples of Different Memory Models

You should avoid using VHDL signals to model memory. For large memories especially, the
run time for a VHDL model using a signal is many times longer than using variables in the
memory process or as part of the architecture. A signal also uses and uses much more memory.
Example 5-1 shown below uses different VHDL architectures for the entity named memory to
provide the following models for storing RAM:

bad_style_87 uses a VHDL signal

style_87 uses variables in the memory process
style_93 uses variables in the architecture

To implement this model, you will need functions that convert vectors to integers. To use it, you
will probably need to convert integers to vectors.

Converting an Integer Into a bit_vector

The following code shows how to convert an integer variable into a bit_vector.

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library ieee;
use ieee.numeric_bit.ALL;
entity test is
end test;
architecture only of test is
signal s1 : bit_vector(7 downto 0);
signal int : integer := 45;
begin
p:process
begin
wait for 10 ns;
s1 <= bit_vector(to_signed(int,8));
end process p;
end only;

Examples Using VHDL1987, VHDL1993, and VHDL2002

Architectures
The VHDL code for the examples demonstrating the approaches to modeling memory are
provided below.

Example 5-1 contains two VHDL architectures that demonstrate recommended memory
models: style_93 uses shared variables as part of a process, style_87 uses For
comparison, a third architecture, bad_style_87, shows the use of signals.
The style_87 and style_93 architectures work with equal efficiency for this example.
However, VHDL 1993 offers additional flexibility because the RAM storage can be
shared among multiple processes. This example shows a second process that initializes
the memoryyou could add other processes to create a multi-ported memory.

Example 5-2 is a package (named conversions) that is included by the memory model in
Example 5-1.

Example 5-3 is provided for completenessit shows protected types using VHDL 2002.
Note that using protected types offers no advantage over shared variables.

Example 5-1. Memory Model Using VHDL87 and VHDL93 Architectures

Example functions are provided below in package conversions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source:
memory.vhd
-- Component: VHDL synchronous, single-port RAM
-- Remarks:
Provides three different architectures
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

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library ieee;
use ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
use work.conversions.all;
entity memory is
generic(add_bits : integer := 12;
data_bits : integer := 32);
port(add_in : in std_ulogic_vector(add_bits-1 downto 0);
data_in : in std_ulogic_vector(data_bits-1 downto 0);
data_out : out std_ulogic_vector(data_bits-1 downto 0);
cs, mwrite : in std_ulogic;
do_init : in std_ulogic);
subtype word is std_ulogic_vector(data_bits-1 downto 0);
constant nwords : integer := 2 ** add_bits;
type ram_type is array(0 to nwords-1) of word;
end;
architecture style_93 of memory is
-----------------------------shared variable ram : ram_type;
-----------------------------begin
memory:
process (cs)
variable address : natural;
begin
if rising_edge(cs) then
address := sulv_to_natural(add_in);
if (mwrite = '1') then
ram(address) := data_in;
end if;
data_out <= ram(address);
end if;
end process memory;
-- illustrates a second process using the shared variable
initialize:
process (do_init)
variable address : natural;
begin
if rising_edge(do_init) then
for address in 0 to nwords-1 loop
ram(address) := data_in;
end loop;
end if;
end process initialize;
end architecture style_93;

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SHARED VARIABLE memory : mem_type;

BEGIN
ASSERT data_width <= 32
REPORT "### Illegal data width detected"
SEVERITY failure;
control_proc : PROCESS (inclk, outclk)
BEGIN
IF (inclk'event AND inclk = '1') THEN
IF (we = '1') THEN
memory.write(data_in, addr);
END IF;
END IF;
IF (outclk'event AND outclk = '1') THEN
data_out <= memory.read(addr);
END IF;
END PROCESS;
END intarch;
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source:
ram_tb.vhd
-- Component: VHDL test bench for RAM memory example
-- Remarks:
Simple VHDL example: random access memory (RAM)
------------------------------------------------------------------------LIBRARY ieee;
USE ieee.std_logic_1164.ALL;
USE ieee.numeric_std.ALL;
ENTITY ram_tb IS
END ram_tb;
ARCHITECTURE testbench OF ram_tb IS
-------------------------------------------- Component declaration single-port RAM
------------------------------------------COMPONENT sp_syn_ram_protected
GENERIC (
data_width : positive := 8;
addr_width : positive := 3
);
PORT (
inclk
: IN std_logic;
outclk
: IN std_logic;
we
: IN std_logic;
addr
: IN unsigned(addr_width-1 DOWNTO 0);
data_in : IN std_logic_vector(data_width-1 DOWNTO 0);
data_out : OUT std_logic_vector(data_width-1 DOWNTO 0)
);
END COMPONENT;
-------------------------------------------

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-- Intermediate signals and constants
------------------------------------------SIGNAL
addr
: unsigned(19 DOWNTO 0);
SIGNAL
inaddr
: unsigned(3 DOWNTO 0);
SIGNAL
outaddr : unsigned(3 DOWNTO 0);
SIGNAL
data_in : unsigned(31 DOWNTO 0);
SIGNAL
data_in1 : std_logic_vector(7 DOWNTO 0);
SIGNAL
data_sp1 : std_logic_vector(7 DOWNTO 0);
SIGNAL
we
: std_logic;
SIGNAL
clk
: std_logic;
CONSTANT clk_pd
: time := 100 ns;

BEGIN
---------------------------------------------------- instantiations of single-port RAM architectures.
-- All architectures behave equivalently, but they
-- have different implementations. The signal-based
-- architecture (rtl) is not a recommended style.
--------------------------------------------------spram1 : entity work.sp_syn_ram_protected
GENERIC MAP (
data_width => 8,
addr_width => 12)
PORT MAP (
inclk
=> clk,
outclk
=> clk,
we
=> we,
addr
=> addr(11 downto 0),
data_in => data_in1,
data_out => data_sp1);
-------------------------------------------- clock generator
------------------------------------------clock_driver : PROCESS
BEGIN
clk <= '0';
WAIT FOR clk_pd / 2;
LOOP
clk <= '1', '0' AFTER clk_pd / 2;
WAIT FOR clk_pd;
END LOOP;
END PROCESS;
-------------------------------------------- data-in process
------------------------------------------datain_drivers : PROCESS(data_in)
BEGIN
data_in1 <= std_logic_vector(data_in(7 downto 0));
END PROCESS;
-------------------------------------------- simulation control process
------------------------------------------ctrl_sim : PROCESS

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BEGIN
FOR i IN 0 TO 1023 LOOP
we
<= '1';
data_in <= to_unsigned(9000 + i, data_in'length);
addr
<= to_unsigned(i, addr'length);
inaddr
<= to_unsigned(i, inaddr'length);
outaddr <= to_unsigned(i, outaddr'length);
WAIT UNTIL clk'EVENT AND clk = '0';
WAIT UNTIL clk'EVENT AND clk = '0';
data_in <= to_unsigned(7 + i,
addr
<= to_unsigned(1 + i,
inaddr
<= to_unsigned(1 + i,
WAIT UNTIL clk'EVENT AND clk =
WAIT UNTIL clk'EVENT AND clk =

data_in'length);
addr'length);
inaddr'length);
'0';
'0';

data_in <= to_unsigned(3, data_in'length);

addr
<= to_unsigned(2 + i, addr'length);
inaddr
<= to_unsigned(2 + i, inaddr'length);
WAIT UNTIL clk'EVENT AND clk = '0';
WAIT UNTIL clk'EVENT AND clk = '0';
data_in <= to_unsigned(30330,
addr
<= to_unsigned(3 + i,
inaddr
<= to_unsigned(3 + i,
WAIT UNTIL clk'EVENT AND clk =
WAIT UNTIL clk'EVENT AND clk =

data_in'length);
addr'length);
inaddr'length);
'0';
'0';

we
<= '0';
addr
<= to_unsigned(i, addr'length);
outaddr <= to_unsigned(i, outaddr'length);
WAIT UNTIL clk'EVENT AND clk = '0';
WAIT UNTIL clk'EVENT AND clk = '0';
addr
<= to_unsigned(1 + i,
outaddr <= to_unsigned(1 + i,
WAIT UNTIL clk'EVENT AND clk =
WAIT UNTIL clk'EVENT AND clk =

addr'length);
outaddr'length);
'0';
'0';

addr
<= to_unsigned(2 + i,
outaddr <= to_unsigned(2 + i,
WAIT UNTIL clk'EVENT AND clk =
WAIT UNTIL clk'EVENT AND clk =

addr'length);
outaddr'length);
'0';
'0';

addr
<= to_unsigned(3 + i,
outaddr <= to_unsigned(3 + i,
WAIT UNTIL clk'EVENT AND clk =
WAIT UNTIL clk'EVENT AND clk =

addr'length);
outaddr'length);
'0';
'0';

END LOOP;
ASSERT false
REPORT "### End of Simulation!"
SEVERITY failure;
END PROCESS;
END testbench;

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Effects on Performance by Cancelling Scheduled

Events
Simulation performance is likely to get worse if events are scheduled far into the future but then
cancelled before they take effect. This situation acts like a memory leak and slows down
simulation.
In VHDL, this situation can occur several ways. The most common are waits with time-out
clauses and projected waveforms in signal assignments.
The following shows a wait with a time-out:
signal synch : bit := '0';
...
p: process
begin
wait for 10 ms until synch = 1;
end process;
synch <= not synch after 10 ns;

At time 0, process p makes an event for time 10ms. When synch goes to 1 at 10 ns, the event at
10 ms is marked as cancelled but not deleted, and a new event is scheduled at 10ms + 10ns. The
cancelled events are not reclaimed until time 10ms is reached and the cancelled event is
processed. As a result, there will be 500000 (10ms/20ns) cancelled but un-deleted events. Once
10ms is reached, memory will no longer increase because the simulator will be reclaiming
events as fast as they are added.
For projected waveforms, the following would behave the same way:
signals synch : bit := '0';
...
p: process(synch)
begin
output <= '0', '1' after 10ms;
end process;
synch <= not synch after 10 ns;

VHDL Access Object Debugging

VHDL is a strongly typed language with a rich set of types. Although VHDL does not have an
objected-oriented modeling capability, VHDL variables of access type allow you to use
ModelSim to log and display dynamic simulation data. You enable this logging by specifying
vsim -accessobjdebug.
When logging a VHDL variable of an access type, ModelSim also automatically logs any
designated objects that the variable value points to as the simulation progresses. By default,

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these objects are unnamed, in accordance with the VHDL LRM (IEEE Std-1076). When you
enable logging, each object is given a unique generated name that you can manipulate as a
design pathname. The conceptual difference is that the name is not rooted at any particular place
in the design hierarchy. Various windows in the GUI display (such as the Wave window,
Objects window, Locals window, Watch window, and Memory window) can display both the
access variable and any such designated objects.
Tip: You can use the examine and the describe commands in the normal manner for
variables and objects displayed in a ModelSim window.
In general, such designated objects have a limited lifespan, which corresponds to the VHDL
allocator "new." This allocator creates one at a particular time, and the deallocate() procedure
that destroys one at a particular time, as the simulation runs. Each designated object receives its
unique name when the new allocation occurs; the name is unique over the life of the simulation.

Terminology and Naming Conventions

Using VHDL access type variables for logging dynamic data entails various names and
descriptors.

access variable A VHDL variable declared to be of an access type. An access

variable can be either a shared variable or not.
NOTE: The VHDL LRM defines access value to mean the value of such a variable.
This value can be either NULL, or it can denote (point to) some unnamed object, which
is the "designated object" and is referred to as an access object. That is, when an
access variable has a value that is not NULL, then it points to an access object.

access object Thus, the term "access object" means the designated object of an access
variable. An access object is created with the VHDL allocator new, which returns the
access value. This value is then assigned to an access variable, either in an assignment
statement or an association element in a subprogram call.

AIID access instance identifier. Each access object gets a unique identifier, its access
instance identifier, which is unfortunately named in the manner of class instance
identifier (CIID) for SystemVerilog (which is also known as a handlerefer to
SystemVerilog Class Debugging).

DOID dynamic object identifier. The name of a VHDL an access object. The terms
DOID and AIID are interchangeable. Access object names have two different forms,
depending on whether or not the vsim-accessobjdebug command is in effect. Refer to
Default BehaviorLogging and Debugging Disabled and Logging and Debugging
Enabled.

deep logging If an access variable is logged, then the DOID of any access object that
it points to during the simulation is also logged automatically. Any embedded access
type subelements of an access type are also logged automatically. Similarly, logging an

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access object by name (its access instance identifier) will log not only the access object
itself but any embedded access objects (if the outer access object is of a composite type
that contains a subelement of an access type).

prelogging The logging of an access object by name, even if you have not declared it
(that is, it does not yet exist at the time an "add log" command is issued but you can still
log it by name). This produces useful results only if you use a DOID (dynamic object
identifier) that matches the name of an access object that will exist at some future
simulation time.

VHDL Access Type

Once you have declared an access type, you can declare an access variable within a process or
subprogram. In using an access type to create dynamic data in VHDL, the usual strict rules
apply to assignment of newly constructed objects to an access type. For instance, there is no
implicit casting and no such thing as an access that can point to anything (such as a void * in C).
For example, any VHDL subtype "foo" may be used to declare an access type, which is a
pointer to objects of type foo. This can be a fully constrained type but it is also legal to point to
an unconstrained or partially constrained type.
In this example, subtype foo is called the designated subtype, and the base type of the
designated subtype is called the designated type. The designated type of an access type cannot
be a file type or a protected type. Note that composite types cannot contain elements that are of
file types or protected types, so if the designated type of an access type is a composite type, it
will not have any file type or protected type subelements.

Lifespan of an Access Object

You construct a dynamic access object in VHDL with a "new" operator and destroy it with a
"deallocate" procedure. They are only referenced through pointers declared by the HDL author.
An access object can be assigned a value of NULL, or the value of another compatible access
type object, or the result of the new operator that constructs a compatible object. The only way
to track an access object is during this lifespan; otherwise, only the access variable is available.

Restrictions and Requirements

154

Beginning with VHDL 2002, shared variables technically must be of a protected type
and cannot be of an access type, but ModelSim usage does not enforce this restriction.
This means that an access variable can be a shared variable, which presents a different
set of implementation details. This is because shared variables are context tree items,
and non-shared variables (local PROCESS statement variables, local subprogram
variables, and class VARIABLE subprogram formals, in general) are debug section
objects and not context tree items.

You cannot point to an elaborated object of the same type as a dynamic objectaccess
types point only to objects constructed by new. (There is no address_of operator. )

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According to the formal definition, dynamic objects have no simple name. That means
logging and debugging requires the generation of an internal, authoritative name for the
table of contents of any logging database.

Only a VHDL variable (ordinary or shared) may be declared as an access type, not
signals or constants. This access variable has a value of either the literal NULL (which
means there is no designated object), or an AIID, which is a pointer to the designated
object, which we will call the access object. An access variable is of an access type, and
an access object is of the designated type of that access type (not of an access type itself
in general). Note that an access variable, when it is not NULL, will always point to an
access object. Conversely, an access object, when it is pointed to, will be pointed to by
an access variable. However, an access object does not have to be pointed to by an
access variable, except when it is originally created with "new". That is, while it is not a
good idea to "orphan" an access object, it is possible. The simulator is free to deallocate
such an orphaned access object by using (perhaps) some garbage collection method, but
is not required to do soModelSim does not.

Limitations
It is not possible to log a variable (access variable or not) that is declared in the declarative
region of a FUNCTION or PROCEDURE. This is not really a limitation of this new access
object debug, but it is a general limitation. Thus, only shared variables and variables that are
declared in a PROCESS declarative region can be logged (whether access variables or not).
The List window can display the value of an access variable, but cannot display the
corresponding access objects.
Currently, while variables of type STD.TEXTIO.LINE can be logged, the access objects, which
will be of type STD.STANDARD.STRING, will not be logged if such a variable is logged.
Thus, "deep logging" of variables of type LINE does not occur.

Default BehaviorLogging and Debugging

Disabled
By default, logging access objects by name is not turned on. This means that while access
variables themselves can be logged and displayed in the various display windows, the access
object(s) that they point to will not be logged. That is, the value of an access variable (the
"name" of the access object it points to) is suitable only for displaying and cannot be used as a
way for a command to reference it.

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Default behavior is applied by either of the following methods:

In modelsim.ini ([vsim] section), set AccessObjDebug = 0.

Run vsim -noaccessobjdebug (overrides AccessObjDebug variable).

You can use and update the value of the access object by using the VHDL keyword all as a
suffix to the access variable name.

Examples

Declare an access variable v1 that designates some access object. The value of v1 will
display as [10001]. This name is for display onlyit cannot be used as input to any
command that expects an object name. However, it is a unique identifier for any access
object that the design may produce. Note that this value replaces any hexadecimal
address-based value that may have been displayed in previous versions of ModelSim.

Use variable v1 with the VHDL keyword all as an argument to the examine command,
which returns the current value of the access object. This essentially dereferences the
object.
examine v1.all

Logging and Debugging Enabled

Logging an access variable will log both the variable value and any access object that the
variable happens to point to during the simulation.
Access object logging and debugging behavior is applied by either of the following
methods:

In modelsim.ini, set AccessObjDebug = 1.

Run vsim -accessobjdebug (overrides AccessObjDebug variable).

With logging enabled for a VHDL access variable, display-only names (such as [10001]) take
on a different form, as follows:

156

the initial character, @

the name of the access type or subtype
another @
a unique integer N that represents the sequence number (starting with 1) of the objects of
that designated type that were created with the VHDL allocator called new.
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Displaying Objects in ModelSim Windows

When an access variable is displayed in the Wave window, the wave trace is not expandable
(there is no "+" next to the variable name). When the access variable points to an access object,
such that a DOID (such as @ptr@1) appears in the values column of the Wave window, you can
then right-click to add the access object under the cursor pointer. This allows adding composite
type access objects to the Wave window.
Tip: An alternative method would be to use the add wave command with the DOID of
the access object. For example:
add wave @ptr@1

Example
An example of a logged access variable in this form:
@ptr@1

Related Topics
Waveform Analysis in the Users Manual
Wave Window in the GUI Reference Manual

The examine and describe Commands

Whether access logging is enabled or disabled, you can use the examine command with a
declared access variable to obtain a display of the current value of its access object. However,
the returned value will be different for each mode.
Disabled

The returned value of the access object will be its display-only DOID (as per
Default BehaviorLogging and Debugging Disabled).

Enabled

The returned value of the access object will be the logged name that you
assigned (as per Logging and Debugging Enabled).

Tip: You can also use the describe command with an access variable in a similar way as
with the examine command (for example, describe v1.all). This command returns a more
qualitative description of the variables characteristics.
Depending on the data type of the access object, you can use the examine command in different
ways to obtain a variety of access object values. In particular, you can use examine to obtain
object values for the following VHDL data types:

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Integer
String
Record

The following examples show how to use access variables of these different types to specify
arguments to the examine command, with access object logging disabled and enabled. Each
example uses an access variable named v1, declared as one of these data types, and an access
object named @ptr@1.

Integer
Table 5-1 shows examples of how to use v1 and @ptr@1 as arguments to the examine
command to obtain the current value of the access object, @ptr@1, which is an integer.
Table 5-1. Using the examine Command to Obtain VHDL Integer Data
Command

Value Returned
withLogging Disabled
(vsim -noaccessobjdebug)

Value Returned
withLogging Enabled
(vsim -accessobjdebug)

examine v1

[10001]

@ptr@1

examine v1.all

examine @ptr@1

error

Here, the current integer value is 5. Note that an error results when attempting to use @ptr@1 as
an examine argument with access object logging disabled.

String
Table 5-2 shows examples of how to use v1 and @ptr@1 as arguments to the examine
command to obtain the current value of the access object, @ptr@1, which is a string.
Table 5-2. Using the examine Command to Obtain VHDL String Data

158

Command

Value Returned
withLogging Disabled
(vsim -noaccessobjdebug)

Value Returned
withLogging Enabled
(vsim -accessobjdebug)

examine v1

[10001]

@ptr@1

examine v1.all

"abcdef"

examine v1(4)

examine v1.all(4)

examine @ptr@1

error

"abcdef"

examine @ptr@1(4)

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Here, the value of the entire string is abcdef. Note that specifying an index of 4 in the string
obtains the fourth character of the string, d. Also, note that an error results when attempting to
use @ptr@1 as an examine argument with access object logging disabled.

Record
A VHDL record is composite data type, consisting of multiple fields (also referred to as
elements) each of which contains its own separate data. Record fields may be of the same or of
different types.
Table 5-3 shows examples of using the examine command on a record object with an integer
field (f1) and a string field (f2).
Table 5-3. Using the examine Command to Obtain VHDL Record Data
Command

Value Returned with

Logging Disabled
(vsim -noaccessobjdebug)

Value Returned
withLogging Enabled
(vsim -accessobjdebug)

examine v1

[10001]

@ptr@1

examine v1.all

{5, "abcdef"}

examine v1.f1

examine v1.all.f1

examine @ptr@1.f1

error

Here, the current value of integer field f1 is 5, and the current value of string field f2 is abcdef.
Note that an error results when attempting to use @ptr@1 as an examine argument with access
object logging disabled.

Related Topics
The describe command
The examine command

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Chapter 6
Verilog and SystemVerilog Simulation
This chapter describes how to compile and simulate Verilog and SystemVerilog designs with
ModelSim.
This chapter covers the following topics:

Basic Verilog Usage A brief outline of the steps for using Verilog in a ModelSim
design.

Verilog Compilation Information on the requirements for compiling Verilog designs

and libraries.

Verilog Simulation Information on the requirements for running simulation.

SystemVerilog System Tasks and Functions System tasks and functions that are built
into the simulator.

Compiler Directives Verilog compiler directives supported for ModelSim.

Verilog PLI/VPI and SystemVerilog DPI Verilog and SystemVerilog interfaces that
you can use to define tasks and functions that communicate with the simulator through a
C procedural interface.

SystemVerilog Class Debugging Information on debugging SV Class objects.

Cell Libraries Criteria for using Verilog cell libraries from ASIC and FPGA vendors
that are compatible with ModelSim.

Unmatched Virtual Interface Declarations Allowing virtual interfaces to exist even

when the underlying interface design unit does not exist, even in the design libraries.

Standards, Nomenclature, and Conventions

SystemVerilog is built on top of IEEE Std 1364 for the Verilog HDL and improves the
productivity, readability, and reusability of Verilog-based code. The language enhancements in
SystemVerilog provide more concise hardware descriptions, while still providing an easy route
with existing design and verification products into current hardware implementation flows. The
enhancements also provide extensive support for directed and constrained random testbench
development, coverage-driven verification, and assertion-based verification.
ModelSim implements the Verilog and SystemVerilog languages as defined by the following
standards:

IEEE 1364-2005 and 1364-1995 (Verilog)

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IEEE 1800-2012, 1800-2009 and 1800-2005 (SystemVerilog)

Note
ModelSim supports partial implementation of SystemVerilog IEEE Std 1800-2012.
For release-specific information on currently supported implementation, refer to the
following text file located in the ModelSim installation directory:
<install_dir>/docs/technotes/sysvlog.note

The standard for SystemVerilog specifies extensions for a higher level of abstraction for
modeling and verification with the Verilog hardware description language (HDL). This
standard includes design specification methods, embedded assertions language, testbench
language including coverage and assertions application programming interface (API), and a
direct programming interface (DPI).
In this chapter, the following terms apply:

Verilog refers to IEEE Std 1364 for the Verilog HDL.

Verilog-1995 refers to IEEE Std 1364-1995 for the Verilog HDL.
Verilog-2001 refers to IEEE Std 1364-2001 for the Verilog HDL.
Verilog-2005 refers to IEEE Std 1364-2005 for the Verilog HDL.
SystemVerilog refers to the extensions to the Verilog standard (IEEE Std 1364) as
defined in IEEE Std 1800-2012.
Note
The term Language Reference Manual (or LRM) is often used informally to refer to the
current IEEE standard for Verilog or SystemVerilog.

Supported Variations in Source Code

It is possible to use syntax variations of constructs that are not explicitly defined as being
supported in the Verilog LRM (such as shortcuts supported for similar constructs in another
language).

for Loops
ModelSim allows using Verilog syntax that omits any or all three specifications of a for loop
initialization, termination, increment. This is similar to allowed usage in C and is shown in the
following examples.

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Note
If you use this variation, a suppressible warning (2252) is displayed, which you can
change to an error if you use the vlog -pedanticerrors command.

Missing initializer (in order to continue where you left off):

for (; incr < foo; incr++) begin ... end

Missing incrementer (in order to increment in the loop body):

for (ii = 0; ii <= foo; ) begin ... end

Missing initializer and terminator (in order to implement a while loop):

for (; goo < foo; ) begin ... end

Missing all specifications (in order to create an infinite loop):

for (;;) begin ... end

Naming Macros with Integers

The vlog command will compile macros named with integers in addition to identifiers.
For example:
`define 11 22
`define q(s) `" s `"
module defineIdent;
string s2 = `q( `11 );
int i = `11;
initial begin
$display("i: %d\n", i);
#10;
$display("s2: %s\n", s2);
end
endmodule

Also, the following compiler directives accept integer names as well as IEEE-1800 Language
Reference Manual macro names:
define
else
elsif
endif
fdef
undefine

You can disable this functionality with vlog -pedanticerrors.

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Basic Verilog Usage

Basic Verilog usage consists of a few simple steps that include compiling, optimizing, loading,
and simulating.
The Verilog usage flow generally consists of the following steps:
1. Compile your Verilog code into one or more libraries using the vlog command. See
Verilog Compilation for details.
2. Load your design with the vsim command. Refer to Verilog Simulation.
3. Simulate the loaded design and debug as needed.

Verilog Compilation
Compiling your Verilog design for the first time is a two-step process.
1. Create a working library with the vlib command, or select File > New > Library.
2. Compile the design using the vlog command, or select Compile > Compile.

Creating a Working Library

Before you can compile your design, you must create a library in which to store the compilation
results.

Procedure
1. Use the vlib command or select File > New > Library to create a new library.
For example, the command vlib work creates a library named work. By default
compilation results are stored in the work library.
The work library is actually a subdirectory named work. This subdirectory contains a
special file named _info. Do not create libraries using UNIX commands always use the
vlib command.
See Design Libraries for additional information on working with libraries.

Invoking the Verilog Compiler

The Verilog compiler compiles Verilog source code into retargetable, executable code. You can
then simulate your design on any supported platform without having to recompile your design;
the library format is also compatible across all platforms.

Prerequisite
Create a working library.
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Procedure
1. Use the vlog command or the Compile > Compile menu selection to invoke the Verilog
compiler.
As the design compiles, the resulting object code for modules and user-defined
primitives (UDPs) is generated into a library. As noted above, the compiler places
results into the work library by default. You can specify an alternate library with the
-work argument of the vlog command.
The following example shows how to use the vlog command to invoke the Verilog
compiler:
vlog top.v +libext+.v+.u -y vlog_lib

After compiling top.v, vlog searches the vlog_lib library for files with modules with the
same name as primitives referenced, but undefined in top.v. The use of +libext+.v+.u
implies filenames with a .v or .u suffix (any combination of suffixes may be used). Only
referenced definitions are compiled. Compressed SystemVerilog source files (.gz
extension, compressed with zlib) are accepted.

Verilog Case Sensitivity

Note that Verilog and SystemVerilog are case-sensitive languages. For example, clk and CLK
are regarded as different names that you can apply to different signals or variables. This differs
from VHDL, which is case-insensitive.

Parsing SystemVerilog Keywords

With standard Verilog files (<filename>.v), vlog does not automatically parse SystemVerilog
keywords.
SystemVerilog keywords are parsed when either of the following situations exists:

Any file within the design contains the .sv file extension
You use the -sv argument with the vlog command

The following examples of the vlog command show how to enable SystemVerilog features and
keywords in ModelSim:
vlog testbench.sv top.v memory.v cache.v
vlog -sv testbench.v proc.v

In the first example, the .sv extension for testbench automatically causes ModelSim to parse
SystemVerilog keywords. In the second example, the -sv argument enables SystemVerilog
features and keywords.

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Basic Verilog Usage

Keyword Compatibility
One of the primary goals of SystemVerilog standardization has been to ensure full backward
compatibility with the Verilog standard. Questa recognizes all reserved keywords listed in
Table B-1 in Annex B of IEEE Std 1800-2012.
The following reserved keywords have been added since IEEE Std 1800-2009:
implements

interconnect

nettype

soft
If you use or produce SystemVerilog code that uses any identifiers from a previous release in
which they were not considered reserved keywords, you can do either of the following to avoid
a compilation error:

Use a different set of strings in your design. You can add one or more characters as a
prefix or suffix (such as an underscore, _) to the string, which will cause the string to be
read in as an identifier and not as a reserved keyword.

Use the SystemVerilog pragmas `begin_keywords and `end_keywords to define

regions where only the older keywords are recognized.

Recognizing SystemVerilog Files by File Name Extension

If you use the -sv argument with the vlog command, then ModelSim assumes that all input files
are SystemVerilog, regardless of their respective filename extensions.
If you do not use the -sv argument with the vlog command, then ModelSim assumes that only
files with the extension .sv, .svh, or .svp are SystemVerilog.

File extensions of include files

Similarly, if you do not use the -sv argument while reading in a file that uses an `include
statement to specify an include file, then the file extension of the include file is ignored and the
language is assumed to be the same as the file containing the `include. For example, if you do
not use the -sv argument:
If a.v included b.sv, then b.sv would be read as a Verilog file.
If c.sv included d.v, then d.v would be read as a SystemVerilog file.

File extension settings in modelsim.ini

You can define which file extensions indicate SystemVerilog files with the SVFileExtensions
variable in the modelsim.ini file. By default, this variable is defined in modelsim.ini as follows:
; SVFileExtensions = sv svp svh

For example, the following command:

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vlog a.v b.sv c.svh d.v

reads in a.v and d.v as a Verilog files and reads in b.sv and c.svh as SystemVerilog files.

File types affecting compilation units

Note that whether a file is Verilog or SystemVerilog can affect when ModelSim changes from
one compilation unit to another.
By default, ModelSim instructs the compiler to treat all files within a compilation command line
as separate compilation units (single-file compilation unit mode, which is the equivalent of
using vlog -sfcu).
vlog a.v aa.v b.sv c.svh d.v

ModelSim would group these source files into three compilation units:
Files in first unit a.v, aa.v, b.sv
File in second unit c.svh
File in third unit d.v
This behavior is governed by two basic rules:

Anything read in is added to the current compilation unit.

A compilation unit ends at the close of a SystemVerilog file.

Initializing enum Variables

By default, ModelSim initializes enum variables using the default value of the base type instead
of the leftmost value.
However, you can change this so that ModelSim sets the initial value of an enum variable to the
left most value in the following ways:

Run vlog -enumfirstinit when compiling and run vsim -enumfirstinit when simulating.
Set EnumBaseInit = 0 in the modelsim.ini file.

Incremental Compilation
ModelSim supports incremental compilation of Verilog designsthere is no requirement to
compile an entire design in one invocation of the compiler.
You are not required to compile your design in any particular order (unless you are using
SystemVerilog packages; see Note below) because all module and UDP instantiations and
external hierarchical references are resolved when the design is loaded by the simulator.

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Note
Compilation order may matter when using SystemVerilog packages. As stated in the
section Referencing data in packages of IEEE Std 1800-2005: Packages must exist in
order for the items they define to be recognized by the scopes in which they are
imported.
Incremental compilation is made possible by deferring these bindings, and as a result some
errors cannot be detected during compilation. Commonly, these errors include: modules that
were referenced but not compiled, incorrect port connections, and incorrect hierarchical
references.
Example 6-1. Incremental Compilation Example
Contents of testbench.sv
module testbench;
timeunit 1ns;
timeprecision 10ps;
bit d=1, clk = 0;
wire q;
initial
for (int cycles=0; cycles < 100; cycles++)
#100 clk = !clk;
design dut(q, d, clk);
endmodule

Contents of design.v:
module design(output bit q, input bit d, clk);
timeunit 1ns;
timeprecision 10ps;
always @(posedge clk)
q = d;
endmodule

Compile the design incrementally as follows:

ModelSim> vlog testbench.sv
.
# Top level modules:
#
testbench
ModelSim> vlog -sv test1.v
.
# Top level modules:
#
dut

Note that the compiler lists each module as a top-level module, although, ultimately, only
testbench is a top-level module. If a module is not referenced by another module compiled in
the same invocation of the compiler, then it is listed as a top-level module. This is just an
informative message that you can ignore during incremental compilation.

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The message is more useful when you compile an entire design in one invocation of the
compiler and need to know the top-level module names for the simulator. For example,
% vlog top.v and2.v or2.v
-- Compiling module top
-- Compiling module and2
-- Compiling module or2
Top level modules:
top

Automatic Incremental Compilation with -incr

The most efficient method of incremental compilation is to manually compile only the modules
that have changed. However, this is not always convenient, especially if your source files have
compiler directive interdependencies (such as macros). In this case, you may prefer to compile
your entire design along with the -incr argument. This causes the compiler to automatically
determine which modules have changed and generate code only for those modules.
The following is an example of how to compile a design with automatic incremental
compilation:
% vlog -incr top.v and2.v or2.v
-- Compiling module top
-- Compiling module and2
-- Compiling module or2
Top level modules:
top

Now, suppose that you modify the functionality of the or2 module:
% vlog -incr top.v and2.v or2.v
-- Skipping module top
-- Skipping module and2
-- Compiling module or2
Top level modules:
top

The compiler informs you that it skipped the modules top and and2, and compiled or2.
Automatic incremental compilation is intelligent about when to compile a module. For
example, changing a comment in your source code does not result in a recompile; however,
changing the compiler command line arguments results in a recompile of all modules.
Note
Changes to your source code that do not change functionality but that do affect source
code line numbers (such as adding a comment line) will cause all affected modules to be
recompiled. This happens because debug information must be kept current so that
ModelSim can trace back to the correct areas of the source code.

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Library Usage
All modules and UDPs in a Verilog design must be compiled into one or more libraries. One
library is usually sufficient for a simple design, but you may want to organize your modules into
various libraries for a complex design. If your design uses different modules having the same
name, then you need to put those modules in different libraries because design unit names must
be unique within a library.
The following is an example of how to organize your ASIC cells into one library and the rest of
your design into another:
% vlib work
% vlib asiclib
% vlog -work asiclib and2.v or2.v
-- Compiling module and2
-- Compiling module or2
Top level modules:
and2
or2
% vlog top.v
-- Compiling module top
Top level modules:
top

Note that the first compilation uses the -work asiclib argument to instruct the compiler to place
the results in the asiclib library rather than the default work library.

Library Search Rules for the vlog Command

Because instantiation bindings are not determined at compile time, you must instruct the
simulator to search your libraries when loading the design. The top-level modules are loaded
from the library named work unless you prefix the modules with the <library>. option.
All other Verilog instantiations are resolved in the following order:

170

Search libraries specified with -Lf arguments in the order they appear on the command
line.

Search the library specified in the Verilog-XL uselib Compiler Directive section.

Search the work library.

Search libraries specified with -L arguments in the order they appear on the command
line.

Search the library explicitly named in the special escaped identifier instance name.

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Handling Sub-Modules with Common Names

Sometimes in one design you need to reference two different modules that have the same name.
This situation can occur if you have hierarchical modules organized into separate libraries, and
you have commonly-named sub-modules in the libraries that have different definitions. This
may happen if you are using vendor-supplied libraries.
For example, say you have the following design configuration:
Example 6-2. Sub-Modules with Common Names
top
modA

modB

lib2:

lib1:
modA

modB

cellX

The normal library search rules fail in this situation. For example, if you load the design as
follows:
vsim -L lib1 -L lib2 top

SystemVerilog Multi-File Compilation

ModelSim allows you to compile multiple SystemVerilog files at a time.

Declarations in Compilation Unit Scope

SystemVerilog allows the declaration of types, variables, functions, tasks, and other constructs
in compilation unit scope ($unit). The visibility of declarations in $unit scope does not extend

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outside the current compilation unit. Thus, it is important to understand how compilation units
are defined by the simulator during compilation.
By default, vlog operates in Single File Compilation Unit mode (SFCU). This means the
visibility of declarations in $unit scope terminates at the end of each source file. Visibility does
not carry forward from one file to another, except when a module, interface, or package
declaration begins in one file and ends in another file. In that case, the compilation unit spans
from the file containing the beginning of the declaration to the file containing the end of the
declaration.
The vlog command also supports a non-default mode called Multi File Compilation Unit
(MFCU). In MFCU mode, vlog compiles all files on the command line into one compilation
unit. You can invoke vlog in MFCU mode as follows:

For a specific, one-time compilation: vlog -mfcu.

For all compilations: set the variable MultiFileCompilationUnit = 1 in the
modelsim.ini file.

By using either of these methods, you allow declarations in $unit scope to remain in effect
throughout the compilation of all files.
If you have made MFCU the default behavior by setting MultiFileCompilationUnit = 1 in
your modelsim.ini file, you can override this default behavior on a specific compilation by
using vlog -sfcu.

Macro Definitions and Compiler Directives in Compilation

Unit Scope
According to the IEEE Std 1800-2005, the visibility of macro definitions and compiler
directives span the lifetime of a single compilation unit. By default, this means the definitions of
macros and settings of compiler directives terminate at the end of each source file. They do not
carry forward from one file to another, except when a module, interface, or package declaration
begins in one file and ends in another file. In that case, the compilation unit spans from the file
containing the beginning of the definition to the file containing the end of the definition.
See Declarations in Compilation Unit Scope for instructions on how to control vlog's handling
of compilation units.
Note
Compiler directives revert to their default values at the end of a compilation unit.

If a compiler directive is specified as an option to the compiler, this setting is used for all
compilation units present in the current compilation.

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Verilog-XL Compatible Compiler Arguments

The compiler arguments listed below are equivalent to Verilog-XL arguments and may ease the
porting of a design to ModelSim.
See the vlog command for a description of each argument.
+define+<macro_name>[=<macro_text>]
+delay_mode_distributed
+delay_mode_path
+delay_mode_unit
+delay_mode_zero
-f <filename>
+incdir+<directory>
+mindelays
+maxdelays
+nowarn<mnemonic>
+typdelays
-u

Arguments Supporting Source Libraries

The compiler arguments listed below support source libraries in the same manner as VerilogXL.
Note that these source libraries are very different from the libraries that the ModelSim compiler
uses to store compilation results. You may find it convenient to use these arguments if you are
porting a design to ModelSim or if you are familiar with these arguments and prefer to use
them.
Source libraries are searched after the source files on the command line are compiled. If there
are any unresolved references to modules or UDPs, then the compiler searches the source
libraries to satisfy them. The modules compiled from source libraries may in turn have
additional unresolved references that cause the source libraries to be searched again. This
process is repeated until all references are resolved or until no new unresolved references are
found. Source libraries are searched in the order they appear on the command line.
-v <filename>
-y <directory>
+libext+<suffix>
+librescan
+nolibcell
-R [<simargs>]

Related Topics
See the vlog command for a description of each argument.

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Verilog-XL uselib Compiler Directive

The ùselib compiler directive is an alternative source library management scheme to the -v, -y,
and +libext compiler arguments. It has the advantage that a design may reference different
modules having the same name.
You compile designs that contain ùselib directive statements using the -compile_uselibs
argument (described below) with the vlog command.
The syntax for the ùselib directive is:
ùselib <library_reference>...

where <library_reference> can be one or more of the following:

dir=<library_directory>, which is equivalent to the command line argument:

-y <library_directory>

file=<library_file>, which is equivalent to the command line argument:

-v <library_file>

libext=<file_extension>, which is equivalent to the command line argument:

+libext+<file_extension>

lib=<library_name>, which references a library for instantiated objects, specifically

modules, interfaces and program blocks, but not packages. You must ensure the correct
mappings are set up if the library does not exist in the current working directory. The
-compile_uselibs argument does not affect this usage of `uselib.

For example, the following directive

`uselib dir=/h/vendorA libext=.v

is equivalent to the following command line arguments:

-y /h/vendorA +libext+.v

Since the ùselib directives are embedded in the Verilog source code, there is more flexibility in
defining the source libraries for the instantiations in the design. The appearance of a ùselib
directive in the source code explicitly defines how instantiations that follow it are resolved,
completely overriding any previous ùselib directives.
An important feature of uselib is to allow a design to reference multiple modules having the
same name, therefore independent compilation of the source libraries referenced by the ùselib
directives is required.

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Each source library should be compiled into its own object library. The compilation of the code
containing the `uselib directives only records which object libraries to search for each module
instantiation when the design is loaded by the simulator.
Because the `uselib directive is intended to reference source libraries, the simulator must infer
the object libraries from the library references. The rule is to assume an object library named
work in the directory defined in the library reference:
dir=<library_directory>

or the directory containing the file in the library reference

file=<library_file>

The simulator will ignore a library reference libext=<file_extension>. For example, the
following `uselib directives infer the same object library:
uselib dir=/h/vendorA
uselib file=/h/vendorA/libcells.v

In both cases the simulator assumes that the library source is compiled into the object library:
/h/vendorA/work

The simulator also extends the `uselib directive to explicitly specify the object library with the
library reference lib=<library_name>. For example:
uselib lib=/h/vendorA/work

The library name can be a complete path to a library, or it can be a logical library name defined
with the vmap command.

-compile_uselibs Argument
Use the -compile_uselibs argument to vlog to reference `uselib directives. The argument finds
the source files referenced in the directive, compiles them into automatically created object
libraries, and updates the modelsim.ini file with the logical mappings to the libraries.
When using -compile_uselibs, ModelSim determines into which directory to compile the object
libraries by choosing, in order, from the following three values:

The directory name specified by the -compile_uselibs argument. For example,

-compile_uselibs=./mydir

The directory specified by the MTI_USELIB_DIR environment variable (see

Environment Variables)

A directory named mti_uselibs that is created in the current working directory

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The following code fragment and compiler invocation show how two different modules that
have the same name can be instantiated within the same design:
module top;
`uselib dir=/h/vendorA libext=.v
NAND2 u1(n1, n2, n3);
`uselib dir=/h/vendorB libext=.v
NAND2 u2(n4, n5, n6);
endmodule
vlog -compile_uselibs top

This allows the NAND2 module to have different definitions in the vendorA and vendorB
libraries.

uselib is Persistent
As mentioned above, the appearance of a `uselib directive in the source code explicitly defines
how instantiations that follow it are resolved. This may result in unexpected consequences. For
example, consider the following compile command:
vlog -compile_uselibs dut.v srtr.v

Assume that dut.v contains a ùselib directive. Since srtr.v is compiled after dut.v, the ùselib
directive is still in effect. When srtr is loaded it is using the ùselib directive from dut.v to
decide where to locate modules. If this is not what you intend, then you need to put an empty
ùselib at the end of dut.v to close the previous ùselib statement.

Verilog Configurations
The Verilog 2001 specification added configurations. Configurations specify how a design is
assembled during the elaboration phase of simulation. Configurations actually consist of two
pieces: the library mapping and the configuration itself. The library mapping is used at compile
time to determine into which libraries the source files are to be compiled.
Here is an example of a simple library map file:
library
library
library
library

work
rtlLib
gateLib
aLib

../top.v;
lrm_ex_top.v;
lrm_ex_adder.vg;
lrm_ex_adder.v;

Here is an example of a library map file that uses the -incdir argument:
library lib1 src_dir/*.v -incdir ../include_dir2, ../, my_incdir;

The name of the library map file is arbitrary. You specify the library map file using the -libmap
argument to the vlog command. Alternatively, you can specify the file name as the first item on
the vlog command line, and the compiler reads it as a library map file.

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Tip: You can use vlog -mfcu to compile macros for all files in a given testbench.
Any macros already defined before the -libmap argument appears are still defined for use
by the -libmap files. That is, -mfcu macros are applied to the other libraries in library
mapping files.
The library map file must be compiled along with the Verilog source files. Multiple map files
are allowed but each must be preceded by the -libmap argument.
The library map file and the configuration can exist in the same or different files. If they are
separate, only the map file needs the -libmap argument. The configuration is treated as any
other Verilog source file.

Configurations and the Library Named work

ModelSim trreats the library named work in a special way for Verilog configurations.
Consider the following code example:
config cfg;
design top;
instance top.u1 use work.u1;
endconfig

In this case, work.u1 indicates to load u1 from the current library.

To create a configuration that loads an instance from a library other than the default work
library, do the following:
1. Make sure the library has been created using the vlib command. For example:
vlib mylib

2. Define this library (mylib) as the new current (working) library:

vlog -work mylib

3. Load instance u1 from the current library, which is now mylib:

config cfg;
design top;
instance top.u1 use mylib.u1;
endconfig

Related Topics
See The Library Named "work" for details.

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Verilog Generate Statements

ModelSim implements the rules adopted for Verilog 2005, because the Verilog 2001 rules for
generate statements had numerous inconsistencies and ambiguities. Most of the 2005 rules are
backwards compatible, but there is one key difference related to name visibility.

Name Visibility in Generate Statements

Consider the following code example.
module m;
parameter p = 1;
generate
if (p)
integer x = 1;
else
real x = 2.0;
endgenerate
initial $display(x);
endmodule

This example is legal under 2001 rules. However, it is illegal under the 2005 rules and causes an
error in ModelSim. Under the new rules, you cannot hierarchically reference a name in an
anonymous scope from outside that scope. In the example above, x does not propagate its
visibility upwards, and each condition alternative is considered to be an anonymous scope.
For this example to simulate properly in ModelSim, change it to the following:
module m;
parameter p = 1;
if (p) begin:s
integer x = 1;
end
else begin:s
real x = 2.0;
end
initial $display(s.x);
endmodule

Because the scope is named in this example (begin:s), normal hierarchical resolution rules
apply and the code runs without error.
In addition, note that the keyword pair generate - endgenerate is optional under the 2005
rules and are excluded in the second example.

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Verilog Simulation
A Verilog design is ready for simulation after it has been compiled with vlog. The simulator
may then be invoked with the names of the top-level modules. (Many designs contain only one
top-level module).
. . For example, if your top-level modules are testbench and globals, then invoke the
simulator as follows:
vsim testbench globals

After the simulator loads the top-level modules, it iteratively loads the instantiated modules and
UDPs in the design hierarchy, linking the design together by connecting the ports and resolving
hierarchical references. By default all modules and UDPs are loaded from the library named
work. Modules and UDPs from other libraries can be specified using the -L or -Lf arguments to
vsim (see Library Usage for details).
On successful loading of the design, the simulation time is set to zero, and you must enter a run
command to begin simulation. Commonly, you enter run -all to run until there are no more
simulation events or until $finish is executed in the Verilog code. You can also run for specific
time periods (for example, run 100 ns). Enter the quit command to exit the simulator.

Simulator Resolution Limit (Verilog)

The simulator internally represents time as a 64-bit integer in units equivalent to the smallest
unit of simulation time (also known as the simulator resolution limit). The resolution limit
defaults to the smallest time units that you specify among all of the `timescale compiler
directives in the design.
Here is an example of a `timescale directive:
`timescale 1 ns / 100 ps

The first number (1 ns) is the time units; the second number (100 ps) is the time precision,
which is the rounding factor for the specified time units. The directive above causes time values
to be read as nanoseconds and rounded to the nearest 100 picoseconds.
Time units and precision can also be specified with SystemVerilog keywords as follows:
timeunit 1 ns
timeprecision 100 ps

Modules Without Timescale Directives

Unexpected behavior may occur if your design contains some modules with timescale directives
and others without. An elaboration error is issued in this situation and it is highly recommended

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that all modules having delays also have timescale directives to make sure that the timing of the
design operates as intended.
Timescale elaboration errors may be suppressed or reduced to warnings however, there is a risk
of improper design behavior and reduced performance. The vsim +nowarnTSCALE or
-suppress options may be used to ignore the error, while the -warning option may be used to
reduce the severity to a warning.

-timescale Option
The -timescale option can be used with the vlog command to specify the default timescale in
effect during compilation for modules that do not have an explicit `timescale directive. The
format of the -timescale argument is the same as that of the `timescale directive:
-timescale <time_units>/<time_precision>

where <time_units> is <n> <units>. The value of <n> must be 1, 10, or 100. The value of
<units> must be fs, ps, ns, us, ms, or s. In addition, the <time_units> must be greater than or
equal to the <time_precision>.
For example:
-timescale "1ns / 1ps"

The argument above needs quotes because it contains white space.

Design units that do not have a timescale set in the HDL source, or with vlog -timescale will
generate an error similar to the following:
# ** Error (suppressible): (vsim-3009) [TSCALE] - Module 'top2' does not
have a timeunit/timeprecision specification in effect, but other modules
do.
#
Time: 0 ps Iteration: 0 Instance: /top2 File: t2.sv
# Loading work.dut2(fast)

but the error can be suppressed causing vsim to use the simulator time resolution.

Multiple Timescale Directives

As previously noted, a design can have multiple timescale directives. Separately compiled
modules can also have different timescales. The simulator determines the smallest timescale of
all the modules in a design and uses that as the simulator resolution.
The timescale directive takes effect where it appears in a source file and applies to all Verilog
source files (.v files) that follow in the same vlog command.

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Note
For SystemVerilog source files (.sv files), this requires that you use either the -mfcu
argument or the -mfcu=macro argument with the vlog command.

timescale, -t, and Rounding

The optional vsim argument -t sets the simulator resolution limit for the overall simulation. If
the resolution set by -t is larger than the precision set in a module, the time values in that
module are rounded up. If the resolution set by -t is smaller than the precision of the module, the
precision of that module remains whatever is specified by the `timescale directive.
Consider the following code:
`timescale 1 ns / 100 ps
module foo;
initial
#12.536 $display

The list below shows three possibilities for -t and how the delays in the module are handled in
each case:

-t not set
The delay is rounded to 12.5 as directed by the modules timescale directive.

-t is set to 1 fs
The delay is rounded to 12.5. Again, the modules precision is determined by the
timescale directive. ModelSim does not override the modules precision.

-t is set to 1 ns
The delay will be rounded to 13. The modules precision is determined by the -t setting.
ModelSim can only round the modules time values because the entire simulation is
operating at 1 ns.

Choosing the Resolution for Verilog

You should choose the coarsest simulator resolution limit possible that does not result in
undesired rounding of your delays. For example, values smaller than the current Time Scale
will be truncated to zero (0) and a warning issued. However, the time precision should also not
be set unnecessarily small, because in some cases performance will be degraded.

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Event Ordering in Verilog Designs

Event-based simulators such as ModelSim may process multiple events at a given simulation
time. The Verilog language is defined such that you cannot explicitly control the order in which
simultaneous events are processed. Unfortunately, some designs rely on a particular event
order, and these designs may behave differently than you expect.

Event Queues
Section 11 of IEEE Std 1364-2005 defines several event queues that determine the order in
which events are evaluated.
At the current simulation time, the simulator has the following pending events:

active events
inactive events
non-blocking assignment update events
monitor events
future events
o

inactive events

non-blocking assignment update events

The Standard (LRM) dictates that events are processed as follows:

1. All active events are processed.
2. Inactive events are moved to the active event queue and then processed.
3. Non-blocking events are moved to the active event queue and then processed.
4. Monitor events are moved to the active queue and then processed.
5. Simulation advances to the next time where there is an inactive event or a non-blocking
assignment update event.
Within the active event queue, the events can be processed in any order, and new active events
can be added to the queue in any order. In other words, you cannot control event order within
the active queue. The example below illustrates potential ramifications of this situation.
Assume that you have these four statements:

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always@(q) p = q;
always @(q) p2 = not q;
always @(p or p2) clk = p and p2;

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always @(posedge clk)

with current variable values: q = 0, p = 0, p2=1

The tables below show two of the many valid evaluations of these statements. Evaluation events
are denoted by a number where the number is the statement to be evaluated. Update events are
denoted <name>(old->new) where <name> indicates the reg being updated and new is the
updated value.\
Table 6-1. Evaluation 1 of always Statements
Event being processed

Active event queue

q(0 -> 1)

1, 2

p(0 -> 1), 2

p(0 -> 1)

3, 2

clk(0 -> 1), 2

clk(0 -> 1)

4, 2

p2(1 -> 0)

clk(1 -> 0)

<empty>

Table 6-2. Evaluation 2 of always Statement

Event being processed

Active event queue

q(0 -> 1)

1, 2

p(0 -> 1), 2

p2(1 -> 0), p(0 -> 1)

p(0 -> 1)

3, p2(1 -> 0)

p2(1 > 0)

<empty> (clk does not change)

Again, both evaluations are valid. However, in Evaluation 1, clk has a glitch on it; in Evaluation
2, clk does not. This indicates that the design has a zero-delay race condition on clk.

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Controlling Event Queues with Blocking or Non-Blocking

Assignments
The only control you have over event order is to assign an event to a particular queue. You do
this by using blocking or non-blocking assignments.

Blocking Assignments
Blocking assignments place an event in the active, inactive, or future queues depending on what
type of delay they have:

a blocking assignment without a delay goes in the active queue

a blocking assignment with an explicit delay of 0 goes in the inactive queue
a blocking assignment with a nonzero delay goes in the future queue

Non-Blocking Assignments
A non-blocking assignment goes into either the non-blocking assignment update event queue or
the future non-blocking assignment update event queue. (Non-blocking assignments with no
delays and those with explicit zero delays are treated the same.)
Non-blocking assignments should be used only for outputs of flip-flops. This ensures that all
outputs of flip-flops do not change until after all flip-flops have been evaluated. Attempting to
use non-blocking assignments in combinational logic paths to remove race conditions may only
cause more problems. (In the preceding example, changing all statements to non-blocking
assignments would not remove the race condition.) This includes using non-blocking
assignments in the generation of gated clocks.
The following is an example of how to properly use non-blocking assignments.
gen1: always @(master)
clk1 = master;
gen2: always @(clk1)
clk2 = clk1;
f1 : always @(posedge clk1)
begin
q1 <= d1;
end
f2:
always @(posedge clk2)
begin
q2 <= q1;
end

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If written this way, a value on d1 always takes two clock cycles to get from d1 to q2.
If you change clk1 = master and clk2 = clk1 to non-blocking assignments or q2 <= q1 and q1
<= d1 to blocking assignments, then d1 may get to q2 is less than two clock cycles.

Debugging Event Order Issues

Since many models have been developed on Verilog-XL, ModelSim tries to duplicate VerilogXL event ordering to ease the porting of those models to ModelSim. However, ModelSim does
not match Verilog-XL event ordering in all cases, and if a model ported to ModelSim does not
behave as expected, then you should suspect that there are event order dependencies.
ModelSim helps you track down event order dependencies with the following compiler
arguments: -compat, -hazards, and -keep_delta.
See the vlog command for descriptions of -compat and -hazards.

Hazard Detection
The -hazards argument for the vsim command detects event order hazards involving
simultaneous reading and writing of the same register in concurrently executing processes.
ModelSim detects the following kinds of hazards:

WRITE/WRITE Two processes writing to the same variable at the same time.

WRITE/READ Same as a READ/WRITE hazard except that ModelSim executed the

write first.

READ/WRITE One process reading a variable at the same time it is being written to
by another process. ModelSim calls this a READ/WRITE hazard if it executed the read
first.

vsim issues an error message when it detects a hazard. The message pinpoints the variable and
the two processes involved. You can have the simulator break on the statement where the
hazard is detected by setting the break on assertion level to Error.
To enable hazard detection you must invoke vlog with the -hazards argument when you compile
your source code and you must also invoke vsim with the -hazards argument when you
simulate.
Note
Enabling -hazards implicitly enables the -compat argument. As a result, using this
argument may affect your simulation results.

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Hazard Detection and Optimization Levels

In certain cases hazard detection results are affected by the optimization level used in the
simulation. Some optimizations change the read/write operations performed on a variable if the
transformation is determined to yield equivalent results. Because the hazard detection algorithm
cannot determine whether the read/write operations can affect the simulation results, the
optimizations can result in different hazard detection results. Generally, the optimizations
reduce the number of false hazards by eliminating unnecessary reads and writes, but there are
also optimizations that can produce additional false hazards.

Limitations of Hazard Detection

Reads and writes involving bit and part selects of vectors are not considered for hazard
detection. The overhead of tracking the overlap between the bit and part selects is too
high.

A WRITE/WRITE hazard is flagged even if the same value is written by both processes.

Glitches on nets caused by non-guaranteed event ordering are not detected.

Hazards caused by simultaneous forces are not detected.

A WRITE/READ or READ/WRITE hazard is flagged even if the write does not modify
the variable's value.

A non-blocking assignment is not treated as a WRITE for hazard detection purposes.

This is because non-blocking assignments are not normally involved in hazards. (In fact,
they should be used to avoid hazards.)

Signal Segmentation Violations

If you attempt to access a SystemVerilog object that has not been constructed with the new
operator, you will receive a fatal error called a signal segmentation violation (SIGSEGV).
For example, the following code produces a SIGSEGV fatal error:
class C;
int x;
endclass
C obj;
initial obj.x = 5;

This attempts to initialize a property of obj, but obj has not been constructed. The code is
missing the following:
C obj = new;

The new operator performs three distinct operations:

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Allocates storage for an object of type C

Assigns the handle of the newly constructed object to obj

Calls the new method in the class or uses a default method if the class does not define
new

If the object handle obj is not initialized with new, there will be nothing to reference. ModelSim
sets the variable to the value null and the SIGSEGV fatal error will occur.
To debug a SIGSEGV error, first look in the transcript. Figure 6-1 shows an example of a
SIGSEGV error message in the Transcript window.
Figure 6-1. Fatal Signal Segmentation Violation (SIGSEGV)

The Fatal error message identifies the filename and line number where the code violation
occurred (in this example, the file is top.sv and the line number is 19).
ModelSim sets the active scope to the location where the error occurred. In the Processes
window, the current process is highlighted (Figure 6-2).
Figure 6-2. Current Process Where Error Occurred

Double-click the highlighted process to open a Source window. A blue arrow will point to the
statement where the simulation stopped executing (Figure 6-3).

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Figure 6-3. Blue Arrow Indicating Where Code Stopped Executing

Next, look for null values in the ModelSim Locals window (Figure 6-4), which displays data
objects declared in the local (current) scope of the active process.
Figure 6-4. Null Values in the Locals Window

The null value in Figure 6-4 indicates that the object handle for obj was not properly
constructed with the new operator.

Negative Timing Checks

ModelSim automatically detects cells with negative timing checks and causes timing checks to
be performed on the delayed versions of input ports (used when there are negative timing check
limits).
Negative timing syntax is defined in the IEEE Standard for Verilog Hardware Description
Language, specifically Chapter 15 Timing Checks.
The negative timing check algorithm is enabled by default. To explicitly enable the algorithm,
use the +delayed_timing_checks with the vsim command. If you want to disable the
functionality, add the +no_autodtc to the vsim command line.

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vsim Arguments Related to Timing Checks

The vsim command supports several timing check-related arguments:

vsim +delayed_timing_checks (on by default) Instructs the simulator to

automatically detect cells with negative timing checks.

vsim +no_autodtc Disables the default behavior of the +delayed_timing_checks

option

vsim +no_neg_tcheck Forces all negative timing check limits to a zero value.
vsim +ntc_warn Enables messaging for negative timing checks.
vsim +notimingchecks Removes all timing check entries from the design as it is
parsed

Commands Supporting Negative Timing Check Limits

By default, ModelSim supports negative timing check limits in Verilog $setuphold and $recrem
system tasks.
Using the +no_neg_tcheck argument with the vsim command causes all negative timing check
limits to be set to zero.
Models that support negative timing check limits must be written properly if they are to be
evaluated correctly. These timing checks specify delayed versions of the input ports, which are
used for functional evaluation. The correct syntax for $setuphold and $recrem is as follows.

$setuphold
The $setuphold check determine whether signals obey the timing constraints.

Syntax
$setuphold ( reference_event , data_event , timing_check_limit , timing_check_limit ,
[ notifier ] , [ stamptime_condition ] , [ checktime_condition ] , [ delayed_reference ] ,
[ delayed_data ] ) ;

Arguments

reference_event (required) Specifies a transition in a reference signal that establishes the

reference time for tracking timing violations on the data_event. Since $setuphold combines

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the functionality of the $setup and $hold system tasks, the reference_event sets the lower
bound event for $hold and the upper bound event for $setup.

data_event (required) Specifies a transition of a data signal that initiates the timing
check. The data_event sets the upper bound event for $hold and the lower bound limit for
$setup.

timing_check_limit (both instances are required) Specifies a constant expression or

specparam that specifies the minimum interval between:
First instance the data_event and the clk_event. Any change to the data signal within
this interval results in a timing violation.
Second instance the interval between the clk_event and the data_event. Any change
to the data signal within this interval results in a timing violation.

notifier (optional) Specifies a register whose value is updated whenever a timing

violation occurs. The notifier can be used to define responses to timing violations.

stamptime_condition (optional) Conditions the data_event for the setup check and the
reference_event for the hold check. This alternate method of conditioning precludes
specifying conditions in the reference_event and data_event arguments.

checktime_condition (optional) Conditions the data_event for the hold check and the
reference_event for the setup check. This alternate method of conditioning precludes
specifying conditions in the reference_event and data_event arguments.

delayed_reference (optional) Specifies a net that is continuously assigned the value of

the net specified in the reference_event. The delay is determined by the simulator and may
be nonzero depending on all the timing check limits.

delayed_data (optional) Specifies a net that is continuously assigned the value of the net
specified in the data_event. The delay is determined by the simulator and may be nonzero
depending on all the timing check limits.

$recrem
The $recrem timing check determine whether signals obey the timing constraints.

Syntax
$recrem ( reference_event , data_event , timing_check_limit , timing_check_limit ,
[ notifier ] , [ stamptime_condition ] , [ checktime_condition ] , [ delayed_reference ] ,
[ delayed_data ] ) ;

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Arguments

reference_event (required) Specifies an asynchronous control signal with an edge

identifier to indicate the release from an active state.

data_event (required) Specifies a clock or gate signal with an edge identifier to indicate
the active edge of the clock or the closing edge of the gate.

timing_check_limit (both instances are required) Specifies a minimum interval between:

First instance the release of the asynchronous control signal and the active edge of
the clock event. Any change to a signal within this interval results in a timing
violation.
Second instance the active edge of the clock event and the release of the
asynchronous control signal. Any change to a signal within this interval results in a
timing violation.

notifier (optional) Specifies a register whose value is updated whenever a timing

violation occurs. The notifier can be used to define responses to timing violations.

stamptime_condition (optional) Conditions the data_event for the removal check and the
reference_event for the recovery check. This alternate method of conditioning precludes
specifying conditions in the reference_event and data_event arguments.

checktime_condition (optional) Conditions the data_event for the recovery check and the
reference_event for the removal check. This alternate method of conditioning precludes
specifying conditions in the reference_event and data_event arguments.

delayed_reference (optional) Specifies a net that is continuously assigned the value of

the net specified in the reference_event. The delay is determined by the simulator and may
be nonzero depending on all the timing check limits.

Timing Check Syntactical Conventions

Your $setuphold() or $recrem() timing checks must follow the LRM defined syntax exactly.
The simulator will behave in the following ways based on your commands.
The two timing_check_limit values are your delayed reference and delayed data values,
respectively, which can be negative values. In all cases, you must ensure that the sum of these
two values must be greater than zero (0). If they do not meet this requirement, the simulator
silently sets any negative values to zero (0) during elaboration or SDF annotation. You can
force the simulator to show a warning (vsim-3616) in this case with the +ntc_warn argument to
the vsim command.
** Warning: (vsim-3616) cells.v(x): Instance 'dff0' - Bad $setuphold
constraints: 5 ns and -6 ns. Negative limit(s) set to zero.

The internal timing check algorithm will determine the proper delay values, specifically a
negative hold requires the shifting of your DATA signal and a negative setup requires the

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shifting of your CLOCK. In some rare cases, typically due to bad SDF values, the timing check
algorithm can not create convergence. Use the +ntc_warn argument to the vsim command to
receive additional warning messages.
The LRM does not allow for you to specify a reference_event or data_event condition using the
&&& operator and also specify a stamptime_condition or checktime_condition. When this does
occur, the simulator issues a warning and ignores the condition defined in either event. For
example, in the task:
$setuphold(posedge clk &&& cond1, posedge d, 10, -5, notifier, cond2, ,
dclk, dd);

the condition cond1 will be ignored.

The delayed_reference and delayed_data arguments are provided to ease the modeling of
devices that may have negative timing constraints. The model's logic should reference the
delayed_reference and delayed_data nets in place of the normal reference and data nets. This
ensures that the correct data is latched in the presence of negative constraints. The simulator
automatically calculates the delays for delayed_reference and delayed_data such that the correct
data is latched as long as a timing constraint has not been violated. See Using Delayed Inputs
for Timing Checks for more information.

Negative Timing Constraint Algorithm

The ModelSim negative timing constraint algorithm attempts to find a set of delays such that
the data net is valid when the clock or control nets transition and the timing checks are satisfied.
The algorithm is iterative because a set of delays that satisfies all timing checks for a pair of
inputs can cause mis-ordering of another pair (where both pairs of inputs share a common
input). When a set of delays that satisfies all timing checks is found, the delays are said to
converge.
When none of the delay sets cause convergence, the algorithm pessimistically changes the
timing check limits to force convergence. Basically, the algorithm zeroes the smallest negative
$setup/$recovery limit. If a negative $setup/$recovery doesn't exist, then the algorithm zeros the
smallest negative $hold/$removal limit. After zeroing a negative limit, the delay calculation
procedure is repeated. If the delays do not converge, the algorithm zeros another negative limit,
repeating the process until convergence is found.
For example, in this timing check,
$setuphold(posedge CLK, D, -10, 20, notifier,,, dCLK, dD);

dCLK is the delayed version of the input CLK and dD is the delayed version of D. By default,
the timing checks are performed on the inputs while the model's functional evaluation uses the
delayed versions of the inputs. This posedge D-Flipflop module has a negative setup limit of -10

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time units, which allows posedge CLK to occur up to 10 time units before the stable value of D
is latched.
-10

D violation
region

XXXXXXXXXX

0
CLK

Without delaying CLK by 11, an old value for D could be latched. Note that an additional time
unit of delay is added to prevent race conditions.
The inputs look like this:
9
D
0
CLK

. . . resulting in delayed inputs of . . .

9
dD
11
dCLK

Because the posedge CLK transition is delayed by the amount of the negative setup limit (plus
one time unit to prevent race conditions) no timing violation is reported and the new value of D
is latched.
However, the effect of this delay could also affect other inputs with a specified timing
relationship to CLK. The simulator is responsible for calculating the delay between all inputs
and their delayed versions. The complete set of delays (delay solution convergence) must
consider all timing check limits together so that whenever timing is met the correct data value is
latched.
Consider the following timing checks specified relative to CLK:
$setuphold(posedge CLK, D, -10, 20, notifier,,, dCLK, dD);
$setuphold(posedge CLK, negedge RST, -40, 50, notifier,,, dCLK, dRST);

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0
RST violation
D violation

-10

-30

\\\\\\\\\\\\
XXXXXXXXXX

CLK

To solve the timing checks specified relative to CLK the following delay values are necessary:
Rising

Falling

dCLK

dRST

The simulator's intermediate delay solution shifts the violation regions to overlap the reference
events.

-10

-30

dRST violation
dD violation

40 45

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
XXXXXXXXXX

dCLK

Notice that no timing is specified relative to negedge CLK, but the dCLK falling delay is set to
the dCLK rising delay to minimize pulse rejection on dCLK. Pulse rejection that occurs due to
delayed input delays is reported by:
"WARNING[3819] : Scheduled event on delay net dCLK was cancelled"

Now, consider the following case where a new timing check is added between D and RST and
the simulator cannot find a delay solution. Some timing checks are set to zero. In this case, the
new timing check is not annotated from an SDF file and a default $setuphold limit of 1, 1 is
used:
$setuphold(posedge CLK, D, -10, 20, notifier,,, dCLK, dD);
$setuphold(posedge CLK, negedge RST, -40, 50, notifier,,, dCLK, dRST);
$setuphold(negedge RST, D, 1, 1, notifier,,, dRST, dD);

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0
RST violation
D violation

-10

-30

40 45

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
XXXXXXXXXX

CLK

D violation

1 1
XX

RST

As illustrated earlier, to solve timing checks on CLK, delays of 20 and 31 time units were
necessary on dD and dCLK, respectively.
Rising

Falling

dCLK

dRST

The simulator's intermediate delay solution is:

-10

21 23

RST violation
D violation

-30

40 45

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
XXXXXXXXXX

CLK

D violation

RST

But this is not consistent with the timing check specified between RST and D. The falling RST
signal can be delayed by additional 10, but that is still not enough for the delay solution to
converge.

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Falling

dCLK

dRST

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-10

-30

21 23

RST violation
D violation

\\\\\\\\\\\\
XXXXXXXXXX

CLK

D violation

RST

As stated above, if a delay solution cannot be determined with the specified timing check limits
the smallest negative $setup/$recovery limit is zeroed and the calculation of delays repeated. If
no negative $setup/$recovery limits exist, then the smallest negative $hold/$removal limit is
zeroed. This process is repeated until a delay solution is found.
If a timing check in the design was zeroed because a delay solution was not found, a summary
message like the following will be issued:
# ** Warning: (vsim-3316) No solution possible for some delayed timing
check nets. 1 negative limits were zeroed. Use +ntc_warn for more info.

Invoking vsim with the +ntc_warn option identifies the timing check that is being zeroed.
Finally consider the case where the RST and D timing check is specified on the posedge RST.
$setuphold(posedge CLK, D, -10, 20, notifier,,, dCLK, dD);
$setuphold(posedge CLK, negedge RST, -40, 50, notifier,,, dCLK, dRST);
$setuphold(posedge RST, D, 1, 1, notifier,,, dRST, dD);

0
RST violation
D violation

-10

-30

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
XXXXXXXXXX

CLK

D violation

1 1
XX

RST

In this case the delay solution converges when an rising delay on dRST is used.

dCLK

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Rising

Falling

dRST

-10

21 23

RST violation
D violation

-30

40 45

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
XXXXXXXXXX

CLK

D violation

RST

Using Delayed Inputs for Timing Checks

By default ModelSim performs timing checks on inputs specified in the timing check. If you
want timing checks performed on the delayed inputs, use the +delayed_timing_checks
argument with the vsim command.
Consider an example. This timing check:
$setuphold(posedge clk, posedge t, 20, -12, NOTIFIER,,, clk_dly, t_dly);

reports a timing violation when posedge t occurs in the violation region:

-12

t
0
clk

With the +delayed_timing_checks argument, the violation region between the delayed inputs
is:
7

t_dly
0
clk_dly

Although the check is performed on the delayed inputs, the timing check violation message is
adjusted to reference the undelayed inputs. Only the report time of the violation message is
noticeably different between the delayed and undelayed timing checks.
By far the greatest difference between these modes is evident when there are conditions on a
delayed check event because the condition is not implicitly delayed. Also, timing checks

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specified without explicit delayed signals are delayed, if necessary, when they reference an
input that is delayed for a negative timing check limit.
Other simulators perform timing checks on the delayed inputs. To be compatible, ModelSim
supports both methods.

Force and Release Statements in Verilog

The Verilog Language Reference Manual IEEE Std 1800-2009. section 10.6.2, states that the
left-hand side of a force statement cannot be a bit-select or part-select. Questa deviates from the
LRM standard by supporting forcing of bit-selects, part-selects, and field-selects in your source
code. The right-hand side of these force statements may not be a variable.

Related Topics
Refer to the force command for more information.

Verilog-XL Compatible Simulator Arguments

The simulator arguments listed below are equivalent to Verilog-XL arguments and may ease the
porting of a design to ModelSim.
See the vsim command for a description of each argument.
+alt_path_delays
-l <filename>
+maxdelays
+mindelays
+multisource_int_delays
+no_cancelled_e_msg
+no_neg_tchk
+no_notifier
+no_path_edge
+no_pulse_msg
-no_risefall_delaynets
+no_show_cancelled_e
+nosdfwarn
+nowarn<mnemonic>
+ntc_warn
+pulse_e/<percent>
+pulse_e_style_ondetect
+pulse_e_style_onevent
+pulse_int_e/<percent>
+pulse_int_r/<percent>
+pulse_r/<percent>
+sdf_nocheck_celltype
+sdf_verbose
+show_cancelled_e
+transport_int_delays
+transport_path_delays
+typdelays

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Using Escaped Identifiers

ModelSim recognizes and maintains Verilog escaped identifier syntax. Prior to version 6.3,
Verilog escaped identifiers were converted to VHDL-style extended identifiers with a backslash
at the end of the identifier. Verilog escaped identifiers then appeared as VHDL extended
identifiers in simulation output and in command line interface (CLI) commands.
For example, a Verilog escaped identifier like the following:
\/top/dut/03

had to be displayed as follows:

\/top/dut/03\

Starting in version 6.3, all object names inside the simulator appear identical to their names in
original HDL source files.
Sometimes, in mixed language designs, hierarchical identifiers might refer to both VHDL
extended identifiers and Verilog escaped identifiers in the same fullpath. For example,
top/\VHDL*ext\/\Vlog*ext /bottom (assuming the PathSeparator variable is set to '/'), or
top.\VHDL*ext\.\Vlog*ext .bottom (assuming the PathSeparator variable is set to '.')
Any fullpath that appears as user input to the simulator (such as on the vsim command line, or in
a .do file) should be composed of components with valid escaped identifier syntax.
A modelsim.ini variable called GenerousIdentifierParsing can control parsing of identifiers. If
this variable is on (the variable is on by default: value = 1), either VHDL extended identifiers or
Verilog escaped identifier syntax may be used for objects of either language kind. This provides
backward compatibility with older .do files, which often contain pure VHDL extended identifier
syntax, even for escaped identifiers in Verilog design regions.
Note that SDF files are always parsed in generous mode. Signal Spy function arguments are
also parsed in generous mode.

Tcl and Escaped Identifiers

In Tcl, the backslash is one of a number of characters that have a special meaning.
For example,
\n

creates a new line.

When a Tcl command is used in the command line interface, the TCL backslash should be
escaped by adding another backslash. For example:
force -freeze /top/ix/iy/\\yw\[1\]\\ 10 0, 01 {50 ns} -r 100

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Cell Libraries

The Verilog identifier, in this example, is \yw[1]. Here, backslashes are used to escape the
square brackets ([]), which have a special meaning in Tcl.
For a more detailed description of special characters in Tcl and how backslashes should be used
with those characters, click Help > Tcl Syntax in the menu bar, or simply open the
docs/tcl_help_html/TclCmd directory in your QuestaSim installation.

Cell Libraries
Mentor Graphics has passed the Verilog test bench from the ASIC Council and achieved the
Library Tested and Approved designation from Si2 Labs. This test bench is designed to
ensure Verilog timing accuracy and functionality and is the first significant hurdle to complete
on the way to achieving full ASIC vendor support. As a consequence, many ASIC and FPGA
vendors Verilog cell libraries are compatible with ModelSim Verilog.
The cell models generally contain Verilog specify blocks that describe the path delays and
timing constraints for the cells. See Section 14 in the IEEE Std 1364-2005 for details on specify
blocks, and Section 15 for details on timing constraints. ModelSim Verilog fully implements
specify blocks and timing constraints as defined in IEEE Std 1364 along with some Verilog-XL
compatible extensions.

SDF Timing Annotation

ModelSim Verilog supports timing annotation from Standard Delay Format (SDF) files.

Related Topics
See Standard Delay Format (SDF) Timing Annotation for details.

Delay Modes
Verilog models may contain both distributed delays and path delays. Distributed delays appear
on primitives, UDPs, and continuous assignments; path delays are the port-to-port delays
specified in specify blocks. These delays interact to determine the actual delay observed. Most
Verilog cells use path delays exclusively, with no distributed delays specified.
The following code shows a simple two-input AND gate cell, where no distributed delay is
specified for the AND primitive.

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module and2(y, a, b);
input a, b;
output y;
and(y, a, b);
specify
(a => y) = 5;
(b => y) = 5;
endspecify
endmodule

For cells such as this, the actual delays observed on the module ports are taken from the path
delays. This is typical for most cells, though more complex cells may require nonzero
distributed delays to work properly.

Delay Modes and the Verilog Standard

The Verilog standard (LRM, IEEE Std 1364-2005) states that if a module contains both path
delays and distributed delays, then the larger of the two delays for each path shall be used
(Section 14.4).
This is the default behavior; however, you can specify alternate delay modes using compiler
directives and arguments to the vlog command:

Distributed Delay Mode

Path Delay Mode
Unit Delay Mode
Zero Delay Mode
Delay mode arguments to the vlog command take precedence over delay mode directives
in the source code.

Note that these directives and arguments are compatible with Verilog-XL. However, using these
modes results in behavior that is not clearly defined by the Verilog standardthe delays that are
set to zero can vary from one simulator to another (some simulators zero out only some delays).
Example 6-3 shows the 2-input AND gate cell using a different compiler directive to apply each
delay mode. In particular, ModelSim does the following:

The `delay_mode_zero directive sets both the continuous assignment delay (assign #2 c
= b) and the primitive delay (and #3 (y, a,c) ) to zero.

The `delay_mode_unit directive converts both of these nonzero delays (continuous

assignment and primitive) to 1.

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Example 6-3. Delay Mode Directives in a Verilog Cell

The following instances of a 2-input AND gate cell (and2_1, and2_2, and2_3, and2_4) use
compiler directives to apply each delay mode.
`delay_mode_zero
module and2_1(y, a, b);
input a, b;
output y;
wire c;
assign #2 c = b;
and #3(y, a, c);
specify
(a => y) = 5;
(b => y) = 5;
endspecify
endmodule
`delay_mode_unit
module and2_2(y, a, b);
input a, b;
output y;
wire c;
assign #2 c = b;
and #3(y, a, c);
specify
(a => y) = 5;
(b => y) = 5;
endspecify
endmodule
`delay_mode_distributed
module and2_3(y, a, b);
input a, b;
output y;
wire c;
assign #2 c = b;
and #3(y, a, c);
specify
(a => y) = 5;
(b => y) = 5;
endspecify
endmodule
`delay_mode_path
module and2_4(y, a, b);
input a, b;
output y;
wire c;
assign #2 c = b;
and #3(y, a, c);
specify
(a => y) = 5;

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(b => y) = 5;
endspecify
endmodule

Distributed Delay Mode

In distributed delay mode, the specify path delays are ignored in favor of the distributed delays.
You can specify this delay mode with the +delay_mode_distributed compiler argument or the
`delay_mode_distributed compiler directive.

Path Delay Mode

In path delay mode, the distributed delays are set to zero in any module that contains a path
delay. You can specify this delay mode with the +delay_mode_path compiler argument or the
`delay_mode_path compiler directive.

Unit Delay Mode

In unit delay mode, the nonzero distributed delays are set to one unit of simulation resolution
(determined by the minimum time_precision argument in all timescale directives in your
design or the value specified with the -t argument to vsim), and the specify path delays and
timing constraints are ignored. You can specify this delay mode with the +delay_mode_unit
compiler argument or the `delay_mode_unit compiler directive.

Zero Delay Mode

In zero delay mode, the distributed delays are set to zero, and the specify path delays and timing
constraints are ignored. You can specify this delay mode with the +delay_mode_zero compiler
argument or the `delay_mode_zero compiler directive.

SystemVerilog System Tasks and Functions

The system tasks and functions listed in this section are built into the simulator, although some
designs depend on user-defined system tasks implemented with the Programming Language
Interface (PLI), Verilog Procedural Interface (VPI), or the SystemVerilog DPI (Direct
Programming Interface). If the simulator issues warnings regarding undefined system tasks or
functions, then it is likely that these tasks or functions are defined by a PLI/VPI application that
must be loaded by the simulator.
ModelSim supports SystemVerilog system tasks and functions as follows:

Most system tasks and functions defined in SystemVerilog IEEE Std 1800-2012

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Several system tasks and functions that are specific to ModelSim

Several non-standard, Verilog-XL system tasks

IEEE Std 1800-2012 System Tasks and Functions

The following system tasks and functions are supported by ModelSim and are described more
completely in the Language Reference Manual (LRM) for SystemVerilog, IEEE Std
1800-2012.
Note
You can use the change command to modify local variables in Verilog and
SystemVerilog tasks and functions.

Utility System Tasks and Functions

Table 6-3. Utility System Tasks and Functions
Simulator control
tasks

Simulation time
functions

Timescale tasks

Data query functions

$finish

$realtime

$printtimescale

$bits

$stop

$stime

$timeformat

$isunbounded

$exit

$time

$typename

Table 6-4. Utility System Functions

Conversion
functions

Array querying
functions

Bit vector system

functions

$bitstoreal

$dimensions

countbits

$bitstoshortreal

$left

countones

$realtobits

$right

$onehot

$shortrealtobits

$low

$onehot0

$itor

$high

$isunknown

$rtoi

$increment

$signed

$size

$unsigned
$cast

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Table 6-5. Utility System Math Functions

Math Functions
$clog2

$floor

$acos

$cosh

$ln

$ceil

$atan

$tanh

$log10

$sin

$atan2

$asinh

$exp

$cos

$hypot

$acosh

$sqrt

$tan

$sinh

$atanh

$pow

$asin

Table 6-6. Utility System Elaboration Tasks and Coverage Functions

Elaboration tasks

Coverage control
functions

$fatal

$coverage_control

$error

$coverage_get

$warning

$coverage_get_max

$info

$coverage merge
$coverage_save
$get_coverage
$load_coverage_db
$set_coverage_db_name

Table 6-7. Utility System Analysis Tasks and Functions

Probabilistic
distribution
functions

Stochastic analysis
tasks and functions

PLA modeling tasks Miscellaneous tasks

and functions

$dist_chi_square

$q_add

$async$and$array

$dist_erlang

$q_exam

$async$nand$array

$dist_exponential

$q_full

$async$or$array

$dist_normal

$q_initialize

$async$nor$array

$dist_poisson

$q_remove

$async$and$plane

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Table 6-7. Utility System Analysis Tasks and Functions (cont.)

Probabilistic
distribution
functions

Stochastic analysis
tasks and functions

PLA modeling tasks Miscellaneous tasks

and functions

$dist_t

$async$nand$plane

$dist_uniform

$async$or$plane

$random

$async$nor$plane
$sync$and$array
$sync$nand$array
$sync$or$array
$sync$nor$array
$sync$and$plane
$sync$nand$plane
$sync$or$plane
$sync$nor$plane

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Input/Output System Tasks and Functions

Table 6-8. Input/Output System Tasks and Functions
Display tasks

Value change dump

(VCD) file tasks

$display

$dumpall

$displayb

$dumpfile

$displayh

$dumpflush

$displayo

$dumplimit

$monitor

$dumpoff

$monitorb

$dumpon

$monitorh

$dumpvars

$monitoro
$monitoroff
$monitoron
$strobe
$strobeb
$strobeh
$strobeo
$write
$writeb
$writeh
$writeo

Table 6-9. Input/Output System Memory and Argument Tasks

Memory load tasks

Memory dump tasks

Command line input

$readmemb

$writememb

$test$plusargs

$readmemh

$writememh

$value$plusargs

Table 6-10. Input/Output System File I/O Tasks

File I/O tasks
$fclose

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$fwriteo

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Table 6-10. Input/Output System File I/O Tasks (cont.)

File I/O tasks

208

$fdisplay

$fopen

$rewind

$fdisplayb

$fread

$sdf_annotate

$fdisplayh

$fscanf

$sformatf

$fdisplayo

$fseek

$sscanf

$feof

$fstrobe

$swrite

$ferror

$fstrobeb

$swriteb

$fflush

$fstrobeh

$swriteh

$fgetc

$fstrobeo

$swriteo

$fgets

$ftell

$ungetc

$fmonitor

$fwrite

$fmonitorb

$fwriteb

$fmonitorh

$fwriteh

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Other System Tasks and Functions

Table 6-11. Other System Tasks and Functions
Timing check tasks

Random number functions

Other functions

$hold

$urandom

$root

$nochange

$urandom_range

$unit

$period
$recovery
$setup
$setuphold
$skew
$width1
$removal
$recrem
1. Verilog-XL ignores the threshold argument even though it is part of the Verilog spec.
ModelSim does not ignore this argument. Be careful that you do not set the threshold
argument greater-than-or-equal to the limit argument as that essentially disables the $width
check. Also, note that you cannot override the threshold argument by using SDF annotation.

Using the $typename Data Query Function

The type name string returned by $typename() will not include class, struct and enum members,
nor any class extensions.
This default behavior can be overwritten using any of the following predefined macros as the
optional second argument to $typename():

`mtiTypenameExpandSuper Extensions are included in type name.

`mtiTypenameExpandMembers Class, struct and enum members are included.
`mtiTypenameExpandAll Members and extensions are both included.

Example Usage
$typename(a, `mtiTypenameExpandAll);
The various form of $typename() output for a parametrized class "vector" which extends
another parametrized class "vector_base", both of which are defined in the module
scope "typename_parameterized_class":
$typename(a) will return:
class typename_parameterized_class/vector #(10, reg, 0)
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$typename(a, `mtiTypenameExpandSuper) will return:

class typename_parameterized_class/vector #(10, reg, 0) extends class
typename_parameterized_class/vector_base #(reg)
$typename(a, `mtiTypenameExpandMembers) will return:
class typename_parameterized_class/vector #(10, reg, 0){reg b; reg$[9:0] a;}
$typename(a, `mtiTypenameExpandAll) will return:
class typename_parameterized_class/vector #(10, reg, 0){reg b; reg$[9:0] a;} extends
class typename_parameterized_class/vector_base #(reg){reg b;}

Old behavior of $typename(a):

class {reg b;reg$[9:0] a;}/typename_parameterized_class/vector::vector #( 10, logic, 0) extends
class {reg b;}/typename_parameterized_class/vector_base::vector_base #(logic)

Task and Function Names Without Round Braces

()
Strict compliance with the Language Reference Manual IEEE Std 1364 requires that all
hierarchical task and function names have round braces () following the name to call the task
or function. In ModelSim 10.3 and later you may use hierarchical task and function names
without round braces.
The compiler will use the following rules for interpreting task and function names without
round braces:
1. Non class tasks/functions (static or non static) will be interpreted as a search in the scope
of the function and not a function call.
2. Non-static class methods will be treated as a function call.
3. Static class methods will be treated as a lookup in the function scope.
4. Once a function call is made for a hierarchical name, all subsequent function names will
be treated as function calls whether the type of function is static or non-static.

Examples
module top;
class CTest1 ;
string s;
static function
CTest1 g();
static CTest1 s = new();
CTest1 t = new();
$display ("hello_static" ) ;
return t;
endfunction

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function
CTest1 f();
static string s;
CTest1 t = new();
$display ("hello_auto" ) ;
return t;
endfunction
endclass;
CTest1 t1 = new();
initial t1.g.s.f.g.s="hello";
endmodule

In the above code, the dotted name:

t1.g.s.f.g.s

is interpreted by the fourth rule above as:

t1.g.s.f().g().s

The first g is treated as a scope lookup, since it is a static function. Since f is an automatic
function, it is treated as a function call. The next g is treated as a function call g() since
according to rule 4, once an automatic function gets called, all subsequent names in the list
which are Function names, whether static or automatic, are treated as function calls.

Verilog-XL Compatible System Tasks and

Functions
ModelSim supports a number of Verilog-XL specific system tasks and functions.

Supported Tasks and Functions Mentioned in IEEE Std

1364
The following supported system tasks and functions, though not part of the IEEE standard, are
described in an annex of the IEEE Std 1364.
$countdrivers
$getpattern
$sreadmemb
$sreadmemh

Supported Tasks and Functions Not Described in IEEE

Std 1364
The following system tasks are also provided for compatibility with Verilog-XL, though they
are not described in the IEEE Std 1364.
$deposit(variable, value);

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This system task sets a Verilog net to the specified value. variable is the net to be
changed; value is the new value for the net. The value remains until there is a
subsequent driver transaction or another $deposit task for the same net. This system task
operates identically to the ModelSim force -deposit command.
$disable_warnings("<keyword>"[,<module_instance>...]);

This system task instructs ModelSim to disable warnings about timing check violations
or triregs that acquire a value of X due to charge decay. <keyword> may be decay or
timing. You can specify one or more module instance names. If you do not specify a
module instance, ModelSim disables warnings for the entire simulation.
$enable_warnings("<keyword>"[,<module_instance>...]);

This system task enables warnings about timing check violations or triregs that acquire a
value of X due to charge decay. <keyword> may be decay or timing. You can specify
one or more module instance names. If you do not specify a module_instance,
ModelSim enables warnings for the entire simulation.
$system("command");

This system function takes a literal string argument, executes the specified operating
system command, and displays the status of the underlying OS process. Double quotes
are required for the OS command. For example, to list the contents of the working
directory on Unix:
$system("ls -l");

Return value of the $system function is a 32-bit integer that is set to the exit status code
of the underlying OS process.
Note
There is a known issue in the return value of this system function on the win32 platform.
If the OS command is built with a cygwin compiler, the exit status code may not be
reported correctly when an exception is thrown, and thus the return code may be wrong.
The workaround is to avoid building the application using cygwin or to use the switch
-mno-cygwin in cygwin on the gcc command line.
$systemf(list_of_args)

This system function can take any number of arguments. The list_of_args is treated
exactly the same as with the $display() function. The OS command that runs is the final
output from $display() given the same list_of_args. Return value of the $systemf
function is a 32-bit integer that is set to the exit status code of the underlying OS
process.

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Note
There is a known issue in the return value of this system function on the win32 platform.
If the OS command is built with a cygwin compiler, the exit status code may not be
reported correctly when an exception is thrown, and thus the return code may be wrong.
The workaround is to avoid building the application using cygwin or to use the switch
-mno-cygwin in cygwin on the gcc command line.

Extensions to Supported System Tasks

Additional functionality has been added to the $fopen, $setuphold, and $recrem system tasks.

New Directory Path With $fopen

The $fopen systemtask has been extended to create a new directory path if the path does not
currently exist.
You must set the CreateDirForFileAccess modelsim.ini variable to '1' to enable this feature. For
example: your current directory contains the directory dir_1 with no other directories below it
and the CreateDirForFileAccess variable is set to 1. Executing the following line of code:
fileno = $fopen("dir_1/nodir_2/nodir_3/testfile", "w");

creates the directory path nodir_2/nodir_3 and opens the file testfile in write mode.

Negative Timing Checks With $setuphold and $recrem

The $setuphold and $recrem system tasks have been extended to provide additional
functionality for negative timing constraints and an alternate method of conditioning, as in
Verilog-XL.

Related Topics
Refer to Commands Supporting Negative Timing Check Limits for more information.

Unsupported Verilog-XL System Tasks

The following system tasks are Verilog-XL system tasks that are not implemented in ModelSim
Verilog, but have equivalent simulator commands.
$input("filename")

This system task reads commands from the specified filename. The equivalent simulator
command is do <filename>.
$list[(hierarchical_name)]

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This system task lists the source code for the specified scope. The equivalent
functionality is provided by selecting a module in the Structure (sim) window. The
corresponding source code is displayed in a Source window.
$reset

This system task resets the simulation back to its time 0 state. The equivalent simulator
command is restart.
$restart("filename")

This system task sets the simulation to the state specified by filename, saved in a
previous call to $save. The equivalent simulator command is restore <filename>.
$save("filename")

This system task saves the current simulation state to the file specified by filename. The
equivalent simulator command is checkpoint <filename>.
$scope(hierarchical_name)

This system task sets the interactive scope to the scope specified by hierarchical_name.
The equivalent simulator command is environment <pathname>.
$showscopes

This system task displays a list of scopes defined in the current interactive scope. The
equivalent simulator command is show.
$showvars

This system task displays a list of registers and nets defined in the current interactive
scope. The equivalent simulator command is show.

String Class Methods for Matching Patterns

This group of functions are not a part of the SystemVerilog LRM. However, the ModelSim
simulator supports their use, unless you inlcude the -pedanticerrors argument to vlog, in which
case you will receive an error.
The regular expressions for these functions use Perl pattern syntax.

search() This function searches for a pattern in the string and returns the integer index
to the beginning of the pattern.
search(string pattern);

where pattern must be a string. For example:

integer i;
string str = "ABCDEFGHIJKLM";
i = str.search("HIJ");
printf("%d \n", i);

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results in printing out 8.

match () This function processes a regular expression pattern match, returning a 1 if

the expression is found or a 0 if the expression is not found or if there is an error in the
regular expression.
match (string pattern);

where pattern must be a regular expression. For example:

integer i;
string str;
str = "ABCDEFGHIJKLM";
i = str.match("CDE);

results assigning the value 1 to integer i because the pattern CDE exists within string str.

prematch() This function returns the string before a match, based on the result of the
last match() function call.
prematch();

Based on the example for match(), the following:

str1 = str.prematch();

would be assigned the string AB

postmatch() This function returns the string after a match, based on the result of the
last match() function call.
postmatch();

Based on the example for match(), the following:

str2 = str.postmatch();

would be assigned the string FGHIJKLM

thismatch() This function returns matched string, based on the result of the last
match() function call.
thismatch();

Based on the example for match(), the following:

str3 = str.thismatch();

would be assigned the string CDE

backref() This function returns matched patterns, based on the last match() function
call.
backref(integer index);

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where index is the integer number of the expression being matched (indexing starts at 0).
For example:
integer i;
string str, patt, str1, str2;
str = "12345ABCDE"
patt = "([0-9]+) ([a-zA-Z .]+)";
i = str.match(patt);
str1 = str.backref(0);
str2 = str.backref(1);

results in assigning the value 12345 to the string str1 because of the match to the
expression [0-9]+. It also results in assigning the value ABCDE to the string str2
because of the match to the expression [a-zA-Z .]+.
You can specify any number of additional Perl expressions in the definition of patt and
then call them using sequential index numbers.

Compiler Directives
ModelSim Verilog supports all of the compiler directives defined in the IEEE Std 1364, some
Verilog-XL compiler directives, and some that are proprietary.
Many of the compiler directives (such as `timescale) take effect at the point they are defined in
the source code and stay in effect until the directive is redefined or until it is reset to its default
by a `resetall directive. The effect of compiler directives spans source files, so the order of
source files on the compilation command line could be significant. For example, if you have a
file that defines some common macros for the entire design, then you might need to place it first
in the list of files to be compiled.
The `resetall directive affects only the following directives by resetting them back to their
default settings (this information is not provided in the IEEE Std 1364):
`celldefine
default_decay_time
`default_nettype
`delay_mode_distributed
`delay_mode_path
`delay_mode_unit
`delay_mode_zero
`protect
`timescale
`unconnected_drive
`uselib

ModelSim Verilog implicitly defines the following macro:

`define QUESTA

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IEEE Std 1364 Compiler Directives

The following compiler directives are described in detail in the IEEE Std 1364.
`celldefine
`default_nettype
`define
èlse
èlsif
èndcelldefine
èndif
ìfdef
ifndef
ìnclude
line
`nounconnected_drive
`resetall
`timescale
ùnconnected_drive
ùndef

Verilog-XL Compatible Compiler Directives

The following compiler directives are provided for compatibility with Verilog-XL.
default_decay_time <time>

This directive specifies the default decay time to be used in trireg net declarations that
do not explicitly declare a decay time. The decay time can be expressed as a real or
integer number, or as infinite to specify that the charge never decays.
`delay_mode_distributed

This directive disables path delays in favor of distributed delays. See Delay Modes for
details.
`delay_mode_path

This directive sets distributed delays to zero in favor of path delays. See Delay Modes
for details.
`delay_mode_unit

This directive sets path delays to zero and nonzero distributed delays to one time unit.
See Delay Modes for details.
`delay_mode_zero

This directive sets path delays and distributed delays to zero. See Delay Modes for
details.
`uselib

This directive is an alternative to the -v, -y, and +libext source library compiler
arguments. See Verilog-XL uselib Compiler Directive for details.

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Unmatched Virtual Interface Declarations

The following Verilog-XL compiler directives are silently ignored by ModelSim Verilog. Many
of these directives are irrelevant to ModelSim Verilog, but may appear in code being ported
from Verilog-XL.
àccelerate
àutoexpand_vectornets
`disable_portfaults
ènable_portfaults
èxpand_vectornets
`noaccelerate
`noexpand_vectornets
`noremove_gatenames
`noremove_netnames
`nosuppress_faults
`remove_gatenames
`remove_netnames
`suppress_faults

The following Verilog-XL compiler directives produce warning messages in ModelSim

Verilog. These are not implemented in ModelSim Verilog, and any code containing these
directives may behave differently in ModelSim Verilog than in Verilog-XL.
`default_trireg_strength
`signed
`unsigned

Unmatched Virtual Interface Declarations

The [1800-2012 SV] LRM does not address the relationship between interfaces as design
elements and virtual interfaces as types. The ModelSim flow allows substantial flexibility in
allowing virtual interfaces to exist even when the underlying interface design unit doesn't exist,
even in the design libraries.
When no matching interface exists, a virtual interface necessarily has a null value throughout
simulation as any incompatible assignment causes an error. In all cases of accessing data during
simulation through such a virtual interface, an error results due to dereferencing a null virtual
interface.
However, there are a few situations in which types from such references can participate in the
design without requiring a dereference of the virtual interface pointer. This is extremely rare in
practice, but due to ModelSims overall elaboration and simulation flow, it is not possible for
ModelSim to determine whether such type references will actually be exercised during
simulation. So, for these cases, you can allow vsim to elaborate the design by adding the
following argument to vsim:
vsim -permit_unmatched_virtual_intf

Important: When using the -permit_unmatched_virtual_intf argument, take care to

ensure that no simulation time operations occur through unmatched virtual interfaces.

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ModelSim supports the use of the Verilog PLI (Programming Language Interface) and VPI
(Verilog Procedural Interface) and the SystemVerilog DPI (Direct Programming Interface).
These interfaces provide a mechanism for defining tasks and functions that communicate with
the simulator through a C procedural interface.

Standards, Nomenclature, and Conventions

The products implementation of the Verilog VPI is based on the following standards.

IEEE 1364-2005 and 1364-2001 (Verilog)

IEEE 1800-2005 (SystemVerilog)

ModelSim supports partial implementation of the Verilog VPI. For release-specific information
on currently supported implementation, refer to the following text file located in the ModelSim
installation directory:
<install_dir>/docs/technotes/Verilog_VPI.note
Note
ModelSim does not support pthread with DPI.

Related Topics
For more information on the ModelSim implementation, refer to Verilog Interfaces to C.

Extensions to SystemVerilog DPI

This section describes extensions to the SystemVerilog DPI for ModelSim.

SystemVerilog DPI extension to support automatic DPI import tasks and functions.
You can specify the automatic lifetime qualifier to a DPI import declaration in order to
specify that the DPI import task or function can be reentrant.
ModelSim supports the following addition to the SystemVerilog DPI import tasks and
functions (additional support is in bold):
dpi_function_proto ::= function_prototype
function_prototype ::= function [lifetime] data_type_or_void
function_identifier ( [ tf_port_list ] )

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dpi_task_proto ::= task_prototype

task_prototype ::= task [lifetime] task_identifier
( [ tf_port_list ] )
lifetime ::= static | automatic

The following are a couple of examples:

import DPI-C cfoo = task automatic foo(input int p1);
import DPI-C context function automatic int foo (input int p1);

SystemVerilog Class Debugging

Debugging your design starts with an understanding of how the design is put together, the
hierarchy, the environments, the class types. ModelSim gives you a number of avenues for
exploring your design, finding the areas of the design that are causing trouble, pinpointing the
specific part of the code that is at fault, making the changes necessary to fix the code, then
running the simulation again.
This section describes the steps you take to enable the class debugging features and the
windows and commands that display information about the classes in your design.

Enabling Class Debug

You can enable visibility of class instances in your design in two ways.

Procedure
1. Use the vsim -classdebug option.
2. Set the ClassDebug modelsim.ini variable to 1.

The Class Instance Identifier

The Class Instance Identifier (CIID or Handle) is a unique name for every class instance created
during a simulation. The CIID format is @<class-type>@<n> where <class_type> is the name
of the class and <n> is the nth instance of that class. For example: @packet@134 is the 134th
instance of the class type packet.
The class type name alone may be used in the CIID if the class type name is unique in the
design. However, if the class type name is not unique the full path to the type declaration is
necessary.
The CIID may be used in commands such as examine, describe, add wave, add list.

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Note
A CIID is unique for a given simulation. Modifying a design, or running the same design
with different parameters, randomization seeds, or other configurations that change the
order of operations, may result in a class instance changing. For example, @packet@134
in one simulation run may not be the same @packet@134 in another simulation run if the
design has changed.

Obtaining the CIID with the examine Command

You can use the examine -handle command to return the CIID to the transcript.

Procedure
1. Enter the following command at the command line:
examine -handle <filename>

Obtaining the CIID With a System Function

The built in system function $get_id_from_handle( class_ref ) may be used to obtain the string
representing the class instance id for the specified class reference.

Procedure
1. The procedure is best illustrated with an example. The following code snippet will
display the CIID of the class item referenced by var.
myclass var;
initial begin
#10
var = new();
$display( "%t : var = %s", $time, $get_id_from_handle(var) );
end

Results
10 : var = @myclass@1

Logging Class Types and Class Instances

You must log class variables, class types, or class instances in order to view them in the Wave
and List windows, and to view them post-simulation. The data recorded depends on the type of
class object you log.

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1. Log the class variable to create a record of all class objects the variable references from
the time they are assigned to the variable to when they are destroyed. For example:
log sim:/top/simple

You can find the correct syntax for the class variable by dragging and dropping the class
variable from the Objects window into the Transcript.
2. Log a class type to create a contiguous record of each instance of that class type from the
time the instance first comes into existence to the time the instance is destroyed with the
log -class command. For example:
log -class sim:/mem_agent_pkg::mem_item

Refer to Finding the Class Type Syntax for more information.

3. Log a specific instance of a class until it is destroyed by specifying the class identifier
for the specific class instance. For example:
log @myclass@7

Refer to The Class Instance Identifier for more information about finding and specifying
a class instance identifier.
4. Log a Class Path Expression. Refer to Working with Class Path Expressions for more
information.

Working with Class Types

You can view the class types in your design in the Class Tree, Class Graph, Structure, and other
windows.

Authoritative and Descriptive Class Type Names

ModelSim maintains two representations for class names: the authoritative class type name and
the descriptive class type name. This name mapping is specifically to support parameterized
class specializations.

Authoritative Class Type Names

Authoritative names end with "__n" where 'n' is an integer. For example: /pkg::mypclass__6.
Authoritative names offer a shorter, well-formed name, for a parameterized class specialization.
Authoritative names are used in most places in the user interface. They are also used as input to
commands that take a class type argument.

Descriptive Class Type Names

Descriptive names more closely resemble the class definition, but are longer (sometimes much
longer) and are sometimes difficult to read and parse. For example: /pkg::mypclass #( class

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inputclass, 128, class report__2 ). Descriptive names are used in error messages and are shown
in some places in the GUI such as in the class tree window.
The classinfo descriptive command will translate an authoritative name to a descriptive name.
For example:
VSIM> classinfo descriptive /pkg::mypclass__6
# Class /pkg::mypclass__6 maps to /pkg::mypclass #( class inputclass, 128,
class report__2 )

In this example, one of the parameters in the descriptive name is also a specialization of a
parameterized class.

Finding the Class Type Syntax

The <class_type> may be specified using the specific class type name or any path that resolves
to the class type. For example: @packet@134 may also be specified as
@/test_pkg::packet@134 assuming the class packet is defined in /test_pkg.
You can use the classinfo types -n command to determine whether or not a type name is unique
and return the requisite full class type name to the transcript. For example, the following
command returns all the shortest usable names for all class type names containing the string
"foo" :
VSIM> classinfo types -n *foo*
#
#
#
#

my_foo
foo2
/top/mod1/foo
/top/mod2/foo

In the output, my_foo and foo2 are unique class types. However, the last two entries show that
there are two distinct class types with the name 'foo'; one defined in mod1 and the other in
mod2. To specify an instance of type 'foo', the full path of the specific foo is required, for
example @/top/mod2/foo@19.
You can also find the correct syntax for a class type by dragging and dropping the class type
from the Structure window into the Transcript window.

Viewing Class Types in the GUI

You can view class types in several windows, including the Structure, Class Tree, and Class
Graph windows.

The Class Tree Window

The Class Tree window displays the class inheritance tree in various forms. You can expand
objects to see parent/child relationships, properties, and methods. You can organize by extended
class (default) or base class.
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The Class Tree window can help with an overview of your environment and architecture. It also
helps you view information about an object that is both a base and extended class. (Figure 6-5)
Figure 6-5. Classes in the Class Tree Window

Refer to the Class Tree Window section for more information.

The Class Graph Window

The Class Graph window displays interactive relationships between SystemVerilog classes in a
graphical form and includes extensions of other classes and related methods and properties. You
can organize by extended class (default) or by base class. Use it to show all of the relationships
between the classes in your design.

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Figure 6-6. Class in the Class Graph Window

Refer to the Class Graph Window section for more information.

The Structure Window

The Structure window displays the class types in your design. You must select a class type in
the Structure window to view that class types instances in the Class Instances window.

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Figure 6-7. Classes in the Structure Window

Working with Class Instances

Viewing class instances is helpful for finding class, OVM, and UVM components or subtypes
that have been instantiated. You can see how many of the instances have been created in the
Class Instances window or with the classinfo report and classinfo instances commands. You can
search through the list of components or transactions for an object with a specific value in the
Objects window.

The Class Instances Window

The Class Instances window displays information about all instances of a selected class type
that exist at the current simulation time.
You can open the Class Instances window by selecting View > Class Browser > Class
Instances or by specifying view classinstances on the command line. (Figure 6-8)

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Figure 6-8. The Class Instances Window

Prerequisites
The class debug feature must be enabled to use the Class Instances window. Refer to Enabling
Class Debug for more information.
The Class Instances window is dynamically populated by selecting SystemVerilog classes in
the Structure (sim) window. All currently active instances of the selected class are displayed in
the Class Instances window. Class instances that have not yet come into existence or have been
destroyed are not displayed. Refer to The classinfo Commands for more information about
verifying the current state of a class instance.

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Once you have chosen the design unit you want to observe, you can lock the Class Instances
window on that design unit by selecting File > Environment > Fix to Current Context when
the Class Instances window is active.

Viewing Class Instances in the Wave Window

The suggested workflow for logging SystemVerilog class objects in the Wave window is as
follows.
1. Log the class objects you are interested in viewing (refer to Logging Class Types and
Class Instances for more information)
2. Select a design unit or testbench System Verilog class type in the Structure Window that
contains the class instances you want to see. The class type will be identified as a
System Verilog class object in the Design Unit column. All currently existing class
instances associated with that class type or testbench item are displayed in the Class
Instances window. (Open the Class Instances window by selecting View > Class
Browser > Class Instances from the menus or use the view class instances command.)
3. Place the class objects in the Wave window once they exist by doing one of the
following:

228

Drag a class instance from the Class Instances window or the Objects window and
drop it into the Wave window (refer to Figure 6-9).

Select multiple objects in the Class Instances window, click and hold the Add
Selected to Window button in the Standard toolbar, then select the position of the
placement; the top of the Wave window, the end of the Wave window, or above the
anchor location. The group of class instances are arranged with the most recently
created instance at the top. You can change the order of the class instances to show
the first instance at the top of the window by selecting View > Sort > Ascending.

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Figure 6-9. Placing Class Instances in the Wave Window

You can hover the mouse over any class waveform to display information about the class
variable (Figure 6-10).

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Figure 6-10. Class Information Popup in the Wave Window

The Locals Window

The Locals window displays data objects that are immediately visible at the current execution
point of the selected context. Clicking in the objects window or Structure window might make
you lose the current context. The Locals window is synchronized with the Call-Stack window
and the contents are updated as you move through the design.

Related Topics
Refer to the Locals Window section for more information.

The Watch Window

The Watch window displays signal or variable values at the current simulation time. It helps
you view a subset of local or class variables when stopped on a breakpoint.
Use the Watch window when the Locals window is crowded. You can drag and drop objects
from the Locals window into the Watch window (Figure 6-11).

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Figure 6-11. Class Viewing in the Watch Window

Refer to the Watch Window section for more information.

The Call Stack Window

The Call Stack window is useful for viewing your design when you are stopped at a breakpoint.
You can go up the call stack to see the locals context at each stage of your design.

Related Topics
Refer to the Call Stack Window section for more information.

Working with Class Path Expressions

A class path expression is a hierarchical path through a class hierarchy.
Class path expressions:

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allow you to view class properties in the Wave and Watch windows, and return data
about class properties with the examine command. You can see how the class properties
change over time even when class references within the path expression change values.

may be added to the Wave window even when they do not exist.

may be cast to the legal types for the expression. In the Wave window, the casting
options are restricted to the set of types of objects actually assigned to the references.

are automatically logged once the expression is added to the Wave window.

may be expanded inline in the Wave window without having to add class objects to the
Wave window individually.

Class Path Expression Syntax

Class path expressions require a specific syntax.
For example, a correct path expression is written as follows:
/top/myref.xarray[2].prop

where
myref is a class variable
xarray is an array of class references
prop is a property in the xarray element class type
In this case the expression allows you to watch the value of prop even if myref changes to point
to a different class object, or if the reference in element [2] of xarray changes.

Adding a Class Path Expression to the Wave Window

You can add a class path expression to the Wave window with the add wave command.
For example:
add wave /top/myref.ref_array[0].prop

Class Path Expression Values

A class path expression may have one of several possible values.
1. The expression may have a standard value of the type of the leaf element in the
expression.
2. The expression may have a value of Null if the leaf element is a class reference and its
value is null.

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3. The expression may have a value of Does Not Exist in the case that an early part of the
expression has a null value. In the earlier example, /top/myref.xarray[2].prop, if myref is
null then prop does not exist.
Figure 6-12. Class Path Expressions in the Wave Window

Casting a Class Variable to a Specific Type

You can cast a class variable to any of the class types that have been assigned to that class
variable. the default is the declared type of the class variable.

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Figure 6-13. /top/a Cast as c1 and c1prime

Procedure
1. Right-click (RMB) the class variable waveform and select Cast to.
2. RMB over the name/value of the class reference in the Pathnames or the Values Pane of
the Wave window to open a popup menu. Select Cast to > <class_type>. The current
value will have check mark next to it. (Figure 6-14)

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Figure 6-14. Casting c1 to c1prime

Class Objects vs Class Path Expressions

By default, a path that includes a class reference will be interpreted in the user interface as a
path expression. There are cases where the interpreted object is what is desired and not the path
expression.
For example,
add wave /top/myref.prop

will add the class path expression to the wave window. The expression will be evaluated
regardless of what class object is referenced by myref.
Using the -obj argument to the add wave command will cause the command to interpret the
expression immediately and add the specific class object to the Wave window instead of the
class path expression. For example:
add wave -obj /top/myref.prop

will add the currently class object and property to the Wave window, in this case,
@myref@19.prop. @myref@19 is the specific object at the time the command was executed.

Disabling Class Path Expressions

Setting the MTI_DISABLE_PATHEXPR environment variable will disable the interpretations
of all class path expressions. This is equivalent to the behavior in version 10.2 and earlier.

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Conditional Breakpoints in Dynamic Code

You can set a breakpoint or a conditional breakpoint at any place in your source code.

Examples

Conditional breakpoint in dynamic code

bp mem_driver.svh 60 -cond {this.id == 9}

Stop on a specific instance ID.

a. Enter the command:
examine -handle

b. Drag and drop the object from the Objects window into the Transcript window.
ModelSim adds the full path to the command.
examine handle
{sim:/uvm_pkg::uvm_top.top_levels[0].super.m_env.m_mem_agent.m_driver}

c. Press Enter
Returns the class instance ID in the form @<class_type>@<n>:
# @mem_driver@1

d. Enter the class instance ID as the condone in the breakpoint.

bp mem_driver.svh 60 -cond {this == @mem_driver@1}

Stop on a more complex condition:

bp bfm.svh 50 {
set handle [examine -handle this];
set x_en_val [examine this.x_en_val];
if {($handle != @my_bfm@7) || ($x_en_val != 1)}{
continue
}
}

Refer to Setting Conditional Breakpoints or more information about conditional breakpoints.

Stepping Through Your Design

Stepping through your design is helpful once you have pinpointed the area of the design where
you think theres a problem. In addition to stepping to the next line, statement, function or
procedure, you have the ability to step within the current context (process or thread). This is
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helpful when debugging class based code since the next step may take you to a different thread
or section of your code rather than to the next instance of a class type.
For example:
Table 6-12. Stepping Within the Current Context.
Step the simulation into the next statement,
remaining within the current context.
Step the simulation over a function or
procedure remaining within the current
context. Executes the function or procedure
call without stepping into it.
Step the simulation out of the current function
or procedure, remaining within the current
context.
Refer to the Step Toolbar section for a complete description of the stepping features.

The Run Until Here Feature

To quickly and easily run to a specific line of code, you can use the Run Until Here feature.
When you invoke Run Until Here, the simulation will run from the current simulation time and
stop on the specified line of code unless

The simulator encounters a breakpoint.

The Run Length preference variable causes the simulation run to stop.
The simulation encounters a bug.

Command Line Interface

Enter commands on the Vsim command line in the Transcript window. This allows you to work
with data for class types, their scopes, paths, names, and so forth. You can call SystemVerilog
static functions and class functions with the call command. Commands also help you find the
proper name syntax for referencing class based objects in the GUI.

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Class Instance Values

The examine command returns current values for classes or variables to the transcript while
debugging. The examine command can help you debug by displaying the name of a class
instance or the field values for a class instance before setting a conditional breakpoint.

Examples

Print the current values of a class instance.

examine /ovm_pkg::ovm_test_top

Print the values when stopped at a breakpoint within a class.

examine this

Print the unique ID of a specific class instance using the full path to the object.
examine handle /ovm_pkg::ovm_test_top.i_btn_env

Print the unique handle of the class object located at the current breakpoint.
examine handle this

Print the value of a specific class instance.

examine @mem_item@9

Class Instance Properties

Use the describe command to display data members, properties, methods, tasks, inheritance,
and other information about class instances, and print it in the transcript window.

Display data for the class instance @questa_messagelogger_report_server@1

describe @questa_messagelogger_report_server@1

Returns:
# class /questa_uvm_pkg::questa_messagelogger_report_server extends
/uvm_pkg::uvm_report_server
#
static /questa_uvm_pkg::questa_messagelogger_report_server
m_q;
#
function new;
#
static function message_logger;
#
function compose_message;
#
function process_report;
#
static function get;
#
static function init;
# endclass

Display data for the class type mailbox__1

describe mailbox__1

Returns:

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class /std::mailbox::mailbox__1
#
Queue items;
#
int maxItems;
#
chandle read_awaiting;
#
chandle write_awaiting;
#
chandle qtd;
#
/std::semaphore read_semaphore;
#
/std::semaphore write_semaphore;
#
function new;
#
task put;
#
function try_put;
#
task get;
#
function try_get;
#
task peek;
#
function try_peek;
#
function post_randomize;
#
function pre_randomize;
#
function constraint_mode;
# endclass

Calling Functions
The call command calls SystemVerilog static functions, class functions directly from the vsim
command line in live simulation mode and PLI and VPI system tasks and system functions,.
Tasks are not supported.
Function return values are returned to the vsim shell as a Tcl string. Returns the class instance
ID when a function returns a class reference.
Call a static function or a static 0 time task from the command line.
Examples:
call /ovm_pkg::ovm_top.find my_comp
call @ovm_root@1.find my_comp
call @ovm_root@1.print_topology
call /uvm_pkg::factory.print

The classinfo Commands

The classinfo commands give you high level information about the class types and class
instances in your design.

Finding the Full Path and Name of a Class Type

The classinfo descriptive command returns the descriptive class type name given the
authoritative class type name.
The authoritative class type name (e.g. mypclass__9 ) has a corresponding descriptive name
that may be more useful in determining the actual class type and the details of it's specialization.
This command allows you to see the mapping from the authoritative name to the descriptive
name.
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Prerequisites
Specify the -classdebug argument with the vsim command.

Procedure
1. Enter the classinfo descriptive command for the desired class type.
classinfo descriptive <class_type>

Examples

Display the descriptive class type name for /std::mailbox::mailbox__1

classinfo descriptive /std::mailbox::mailbox__1

Returns:
# Class /std::mailbox::mailbox__1 maps to mailbox #(class uvm_phase)

Related Topics
Refer to Authoritative and Descriptive Class Type Names for more information, and see the
classinfo descriptive command.

Determining the Current State of a Class Instance

The classinfo find command searches the currently active dataset for the state of the specified
Class Instance Identifier, whether it exists, has not yet been created, or has been destroyed. You
can specify an alternate dataset for the search and save the results of the search to a text file or to
the transcript as a tcl string.

Procedure
1. Enter the classinfo find command with the desired class instance.
classinfo find <class_instance>

Examples

Verify the existence of the class instance @mem_item@87

classinfo find @mem_item@87

Returns:
# @mem_item@87 exists

or
# @mem_item@87 not yet created

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or
# @mem_item@87 has been destroyed

Related Topics
See the classinfo find command.

Finding All Instances of a Class Type

The classinfo instances command reports the list of existing class instances for a specific class
type. This could be useful in determining what class instances to log or examine. It may also
help in debugging problems where class instances are not being cleaned up as they should be
resulting in run-away memory usage.

Procedure
1. Enter the classinfo instances command with the desired class type.
classinfo instances <classname>

Examples

List the currently active instances of the class type mem_item.

classinfo instances mem_item

Returns:
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#

@mem_item@140
@mem_item@139
@mem_item@138
@mem_item@80
@mem_item@76
@mem_item@72
@mem_item@68
@mem_item@64

Related Topics
See the classinfo instances command.

Reporting Statistics for All Class Instances

The classinfo report command prints detailed statistics about class instances.
The report includes:

full relative path

class instance name

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total number of instances of the named class

current number of instances of the named class

maximum number of instances of a named class that existed simultaneously at any time
in the simulation

The columns may be arranged, sorted, or eliminated using the command arguments.

Procedure
1. Enter the classinfo report command at the command line.
classinfo report

Examples

Create a report of all class instances in descending order in the Total column. Print the
Class Names, Total, Peak, and Current columns. List only the first six lines of that
report.
classinfo report -s dt -c ntpc -m 6

Returns:
#
#
#
#
#
#
#

Class Name
Total
uvm_pool__11
318
uvm_event
286
uvm_callback_iter__1
273
uvm_queue__3
197
uvm_object_string_pool__1 175
mem_item
140

Peak Current
315
315
55
52
3
2
13
10
60
58
25
23

Related Topics
See the classinfo report command.

Reporting Class Instance Statistics for a Simulation Run

The classinfo stats command reports statistics about the total number of class types and total,
peak, and current class instance counts during the simulation.

Procedure
1. Enter the classinfo stats command at the command line.
classinfo stats

Examples

242

Display the current number of class types, the maximum number, peak number and
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classinfo stats

Returns:
#
#
#
#

class
class
class
class

type count
451
instance count (total)
2070
instance count (peak)
1075
instance count (current) 1058

Related Topics
See the classinfo stats command.

Reporting Active References to a Class Instance

The classinfo trace command displays the active references to the specified class instance. This
is very useful in debugging situations where class instances are not being destroyed as expected
because something in the design is still referencing the class instance. Finding those references
may lead to uncovering bugs in managing these class references which often lead to large
memory savings.

Procedure
1. Enter the classinfo trace command with the desired class instance.
classinfo trace <class_instance>

Examples

Return the first active reference to @my_report_server@1

classinfo trace @my_report_server@1

Returns:
# top.test.t_env.m_rh.m_srvr

Related Topics
See the classinfo trace command.

Finding Class Type Inheritance

The classinfo ancestry command shows the inheritance of a specific class type. With some
designs and methodologies class hierarchy can become quite deep. This command will show all
of the super classes of a class type back to it's base class.

Procedure
1. Enter the classinfo ancestry command with the desired class type.

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Examples

Return the inheritance for mem_item.

classinfo ancestry mem_item

Returns:
# class /mem_agent_pkg::mem_item extends /uvm_pkg::uvm_sequence_item
#
class /uvm_pkg::uvm_sequence_item extends /uvm_pkg::uvm_transaction
#
class /uvm_pkg::uvm_transaction extends /uvm_pkg::uvm_object
#
class /uvm_pkg::uvm_object extends /uvm_pkg::uvm_void
#
class /uvm_pkg::uvm_void

Related Topics
See the classinfo ancestry command.

Listing Classes Derived or Extended From a Class Type

The classinfo command lists the classes derived from the specified class type. When one class
(X) extends another class (Y), class X inherits the characteristics of class Y. Class X, therefore,
'isa' class Y. Class X is also a class X, of course. Class Y, however, is not a class X.
Consider a simple example of a class called Fruit (Figure 6-15Extensions for a Class Type).
Class Apple extends Fruit, and class Pear extends Fruit. Further, classes HoneyCrisp,
GoldenDelicious, and Gravenstein extend Apple. The classes Bosc and and Bartlett extend
Pear.
Figure 6-15. Extensions for a Class Type
class fruit

extends fruit

extends apple
HoneyCrisp

class apple

GoldenDelicious

Gravenstein
class fruit

extends pear
Bosc
class pear
Bartlett

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Asking the question [classinfo isa Apple] would return Apple, HoneyCrisp, GoldenDelicious,
and Gravenstein. Asking [classinfo isa Pear] would return Pear, Bosc, and Bartlett. And finally,
[classinfo isa Fruit] would return Fruit, Apple, Pear, HoneyCrisp, GoldenDelicious,
Gravenstein, Bosc, and Bartlett.This command could be useful for determining all the types
extended from a particular methodology sequencer, for example.

Examples

Find all extensions for the class type mem_item.

classinfo isa mem_item

Returns:
#
#
#
#
#

/mem_agent_pkg::mem_item
/mem_agent_pkg::mem_item_latency4_change_c
/mem_agent_pkg::mem_item_latency2_change_c
/mem_agent_pkg::mem_item_latency6_change_c
/mem_agent_pkg::mem_item_latency_random_c

Analyzing Class Types

The classinfo types command searches for and analyses class types by matching a regular
expression. Returns the inheritance hierarchy for classes, class extensions, and determines the
full path of class types.

Procedure
1. Enter the classinfo types command with the desired class type.
classinfo types <class_type>

Examples

List the full path of the class types that do not match the pattern *uvm*. The scope and
instance name returned are in the format required for logging classes and when setting
some types of breakpoints,
classinfo types -x *uvm*

Returns:
#
#
#
#
#

/environment_pkg::test_predictor
/environment_pkg::threaded_scoreboard
/mem_agent_pkg::mem_agent
/mem_agent_pkg::mem_config
/mem_agent_pkg::mem_driver

Related Topics
See the classinfo types command.

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SystemVerilog Class Debugging

Class Instance Garbage Collection

As your simulation run progresses, class instances are created and destroyed and the data stored
in memory. Though a class instance ceases to be referenced, the data for that instance is retained
in memory. The garbage collector (GC) deletes all un-referenced class objects from memory.

Default Garbage Collector Settings

Automatic execution of the garbage collector is dependent upon how your design is simulated.
Table 6-13. Garbage Collector Modes
Mode

Modelsim.ini Variable

vsim argument

Class debug disabled

ClassDebug = 0

vsim -noclassdebug
(default)

Class debug enabled

ClassDebug = 1

vsim -classdebug

The default settings for execution of the garbage collector are optimized to balance performance
and memory usage for either mode. The garbage collector executes when one of the following
events occurs depending on the mode:

After the total of all class objects in memory reaches a specified size in Megabytes.
At the end of each run command.
After each step operation.

GC Settings in Class Debug Disbled Mode

Memory threshold = 100 megabytes

At the end of each run command: Off
At the end of each step command: Off

GC Settings in Class Debug Enabled Mode

Memory threshold = 5 megabytes

At the end of each run command: On
At the end of each step command: Off

Changing the Garbage Collector Configuration

You can change the default garbage collector settings for the current simulation in the Garbage
Collector Configuration dialog box, on the command line, via modelsim.ini variables, or with
vsim command arguments.

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Procedure
1. To open the Garbage Collector Configuration dialog, select Tools > Garbage Collector
> Configure to open the dialog box.
Figure 6-16. Garbage Collector Configuration

The default settings are loaded automatically and set based on whether you have
specified the -classdebug or the -noclassdebug argument with the vsim command.

Related Topics
Refer to CLI Garbage Collector Commands and INI Variables for garbage collector commands,
modelsim.ini variables and vsim command arguments.
Table 6-14. CLI Garbage Collector Commands and INI Variables
Action

Commands

INI Variable

vsim Arguments

Set memory
threshold

gc configure
-threshold <value>

GCThreshold or
GCThresholdClassDebug

vsim
-gcthreshold <value>

Execute after gc configure

-onrun 0 |1
each run
command

vsim -gconrun/
-nogconrun

Execute after gc configure

-onstep 0 | 1
each step
command

vsim -gconstep/
-nogconstep

To view the current garbage collector settings, enter gc configure without arguments.

Running the Garbage Collector

You can run the garbage collector at any time.
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Saving a Simulation to a WLF File

Note
If you do not use either the dataset save or dataset snapshot command, you must end a
simulation session with a quit or quit -sim command in order to produce a valid WLF
file. If you do not end the simulation in this manner, the WLF file will not close properly,
and ModelSim may issue the error message "bad magic number" when you try to open an
incomplete dataset in subsequent sessions. If you end up with a damaged WLF file, you
can try to repair it using the wlfrecover command.

Saving at Intervals with Dataset Snapshot

Dataset Snapshot lets you periodically copy data from the current simulation WLF file to
another file. This is useful for taking periodic "snapshots" of your simulation or for clearing the
current simulation WLF file based on size or elapsed time.

Procedure
1. Log objects of interest with the log command.
2. Select the Wave window to make it active.
3. Select Tools > Dataset Snapshot to open the Dataset Snapshot dialog box (Figure 7-2).
4. Select Enabled for the Dataset Snapshot State.
5. Set the simulation time or the wlf file size.
6. Choose whether the snapshot will contain only data since previous snapshot or all
previous data.
7. Designate the snapshot directory and file.
8. Choose whether to replace the existing snapshot file or use an incrementing suffix if a
file by the same name exists.
9. Click the OK button to create the dataset snapshot.

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Figure 7-2. Dataset Snapshot Dialog Box

You can customize the datasets either to contain all previous data, or only the data since
the previous snapshot. You can also set the dataset to overwrite previous snapshot files,
or increment the names of the files with a suffix.

Saving Memories to the WLF

By default, memories are not saved in the WLF file when you issue a "log -r /*" command.

Procedure
1. To get memories into the WLF file you will need to explicitly log them. For example:
log /top/dut/i0/mem

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2. It you want to use wildcards, then you will need to remove memories from the
WildcardFilter list. To see what is currently in the WildcardFilter list, use the following
command:
set WildcardFilter

If "Memories" is in the list, reissue the set WildcardFilter command with all items in the
list except "Memories." For details, see Using the WildcardFilter Preference Variable.
Note
For post-process debug, you can add the memories into the Wave or List windows but the
Memory List window is not available.

WLF File Parameter Overview

There are a number of WLF file parameters that you can control via the modelsim.ini file or a
simulator argument.
This section summarizes the various parameters.
Table 7-1. WLF File Parameters
Feature

modelsim.ini

modelsim.ini
Default

WLF Cache Sizea

WLFCacheSize = <n>

0 (no reader cache)

WLF Collapse
Mode

WLFCollapseModel = 0|1|2 1 (-wlfcollapsedelta) -nowlfcollapse

-wlfcollapsedelta
-wlfcollapsetime

WLF Compression

WLFCompress = 0|1

1 (-wlfcompress)

WLF Delete on
Quita

WLFDeleteOnQuit = 0|1

0 (-wlfdeleteonquit) -wlfdeleteonquit
-nowlfdeleteonquit

WLF File Lock

WLFFileLock = 0|1

0 (-nowlflock)

WLF File Name

WLFFilename=<filename> vsim.wlf

WLF Index

vsim argument

-wlfcompress
-nowlfcompress

-wlflock
-nowlflock
-wlf <filename>

WLFIndex 0|1

1 (-wlfindex)

WLF Optimization

WLFOptimize = 0|1

1 (-wlfopt)

WLF Sim Cache

Size

WLFSimCacheSize = <n>

0 (no reader cache)

WLF Size Limit

WLFSizeLimit = <n>

no limit

-wlfslim <n>

WLF Time Limit

WLFTimeLimit = <t>

no limit

-wlftlim <t>

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-nowlfopt

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1. These parameters can also be set using the dataset config command.

254

WLF Cache Size Specify the size in megabytes of the WLF reader cache. WLF
reader cache size is zero by default. This feature caches blocks of the WLF file to reduce
redundant file I/O. If the cache is made smaller or disabled, least recently used data will
be freed to reduce the cache to the specified size.

WLF Collapse Mode WLF event collapsing has three settings: disabled, delta, time:
o

When disabled, all events and event order are preserved.

Delta mode records an object's value at the end of a simulation delta (iteration) only.
Default.

Time mode records an object's value at the end of a simulation time step only.

WLF Compression Compress the data in the WLF file.

WLF File Lock Control overwrite permission for the WLF file.

WLF Optimization Write additional data to the WLF file to improve draw
performance at large zoom ranges. Optimization results in approximately 15% larger
WLF files.

WLFSimCacheSize Specify the size in megabytes of the WLF reader cache for the
current simulation dataset only. This makes it easier to set different sizes for the WLF
reader cache used during simulation and those used during post-simulation debug. If
WLFSimCacheSize is not specified, the WLFCacheSize settings will be used.

WLF Size Limit Limit the size of a WLF file to <n> megabytes by truncating from
the front of the file as necessary.

WLF Time Limit Limit the size of a WLF file to <t> time by truncating from the
front of the file as necessary.

WLF Delete on Quit Delete the WLF file automatically when the simulation exits.
Valid for current simulation dataset (vsim.wlf) only.

WLF Filename Specify the name of the WLF file.

WLF Indexing Write additional data to the WLF file to enable fast seeking to specific
times. Indexing makes viewing wave data faster, however performance during
optimization will be slower because indexing and optimization require significant
memory and CPU resources. Disabling indexing makes viewing wave data slow unless
the display is near the start of the WLF file. Disabling indexing also disables
optimization of the WLF file but may provide a significant performance boost when
archiving WLF files. Indexing and optimization information can be added back to the
file using wlfman optimize. Defaults to on.

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Saving a Simulation to a WLF File

Limiting the WLF File Size

You can easily limit the WLF file size by setting a simulation control variable or with a vsim
command switch.
Limit the WLF file size with the WLFSizeLimit simulation control variable in the modelsim.ini
file or with the -wlfslim switch for the vsim command. Either method specifies the number of
megabytes for WLF file recording.
A WLF file contains event, header, and symbol portions. The size restriction is placed on the
event portion only. When ModelSim exits, the entire header and symbol portion of the WLF file
is written. Consequently, the resulting file will be larger than the size specified with -wlfslim. If
used in conjunction with -wlftlim, the more restrictive of the limits takes precedence.
The WLF file can be limited by time with the WLFTimeLimit simulation control variable in the
modelsim.ini file or with the -wlftlim switch for the vsim command. Either method specifies the
duration of simulation time for WLF file recording. The duration specified should be an integer
of simulation time at the current resolution; however, you can specify a different resolution if
you place curly braces around the specification. For example,
vsim -wlftlim {5000 ns}

sets the duration at 5000 nanoseconds regardless of the current simulator resolution.
The time range begins at the current simulation time and moves back in simulation time for the
specified duration. In the example above, the last 5000ns of the current simulation is written to
the WLF file.
If used in conjunction with -wlfslim, the more restrictive of the limits will take effect.
The -wlfslim and -wlftlim switches were designed to help users limit WLF file sizes for long or
heavily logged simulations. When small values are used for these switches, the values may be
overridden by the internal granularity limits of the WLF file format. The WLF file saves data in
a record-like format. The start of the record (checkpoint) contains the values and is followed by
transition data. This continues until the next checkpoint is written. When the WLF file is limited
with the -wlfslim and -wlftlim switches, only whole records are truncated. So if, for example,
you are were logging only a couple of signals and the amount of data is so small there is only
one record in the WLF file, the record cannot be truncated; and the data for the entire run is
saved in the WLF file.

Multithreading on Linux Platforms

Multithreading enables the logging of information on a secondary processor while the
simulation and other tasks are performed on the primary processor. Multithreading is on by
default on multi-core or multi-processor Linux platforms.

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If you are running a simulation on a Windows system or a single-core or -processor Linux

system this functionality, of course, is not enabled.
You can disable this functionality with the vsim -nowlfopt switch, which you may want to do if
you are performing several simulations with logging at the same time.You can also control this
behavior with the WLFUseThreads variable in the modelsim.ini file.

Opening Datasets
ModelSim allows you to open existing datasets.

Procedure
1. To open a dataset, do one of the following:

Select File > Open to open the Open File dialog box and set the Files of type field
to Log Files (*.wlf). Then select the .wlf file you want and click the Open button.

Select File > Datasets to open the Dataset Browser; then click the Open button to
open the Open Dataset dialog box (Figure 7-3).
Figure 7-3. Open Dataset Dialog Box

Use the dataset open command to open either a saved dataset or to view a running
simulation dataset: vsim.wlf. Running simulation datasets are automatically updated.
The Open Dataset dialog box includes the following options:

256

Dataset Pathname Identifies the path and filename of the WLF file you want
to open.

Logical Name for Dataset This is the name by which the dataset will be
referred. By default this is the name of the WLF file.

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Dataset Structure

Dataset Structure
Each dataset you open creates a structure tab in the Main window. The tab is labeled with the
name of the dataset and displays a hierarchy of the design units in that dataset.
The graphic below shows three structure tabs: one for the active simulation (sim) and one each
for two datasets (test and gold).
Figure 7-4. Structure Tabs

If you have too many tabs to display in the available space, you can scroll the tabs left or right
by clicking the arrow icons at the bottom right-hand corner of the window.

Structure Window Columns

Structural information about datasets is presented in the Structure window.
Table 7-2 lists the columns displayed in each Structure window, by default.
Table 7-2. Structure Tab Columns
Column name

Description

Instance

the name of the instance

Design unit

the name of the design unit

Design unit type

the type (for example, Module, Entity, and so

forth) of the design unit

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Managing Multiple Datasets

You can hide or show columns by right-clicking a column name and selecting the name on the
list.

Managing Multiple Datasets

ModelSim allows you to manage multiple datasets using menu selections from the graphic
interface or from the command line.

Managing Multiple Datasets in the GUI

When you have one or more datasets open, you can manage them using the Dataset Browser.

Procedure
1. Open the Dataset Browser by selecting File > Datasets.
Figure 7-5. The Dataset Browser

From the Dataset Browser you can open a selected dataset, save it, reload it, close it,
make it the active dataset, or rename it.

Managing Multiple Datasets from the Command

Line
You can open multiple datasets when the simulator is invoked by specifying more than one
vsim -view <filename> option. By default the dataset prefix will be the filename of the WLF
file.

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Procedure
1. You can specify a different dataset name as an optional qualifier to the vsim -view
switch on the command line using the following syntax:
-view <dataset>=<filename>

For example:
vsim -view foo=vsim.wlf

ModelSim designates one of the datasets to be the active dataset, and refers all names
without dataset prefixes to that dataset. The active dataset is displayed in the context
path at the bottom of the Main window. When you select a design unit in a datasets
Structure window, that dataset becomes active automatically. Alternatively, you can use
the Dataset Browser or the environment command to change the active dataset.
2. Design regions and signal names can be fully specified over multiple WLF files by
using the dataset name as a prefix in the path. For example:
sim:/top/alu/out
view:/top/alu/out
golden:.top.alu.out

Dataset prefixes are not required unless more than one dataset is open, and you want to
refer to something outside the active dataset. When more than one dataset is open,
ModelSim will automatically prefix names in the Wave and List windows with the
dataset name. You can change this default by selecting:

List Window active: List > List Preferences; Window Properties tab > Dataset Prefix
pane

Wave Window active: Wave > Wave Preferences; Display tab > Dataset Prefix
Display pane

3. ModelSim also remembers a "current context" within each open dataset. You can toggle
between the current context of each dataset using the environment command, specifying
the dataset without a path. For example:
env foo:

sets the active dataset to foo and the current context to the context last specified for foo.
The context is then applied to any unlocked windows.
The current context of the current dataset (usually referred to as just "current context") is
used for finding objects specified without a path.
4. You can lock the Objects window to a specific context of a dataset. Being locked to a
dataset means that the pane updates only when the content of that dataset changes. If
locked to both a dataset and a context (such as test: /top/foo), the pane will update only
when that specific context changes. You specify the dataset to which the pane is locked
by selecting File > Environment.
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Collapsing Time and Delta Steps

Restricting the Dataset Prefix Display

You can turn dataset prefix viewing on or off by setting the value of a preference variable called
DisplayDatasetPrefix. Setting the variable value to 1 displays the prefix, setting it to 0 does not.
It is set to 1 by default.

Procedure
To change the value of this variable, do the following:
1. Choose Tools > Edit Preferences... from the main menu.
2. In the Preferences dialog box, click the By Name tab.
3. Scroll to find the Preference Item labeled Main and click [+] to expand the listing of
preference variables.
4. Select the DisplayDatasetPrefix variable then click the Change Value... button.
5. In the Change Preference Value dialog box, type a value of 0 or 1, where
o

0 = turns off prefix display

1 = turns on prefix display (default)

6. Click OK; click OK.

Additionally, you can prevent display of the dataset prefix by using the environment -nodataset
command to view a dataset. To enable display of the prefix, use the environment -dataset
command (note that you do not need to specify this command argument if the
DisplayDatasetPrefix variable is set to 1). These arguments of the environment command
override the value of the DisplayDatasetPrefix variable.

Collapsing Time and Delta Steps

By default ModelSim collapses delta steps. This means each logged signal that has events
during a simulation delta has its final value recorded to the WLF file when the delta has expired.
The event order in the WLF file matches the order of the first events of each signal.
You can configure how ModelSim collapses time and delta steps using arguments to the vsim
command or by setting the WLFCollapseMode variable in the modelsim.ini file. The table
below summarizes the arguments and how they affect event recording.
Table 7-3. vsim Arguments for Collapsing Time and Delta Steps
vsim argument

effect

modelsim.ini setting

-nowlfcollapse

All events for each logged signal are

recorded to the WLF file in the exact order
they occur in the simulation.

WLFCollapseMode = 0

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Virtual Objects

Table 7-3. vsim Arguments for Collapsing Time and Delta Steps (cont.)
vsim argument

effect

modelsim.ini setting

-wlfcollapsedelta

Each logged signal which has events during a WLFCollapseMode = 1

simulation delta has its final value recorded
to the WLF file when the delta has expired.
Default.

-wlfcollapsetime

Same as delta collapsing but at the timestep

granularity.

WLFCollapseMode = 2

When a run completes that includes single stepping or hitting a breakpoint, all events are
flushed to the WLF file regardless of the time collapse mode. Its possible that single stepping
through part of a simulation may yield a slightly different WLF file than just running over that
piece of code. If particular detail is required in debugging, you should disable time collapsing.

Virtual Objects
Virtual objects are signal-like or region-like objects created in the GUI that do not exist in the
ModelSim simulation kernel.
ModelSim supports the following kinds of virtual objects:

Virtual Signals
Virtual Functions
Virtual Regions
Virtual Types

Virtual objects are indicated by an orange diamond as illustrated by Bus1 in Figure 7-6:

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Virtual Objects

Figure 7-6. Virtual Objects Indicated by Orange Diamond

Virtual Signals
Virtual signals are aliases for combinations or subelements of signals written to the WLF file by
the simulation kernel. They can be displayed in the Objects, List, Watch, and Wave windows,
accessed by the examine command, and set using the force command.
You can create virtual signals using the Wave or List > Combine Signals menu selections or
by using the virtual signal command. Once created, virtual signals can be dragged and dropped
from the Objects pane to the Wave, Watch, and List windows. In addition, you can create
virtual signals for the Wave window using the Virtual Signal Builder (refer to Using the Virtual
Signal Builder).
Virtual signals are automatically attached to the design region in the hierarchy that corresponds
to the nearest common ancestor of all the elements of the virtual signal. The virtual signal
command has an -install <region> option to specify where the virtual signal should be
installed. This can be used to install the virtual signal in a user-defined region in order to
reconstruct the original RTL hierarchy when simulating and driving a post-synthesis, gate-level
implementation.
A virtual signal can be used to reconstruct RTL-level design buses that were broken down
during synthesis. The virtual hide command can be used to hide the display of the broken-down
bits if you don't want them cluttering up the Objects window.
If the virtual signal has elements from more than one WLF file, it will be automatically installed
in the virtual region virtuals:/Signals.

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Virtual Objects

Virtual signals are not hierarchical if two virtual signals are concatenated to become a third
virtual signal, the resulting virtual signal will be a concatenation of all the scalar elements of the
first two virtual signals.
The definitions of virtuals can be saved to a DO file using the virtual save command. By
default, when quitting, ModelSim will append any newly-created virtuals (that have not been
saved) to the virtuals.do file in the local directory.
If you have virtual signals displayed in the Wave or List window when you save the Wave or
List format, you will need to execute the virtuals.do file (or some other equivalent) to restore
the virtual signal definitions before you re-load the Wave or List format during a later run.
There is one exception: "implicit virtuals" are automatically saved with the Wave or List
format.

Implicit and Explicit Virtuals

An implicit virtual is a virtual signal that was automatically created by ModelSim without your
knowledge and without you providing a name for it. An example would be if you expand a bus
in the Wave window, then drag one bit out of the bus to display it separately. That action creates
a one-bit virtual signal whose definition is stored in a special location, and is not visible in the
Objects pane or to the normal virtual commands.
All other virtual signals are considered "explicit virtuals".

Virtual Functions
Virtual functions behave in the GUI like signals but are not aliases of combinations or elements
of signals logged by the kernel. They consist of logical operations on logged signals and can be
dependent on simulation time.
Virtual functions can be displayed in the Objects, Wave, and List windows and accessed by the
examine command, but cannot be set by the force command.
Examples of virtual functions include the following:

a function defined as the inverse of a given signal

a function defined as the exclusive-OR of two signals
a function defined as a repetitive clock
a function defined as "the rising edge of CLK delayed by 1.34 ns"

You can also use virtual functions to convert signal types and map signal values.
The result type of a virtual function can be any of the types supported in the GUI expression
syntax: integer, real, boolean, std_logic, std_logic_vector, and arrays and records of these types.

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Virtual Objects

Verilog types are converted to VHDL 9-state std_logic equivalents and Verilog net strengths
are ignored.
To create a virtual function, use the virtual function command.
Virtual functions are also implicitly created by ModelSim when referencing bit-selects or partselects of Verilog registers in the GUI, or when expanding Verilog registers in the Objects,
Wave, or List window. This is necessary because referencing Verilog register elements requires
an intermediate step of shifting and masking of the Verilog "vreg" data structure.

Virtual Regions
User-defined design hierarchy regions can be defined and attached to any existing design region
or to the virtuals context tree. They can be used to reconstruct the RTL hierarchy in a gate-level
design and to locate virtual signals. Thus, virtual signals and virtual regions can be used in a
gate-level design to allow you to use the RTL test bench.
To create and attach a virtual region, use the virtual region command.

Virtual Types
User-defined enumerated types can be defined in order to display signal bit sequences as
meaningful alphanumeric names. The virtual type is then used in a type conversion expression
to convert a signal to values of the new type. When the converted signal is displayed in any of
the windows, the value will be displayed as the enumeration string corresponding to the value of
the original signal.
To create a virtual type, use the virtual type command.

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Chapter 8
Waveform Analysis
The Wave window is the most commonly used tool for analyzing and debugging your design
after simulation. It displays all signals in your design as waveforms and signal values and
provides a suite of graphical tools for debugging.
Wave Window Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Objects You Can View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adding Objects to the Wave Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inserting Signals in a Specific Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Working with Cursors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expanded Time in the Wave Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Zooming the Wave Window Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Searching in the Wave Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filtering the Wave Window Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filtering the Wave Window Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Formatting the Wave Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wave Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Composite Signals or Buses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Saving the Window Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exporting Waveforms from the Wave window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Viewing System Verilog Interfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Combining Objects into Buses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using the Virtual Signal Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Miscellaneous Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Creating and Managing Breakpoints. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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315
318
322
323

Wave Window Overview

The Wave window opens in the Main window. Like all other windows, it may be undocked
from the Main window by clicking the Undock button in the window header. When the Wave
window is docked in the Main window, all menus and icons that were in the undocked Wave
window move into the Main window menu bar and toolbar tabs.

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Objects You Can View

Figure 8-1. The Wave Window

For more information about the graphic features of the Wave window, see the Wave Window
section of the GUI Reference Manual.

Objects You Can View

The list below identifies the types of objects that you can view in the Wave window. Each
object type is indicated by its own color-coded shape (such as a diamond or a triangle).

VHDL objects (dark blue diamond)

signals, aliases, process variables, shared variables

Verilog and SystemVerilog objects (light blue diamond)

nets, registers, variables, named events, interfaces, classes

Virtual objects (orange diamond)

virtual signals, buses, functions
Refer to Virtual Objects for more information.

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Related Topics

Using the WildcardFilter Preference Variable how to control the information

that is added to the Wave window when using wild cards

Adding Objects to the Wave Window

You can add objects to the Wave window with mouse actions, menu selections, commands, and
with a window format file.
Table 8-1. Add Objects to the Wave Window
To Add Using ...

Do the Following:

Mouse Actions

Menu Selections

Drag and drop objects into the Wave window from the Structure,
Processes, Memory, List, Objects, Source, or Locals windows.
When objects are dragged into the Wave window, the add wave
command is echoed in the Transcript window. Depending on what
you select, all objects or any portion of the design can be added.
Place the cursor over an individual object or selected objects in
the Objects or Locals windows, then click the middle mouse
button to place the object(s) in the Wave window.

Add > window Add objects to the Wave window or Log file.
Add Selected to Window Button Add objects to the Wave,
Dataflow, List, or Watch windows.
You can also add objects using right-click popup menus. For
example, if you want to add all signals in a design to the Wave
window you can do one of the following:
Right-click a design unit in a Structure (sim) window and select
Add > To Wave > All Items in Design from the popup context
menu.
Right-click anywhere in the Objects window and select Add > To
Wave > Signals in Design from the popup context menu.
Right-click on a Verilog virtual interface waveform and select
Add Wave > <interface_name/*> from the popup menu.

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Table 8-1. Add Objects to the Wave Window

To Add Using ...

Do the Following:

Commands

Use the add wave command to add objects from the command line.
For example:
VSIM> add wave /proc/a

Adds signal /proc/a to the Wave window.

VSIM> add wave -r /*

Adds all objects in the design to the Wave window.

Refer to the section Using the WildcardFilter Preference Variable
for information on controlling the information that is added to the
Wave window when using wild cards.
A Window Format
File

Select File > Load and specify a previously saved format file. Refer
to Saving the Window Format for details on how to create a format
file.

Inserting Signals in a Specific Location

New signals are inserted above the Insertion Point Bar located at the bottom of the Pathname
Pane. You can change the location of the Insertion Point Bar by using the Insertion Point
Column of the Pathname Pane.

Restrictions and Limitations

By default, new signals are added above the Insertion Point Bar. You can change the default
location for insertion by setting the PrefWave(InsertMode) preference variable to one of the
following:

insert (default) Places new object(s) above the Insertion Pointer Bar.
append Places new object(s) below the Insertion Pointer Bar.
top Places new object(s) at the top of the Wave window.
end Places new object(s) at the bottom of the Wave window.

Prerequisites
There must be at least one signal in the Wave window.

Procedure
1. Click on the vertical white bar on the left-hand side of the active Wave window to select
where signals should be added. (Figure 8-2)

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2. Your cursor will change to a double-tail arrow and a green bar will appear. Clicking in
the vertical white bar next to a signal places the Insertion Point Bar below the indicated
signal. Alternatively, you can Ctrl+click in the white bar to place the Insertion Point Bar
below the indicated signal.
Figure 8-2. Insertion Point Bar

3. Select an instance in the Structure (sim) window or an object in the Objects window.
4. Use the hot key Ctrl+w to add all signals of the instance or the specific object to the
Wave window in the location of the Insertion Point Bar.

Related Topics

Insertion Point Bar

Pathname Pane

Working with Cursors

Cursors mark simulation time in the Wave window. When ModelSim first draws the Wave
window, it places one cursor at time zero. Clicking anywhere in the waveform display brings
the nearest cursor to the mouse location. You can use cursors to find transitions, a rising or
falling edge, and to measure time intervals.
The Cursor and Timeline Toolbox on the left side of the cursor pane gives you quick access to
cursor and timeline settings.

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Working with Cursors

Table 8-2 summarizes common cursor actions you can perform with the icons in the toolbox, or
with menu selections.
Table 8-2. Actions for Cursors
Icon

Action

Menu path or command

(Wave window docked)

Menu path or command

(Wave window undocked)

Toggle leaf names

<-> full names

Wave > Wave Preferences >

Display Tab

Tools > Wave Preferences >

Display Tab

Edit grid and

Wave > Wave Preferences >
timeline properties Grid and Timeline Tab

Tools > Wave Preferences >

Grid and Timeline Tab

Add cursor

Add > To Wave > Cursor

Add > Cursor

Edit cursor

Wave > Edit Cursor

Edit > Edit Cursor

Delete cursor

Wave > Delete Cursor

Edit > Delete Cursor

Lock cursor

Wave > Edit Cursor

Edit > Edit Cursor

Select a cursor

Wave > Cursors

View > Cursors

Zoom In on Active Wave > Zoom > Zoom

Cursor
Cursor

View > Zoom > Zoom Cursor

Zoom between
Cursors

Debug Toolbar Tab only

Debug Toolbar Tab only.

Two Cursor Mode

Wave > Mouse Mode > Two

Cursor Mode

Wave > Mouse Mode > Two

Cursor Mode

The Toggle leaf names <-> full names icon allows you to switch from displaying full
pathnames (the default) to displaying leaf or short names in the Pathnames Pane. You can also
control the number of path elements in the Wave Window Preferences dialog. Refer to
Hiding/Showing Path Hierarchy.
The Edit grid and timeline properties icon opens the Wave Window Properties dialog box to
the Grid & Timeline tab (Figure 8-3).

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Figure 8-3. Grid and Timeline Properties

The Grid Configuration selections allow you to set grid offset, minimum grid spacing,
and grid period. You can also reset these grid configuration settings to their default
values.

The Timeline Configuration selections give you change the time scale. You can display
simulation time on a timeline or a clock cycle count. If you select Display simulation
time in timeline area, use the Time Units dropdown list to select one of the following as
the timeline unit:
fs, ps, ns, us, ms, sec, min, hr
Note
The time unit displayed in the Wave window (default: ns) does not reflect the simulation
time that is currently defined.
The current configuration is saved with the wave format file so you can restore it later.

The Show frequency in cursor delta box causes the timeline to display the difference
(delta) between adjacent cursors as frequency. By default, the timeline displays the delta
between adjacent cursors as time.

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Adding Cursors
To add cursors when the Wave window is active you can do one of the following.

Procedure

click the Insert Cursor icon

choose Add > To Wave > Cursor from the menu bar
press the A key while the mouse pointer is located in the cursor pane
right click in the cursor pane and select New Cursor @ <time> ns to place a new cursor
at a specific time.

Editing Cursor Properties

After adding a cursor, you can alter its properties by using the Cursor Properties dialog box.

Procedure
1. Right-click the cursor you want to edit and select Cursor Properties. (You can also use
the Edit this cursor icon in the cursor toolbox)
2. From the Cursor Properties dialog box, alter any of the following properties:
o

Cursor Name the name that appears in the Wave window.

Cursor Time the time location of the cursor.

Cursor Color the color of the cursor.

Locked Cursor Color the color of the cursor when it is locked to a specific time
location.

Lock cursor to specified time disables relocation of the cursor.

Jump to a Signal Transition

You can move the active (selected) cursor to the next or previous transition on the selected
signal using these two toolbar icons located in the Debug Toolbar Tab. Refer to the following
table.
Figure 8-4. Find Previous and Next Transition Icons
Find Previous Transition
locate the previous signal value
change for the selected signal

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Find Next Transition

locate the next signal value
change for the selected signal
These actions will not work on locked cursors.

Related Topics

Debug Toolbar Tab

Measuring Time with Cursors in the Wave Window

ModelSim uses cursors to measure time in the Wave window. Cursors extend a vertical line
over the waveform display and identify a specific simulation time.
When the Wave window is first drawn it contains two cursors the Now cursor, and Cursor 1
(Figure 8-5).
Figure 8-5. Original Names of Wave Window Cursors

The Now cursor is always locked to the current simulation time and it is not manifested as a
graphical object (vertical cursor bar) in the Wave window.
Cursor 1 is located at time zero. Clicking anywhere in the waveform display moves the Cursor
1 vertical cursor bar to the mouse location and makes this cursor the selected cursor. The
selected cursor is drawn as a bold solid line; all other cursors are drawn with thin lines.

Syncing All Active Cursors

You can synchronize the active cursors within all open Wave windows and the Wave viewers in
the Dataflow and Schematic windows.

Procedure
Right-click the time value of the active cursor in any window and select Sync All Active
Cursors from the popup menu (Figure 8-6).

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Figure 8-6. Sync All Active Cursors

When all active cursors are synced, moving a cursor in one window will automatically move the
active cursors in all opened Wave windows to the same time location. This option is also
available by selecting Wave > Cursors > Sync All Active Cursors in the menu bar when a
Wave window is active.

Linking Cursors
Cursors within the Wave window can be linked together, allowing you to move two or more
cursors together across the simulation timeline. You simply click one of the linked cursors and
drag it left or right on the timeline. The other linked cursors will move by the same amount of
time.

Procedure
You can link all displayed cursors by right-clicking the time value of any cursor in the timeline,
as shown in Figure 8-7, and selecting Cursor Linking > Link All.
Figure 8-7. Cursor Linking Menu

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You can link and unlink selected cursors by selecting the time value of any cursor and selecting
Cursor Linking > Configure to open the Configure Cursor Links dialog (Figure 8-8).
Figure 8-8. Configure Cursor Links Dialog

Understanding Cursor Behavior

The following list describes how cursors behave when you click in various panes of the Wave
window unless you are in Two Cursor Mode:

If you click in the waveform pane, the closest unlocked cursor to the mouse position is
selected and then moved to the mouse position.

Clicking in a horizontal track in the cursor pane selects that cursor and moves it to the
mouse position.

Cursors snap to the nearest waveform edge to the left if you click or drag a cursor along
the selected waveform to within ten pixels of a waveform edge. You can set the snap
distance in the Display tab of the Window Preferences dialog. Select Tools > Options >
Wave Preferences when the Wave window is docked in the Main window MDI frame.
Select Tools > Window Preferences when the Wave window is a stand-alone,
undocked window.

You can position a cursor without snapping by dragging a cursor in the cursor pane
below the waveforms.

Shortcuts for Working with Cursors

There are a number of useful keyboard and mouse shortcuts related to the actions listed above:

Select a cursor by clicking the cursor name.

Jump to a hidden cursor (one that is out of view) by double-clicking the cursor name.
Name a cursor by right-clicking the cursor name and entering a new value. Press
<Enter> on your keyboard after you have typed the new name.

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Move a locked cursor by holding down the <shift> key and then clicking-and-dragging
the cursor.

Move a cursor to a particular time by right-clicking the cursor value and typing the value
to which you want to scroll. Press <Enter> on your keyboard after you have typed the
new value.

Two Cursor Mode

Two Cursor Mode places two active cursors in the Wave window. Where default Wave window
cursor behavior is for the closest cursor to snap to the location of the mouse when the left mouse
button is pressed, in Two Cursor Mode the left mouse button controls movement of the first
cursor and the middle mouse button controls the second cursor regardless of the proximity of
the pointer to the closest cursor. Additional cursors may be added but are locked upon insertion.

Enable Two Cursor Mode

You can enable Two Cursor Mode by selecting Wave > Mouse Mode > Two Cursor
Mode, or by selecting the Two Cursor Mode button in the Debug Toolbar Tab.
You can return to standard Wave Window behavior by selecting Wave > Mouse Mode > and
choosing one of the other menu picks or by selecting a different button in the Debug Toolbar
Tab.

Related Topics

Debug Toolbar Tab

Additional Mouse Actions

Both cursors snap to the position of the mouse pointer when the mouse button controling the
cursor is released. Holding down a button and dragging changes the action from cursor
placement to zooming in or out in the waveform pane:
Table 8-3. Two Cursor Zoom
Mouse Action
Down-Right or Down-Left

Zoom Area (In)

Up- Right

Zoom Out

Up-Left

Zoom to Fit

The zoom amount is displayed at the mouse cursor. A zoom operation must be more than 10
pixels to activate.
To zoom with the scroll-wheel of your mouse, hold down the Ctrl key at the same time to scroll
in and out. The waveform pane will zoom in and out, centering on your mouse cursor.
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Expanded Time in the Wave Window

Expanded Time in the Wave Window

When analyzing a design using ModelSim, you can see a value for each object at any time step
in the simulation. If logged in the .wlf file, the values at any time step prior to and including the
current simulation time are displayed in the Wave window or by using the examine command.
Some objects can change values more than once in a given time step. These intermediate values
are of interest when debugging glitches on clocked objects or race conditions. With a few
exceptions (viewing delta time steps with the examine command), the values prior to the final
value in a given time step cannot be observed.
The expanded time function makes these intermediate values visible in the Wave window.
Expanded time shows the actual order in which objects change values and shows all transitions
of each object within a given time step.

Expanded Time Terminology

The following list provides definitions of the basic terms used when discussing expanded time
in the Wave window.

Simulation Time the basic time step of the simulation. The final value of each object
at each simulation time is what is displayed by default in the Wave window.

Delta Time the time intervals or steps taken to evaluate the design without advancing
simulation time. Object values at each delta time step are viewed by using the -delta
argument of the examine command. Refer to Delta Delays for more information.

Event Time the time intervals that show each object value change as a separate event
and that shows the relative order in which these changes occur
During a simulation, events on different objects in a design occur in a particular order or
sequence. Typically, this order is not important and only the final value of each object
for each simulation time step is important. However, in situations like debugging
glitches on clocked objects or race conditions, the order of events is important. Unlike
simulation time steps and delta time steps, only one object can have a single value
change at any one event time. Object values and the exact order which they change can
be saved in the .wlf file.

Expanded Time the Wave window feature that expands single simulation time steps
to make them wider, allowing you to see object values at the end of each delta cycle or at
each event time within the simulation time.

Expand causes the normal simulation time view in the Wave window to show
additional detailed information about when events occurred during a simulation.

Collapse hides the additional detailed information in the Wave window about when
events occurred during a simulation.

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Recording Expanded Time Information

You can use the vsim command, or the WLFCollpseMode variable in the modelsim.ini file, to
control recording of expanded time information in the .wlf file.
Unlike delta times (which are explicitly saved in the .wlf file), event time information exists
implicitly in the .wlf file. That is, the order in which events occur in the simulation is the same
order in which they are logged to the .wlf file, but explicit event time values are not logged.
Table 8-4. Recording Delta and Event Time Information
vsim command argument

modelsim.ini setting

effect

-nowlfcollapse

WLFCollapseMode = 0

Saves multiple value changes of an

object during a single time step or
single delta cycle, All events for each
logged signal are recorded to the .wlf
file in the exact order they occur in
the simulation.

-wlfcollapsedelta

WLFCollapseMode = 1
(Default)

Each logged signal that has events

during a simulation delta has its final
value recorded in the .wlf file when
the delta has expired.

-wlfcollapsetime

WLFCollapseMode = 2

Similar to delta collapsing but at the

simulation time step granularity.

You can choose not to record event time or delta time information to the .wlf file by using the
-wlfcollapsetime argument with vsim, or by setting WLFCollapseMode to 2. This will prevent
detailed debugging but may reduce the size of the .wlf file and speed up the simulation.

Waveform Analysis
Expanded Time in the Wave Window

Figure 8-12. Waveform Pane with Expanded Time Over a Time Range

When scrolling horizontally, expanded sections remain expanded until you collapse them, even
when scrolled out of the visible area. The left or right edges of the Waveform pane are viewed
in either expanded or collapsed sections.
Expanded event order or delta time sections appear in all panes when multiple Waveform panes
exist for a Wave window. When multiple Wave windows are used, sections of expanded event
or delta time are specific to the Wave window where they were created.
For expanded event order time sections when multiple datasets are loaded, the event order time
of an event will indicate the order of that event relative to all other events for objects added to
that Wave window for that objects dataset only. That means, for example, that signal sim:s1
and gold:s2 could both have events at time 1ns+3.
Note
The order of events for a given design will differ for optimized versus unoptimized
simulations, and between different versions of ModelSim. The order of events will be
consistent between the Wave window and the List window for a given simulation of a
particular design, but the event numbering may differ. See Expanded Time Viewing in
the List Window.
You may display any number of disjoint expanded times or expanded ranges of times.

Related Topics

Debug Toolbar Tab

Customizing the Expanded Time Wave Window

Display
As noted above, the Wave window background color is blue instead of black for expanded
sections in Delta Time mode and green for expanded sections in Event Time mode.
The background colors for sections of expanded event time are changed as follows:
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Procedure
1. Select Tools > Edit Preferences from the menus. This opens the Preferences dialog.
2. Select the By Name tab.
3. Scroll down to the Wave selection and click the plus sign (+) for Wave.
4. Change the values of the Wave Window variables waveDeltaBackground and
waveEventBackground.

Expanded Time Display Modes

There are three Wave window expanded time display modes: Event Time mode, Delta Time
mode, and Expanded Time off. These display modes are initiated by menu selections, toolbar
selections, or via the command line.

Menu Selections for Expanded Time Display Modes

The following table shows the menu selections for initiating expanded time display modes.
Table 8-5. Menu Selections for Expanded Time Display Modes
action

menu selection with Wave window docked or undocked

select Delta Time mode

docked: Wave > Expanded Time > Delta Time Mode

undocked: View > Expanded Time > Delta Time Mode

select Event Time mode

docked: Wave > Expanded Time > Event Time Mode

undocked: View > Expanded Time > Event Time Mode

disable Expanded Time

docked: Wave > Expanded Time > Expanded Time Off

undocked: View > Expanded Time > Expanded Time Off

Select Delta Time Mode or Event Time Mode from the appropriate menu according to Table 85 to have expanded simulation time in the Wave window show delta time steps or event time
steps respectively. Select Expanded Time Off for standard behavior (which is the default).

Toolbar Selections for Expanded Time Modes

There are three exclusive toggle buttons in the Debug Toolbar Tab for selecting the time mode
used to display expanded simulation time in the Wave window.

282

The "Expanded Time Deltas Mode" button displays delta time steps.
The "Expanded Time Events Mode" button displays event time steps.
The "Expanded Time Off" button turns off the expanded time display in the Wave
window.

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Expanded Time in the Wave Window

Clicking any one of these buttons on toggles the other buttons off. This serves as an immediate
visual indication about which of the three modes is currently being used. Choosing one of these
modes from the menu bar or command line also results in the appropriate resetting of these
three buttons. The "Expanded Time Off" button is selected by default.
In addition, there are four buttons in the Debug Toolbar Tab for expanding and collapsing
simulation time.

The Expand All Time button expands simulation time over the entire simulation time
range, from time 0 to the current simulation time.

The Expand Time At Active Cursor button expands simulation time at the simulation
time of the active cursor.

The Collapse All Time button collapses simulation time over entire simulation time
range.

The Collapse Time At Active Cursor button collapses simulation time at the
simulation time of the active cursor.

Related Topics

Debug Toolbar Tab

Command Selection of Expanded Time Mode

The command syntax for selecting the time mode used to display objects in the Wave window
is:
wave expand mode [-window <win>] none | deltas | events

Use the wave expand mode command to select which mode is used to display expanded time in
the wave window. This command also results in the appropriate resetting of the three toolbar
buttons.

Switching Between Time Modes

If one or more simulation time steps have already been expanded to view event time or delta
time, then toggling the Time mode by any means will cause all of those time steps to be
redisplayed in the newly selected mode.

Expanding and Collapsing Simulation Time

Simulation time may be expanded to view delta time steps or event time steps at a single
simulation time or over a range of simulation times. Simulation time may be collapsed to hide
delta time steps or event time steps at a single simulation time or over a range of simulation
times. You can expand or collapse the simulation time with menu selections, toolbar selections,
via commands, or with the mouse cursor.
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Expanded Time in the Wave Window

Procedure
To expand or collapse
simulation time with

Do the following:

Menu Selections

Select Wave > Expanded Time when the Wave window is

docked, and View > Expanded Time when the Wave
window is undocked. You can expand/collapse over the full
simulation time range, over a specified time range, or at the
time of the active cursor,.

Toolbar Selections

There are four buttons in the Debug Toolbar Tab for

expanding and collapsing simulation time in the Wave
window: Expand Full, Expand Cursor, Collapse Full, and
Collapse Cursor.

Commands

There are six commands for expanding and collapsing

simulation time in the Wave window.
wave expand all
wave expand range
wave expand cursor
wave collapse all
wave collapse range
wave collapse cursor
These commands have the same behavior as the
corresponding menu and toolbar selections. If valid times are
not specified, for wave expand range or wave collapse range,
no action is taken. These commands affect all Waveform
panes in the Wave window to which the command applies.

Expanded Time with examine and Other

Commands
The Wave window can expand time to show delta delays. You can use the examine, searchlog,
and seetime commands to manipulate expanded time data.

284

examine The -event <event> option to the examine command behaves in the same
manner as the -delta <delta> option. When the -event option is used, the event time
given will refer to the event time relative to events for all signals in the objects dataset at
the specified time. This may be misleading as it may not correspond to event times
displayed in the List or Wave windows.

searchlog The -event <event> option to the searchlog command behaves in the same
manner as the -delta <delta> option.

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Waveform Analysis
Zooming the Wave Window Display

Zooming the Wave Window Display

Zooming lets you change the simulation range in the waveform pane. You can zoom using the
context menu, toolbar buttons, mouse, keyboard, or commands. You can also save a specific
zoom range and scroll position with Wave window bookmarks.

Zooming with the Menu, Toolbar and Mouse

You can access Zoom commands in any of the following ways:

From the Wave > Zoom menu selections in the Main window when the Wave window
is docked

From the View menu in the Wave window when the Wave window is undocked
Right-clicking in the waveform pane of the Wave window

These zoom buttons are available on the Debug Toolbar Tab:

Zoom In 2x
zoom in by a factor of two from the current view

Zoom In on Active Cursor

centers the active cursor in the waveform display and
zooms in
Zoom between Cursors
zoom window in or out to show the range between the last
two active cursors
Zoom Mode
change mouse pointer to zoom mode; see below

Zoom Out 2x
zoom out by a factor of two from current view

Zoom Full
zoom out to view the full range of the simulation from
time 0 to the current time
To zoom with the mouse, first enter zoom mode by selecting View > Zoom > Mouse Mode >
Zoom Mode. The left mouse button then offers 3 zoom options by clicking and dragging in
different directions:

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Down-Right or Down-Left: Zoom Area (In)

Up-Right: Zoom Out
Up-Left: Zoom Fit

Also note the following about zooming with the mouse:

The zoom amount is displayed at the mouse cursor. A zoom operation must be more
than 10 pixels to activate.

You can enter zoom mode temporarily by holding the <Ctrl> key down while in select
mode.

With the mouse in the Select Mode, the middle mouse button will perform the above
zoom operations.

To zoom with the scroll-wheel of your mouse, hold down the Ctrl key at the same time to scroll
in and out. The waveform pane will zoom in and out, centering on your mouse cursor.

Saving Zoom Range and Scroll Position with

Bookmarks
Bookmarks save a particular zoom range and scroll position. This lets you return easily to a
specific view later. You save the bookmark with a name and then access the named bookmark
from the Bookmark menu. Bookmarks are saved in the Wave format file and are restored when
the format file is read.
To add a bookmark, follow these steps:

Procedure
1. Zoom the Wave window as you see fit using one of the techniques discussed in
Zooming the Wave Window Display.
2. If the Wave window is docked, select Add > Wave > Bookmark. If the Wave window
is undocked, select Add > Bookmark.

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Figure 8-13. Bookmark Properties Dialog

3. Give the bookmark a name and click OK.

The table below summarizes actions you can take with bookmarks.
Table 8-6. Actions for Bookmarks
Action

Menu commands
(Wave window
docked)

Menu commands
(Wave window
undocked)

Command

Add bookmark

Add > To Wave >

Bookmark

Add > Bookmark

bookmark add wave

View bookmark

Wave > Bookmarks >

<bookmark_name>

View > Bookmarks >

<bookmark_name>

bookmark goto wave

Delete bookmark Wave > Bookmarks > View > Bookmarks >
Bookmarks > <select
Bookmarks > <select
bookmark then Delete> bookmark then Delete>

bookmark delete wave

Editing Bookmarks
Once a bookmark exists, you can change its properties by selecting Wave > Bookmarks >
Bookmarks if the Wave window is docked; or by selecting Tools > Bookmarks if the Wave
window is undocked.

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Searching in the Wave Window

Searching in the Wave Window

The Wave window provides two methods for locating objects:
1. Finding signal names:
o

Select Edit > Find

click the Find toolbar button (binoculars icon) in the Home Toolbar Tab when the
Wave window is active

use the find command

The first two of these options will open a Find mode toolbar at the bottom of the Wave
window. By default, the Search For option is set to Name. For more information,
see Find and Filter Functions.
2. Search for values or transitions:
o

Select Edit > Signal Search

click the Find toolbar button (binoculars icon) and select Search For > Value from
the Find toolbar that appears at the bottom of the Wave window.

Wave window searches can be stopped by clicking the Stop Drawing or Break toolbar
buttons.

Searching for Values or Transitions

Figure 8-16. Selecting Signals for Expression Builder

Note that the buttons in this dialog box allow you to determine the display of signals you want
to put into an expression:

List only Select Signals list only those signals that are currently selected in the
parent window.

List All Signals list all signals currently available in the parent window.

Once you have selected the signals you want displayed in the Expression Builder, click OK.
Other buttons will add operators of various kinds (see Expression Syntax), or you can type them
in.

Related Topics

GUI_expression_format

Saving an Expression to a Tcl Variable

Clicking the Save button in the Expression Builder will save the expression to a Tcl variable.
Once saved, this variable can be used in place of the expression. For example, say you save an
expression to the variable "foo." Here are some operations you could do with the saved variable:

Read the value of foo with the set command:

set foo

Put $foo in the Expression: entry box for the Search for Expression selection.
Issue a searchlog command using foo:

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searchlog -expr $foo 0

Searching for a Particular Value

You can use the Expression Builder to search for when a signal reaches a particular value.

Procedure
1. Select a signal of interest in the Wave window.
2. Choose Wave > Signal Search from the main menu to open the Wave Signal Search
dialog box.
3. Select Search for Expression radio button.
4. Click the Builder button to open the Expression Builder.
5. Click the Selected Signal button to open the Select Signal for Expression dialog box.
6. Click the List only Selected Signals radio button.
7. Highlight the desired signal and click the OK button. This closes the Select Signal for
Expression dialog box and places the selected signal in the Expression field of the
Expression Builder.
8. Click the == button.
9. Click the value buttons or type a value.
10. Click OK to close the Expression Builder.
11. Click the Search Forward or the Search Reverse button to perform the search.

Evaluating Only on Clock Edges

You can use the Expression Builder to evaluate search expressions only on clock edges.

Procedure
1. Select the clock signal in the Wave window.
2. Choose Wave > Signal Search from the main menu to open the Wave Signal Search
dialog box.
3. Select Search for Expression radio button.
4. Click the Builder button to open the Expression Builder.
5. Click the Selected Signal button to open the Select Signal for Expression dialog box.
6. Click the List All Signals radio button.

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7. Highlight the desired signal you want to search and click the OK button. This closes the
Select Signal for Expression dialog box and places the selected signal in the
Expression field of the Expression Builder.
8. Click 'rising. You can also select the falling edge or both edges. Or, click the &&
button to AND this condition with the rest of the expression.
9. Click the Search Forward or the Search Reverse button to perform the search.

Filtering the Wave Window Display

The Wave window includes a filtering function that allows you to filter the display to show only
the desired signals and waveforms.

Procedure
To activate the filtering function:
1. Select Edit > Find in the menu bar (with the Wave window active) or click the
Find icon in the Home Toolbar Tab. This opens a Find toolbar at the bottom of
the Wave window.
2. Click the binoculars icon in the Find field to open a popup menu and select Contains.
This enables the filtering function.

Related Topics
For more information, see Find and Filter Functions.

Formatting the Wave Window

The primary tool for formatting the Wave Window to fit your environment is the Wave
Window Preferences dialog box.

Setting Wave Window Display Preferences

You can set Wave window display preferences by selecting Wave > Wave Preferences (when
the window is docked) or Tools > Window Preferences (when the window is undocked).
These menu selections open the Wave Window Preferences dialog (Figure 8-17).

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Figure 8-17. Display Tab of the Wave Window Preferences Dialog Box

Hiding/Showing Path Hierarchy

You can set how many elements of the object path display by changing the Display Signal Path
value in the Wave Window Preferences dialog.
Zero specifies the full path, 1 specifies the leaf name, and any other positive number specifies
the number of path elements to be displayed (Figure 8-17).

Double-Click Behavior in the Wave Window

You can set the default behavior for double-clicking a waveform in the Wave window.

Procedure
1. In the Wave Window Preferences dialog box, select the Display tab.

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2. In the Enable/Disable section, click on the button after Double-click will: and choose
one of the following actions from the popup menu:

Do Nothing Double-clicking on a waveform does nothing.

Find Immediate Driver Double-clicking a waveform traces to the immediate

driver for that signal.

Find Active Driver Double-clicking on a waveform traces the event for the
specified signal and time back to the process causing the event. The source file
containing the line of code is opened and the driving signal code is highlighted.

Find Root Cause Double-clicking on a waveform traces the event for the
specified signal and time back to the root cause of the event.

Find All Drivers Double-clicking on a waveform traces to all drivers for the
event.

Show Drivers in Dataflow Double-clicking on a waveform traces the event for

Waveform Analysis
Formatting the Wave Window

Figure 8-21. Format Tab of Wave Properties Dialog

Changing Radix (base) for the Wave Window

Waveform Analysis
Formatting the Wave Window

Related Topics
The table below summarizes several actions you can take with dividers:
Table 8-7. Actions for Dividers
Action

Method

Move a divider

Click-and-drag the divider to the desired location

Change a dividers Right-click the divider and select Divider Properties

name or size
Delete a divider

Right-click the divider and select Delete

Splitting Wave Window Panes

The pathnames, values, and waveform panes of the Wave window display can be split to
accommodate signals from one or more datasets.

Procedure
1. To split the window, select Add > Window Pane.
In the illustration below, the top split shows the current active simulation with the prefix
"sim," and the bottom split shows a second dataset with the prefix "gold."
The active split is denoted with a solid white bar to the left of the signal names. The
active split becomes the target for objects added to the Wave window.

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Figure 8-25. Splitting Wave Window Panes

Related Topics
For more information on viewing multiple simulations, see Recording Simulation Results With
Datasets.

Wave Groups
You can create a wave group to collect arbitrary groups of items in the Wave window. Wave
groups have the following characteristics:

A wave group may contain 0, 1, or many items.

You can drag a group around the Wave window or to another Wave window.

You can create a group that contains the input signals to the process that drives a
specified signal.

You can add or remove items from groups either by using a command or by dragging
and dropping.

You can nest multiple wave groups, either from the command line or by dragging and
dropping. Nested groups are saved or restored from a wave.do format file, restart and
checkpoint/restore.

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Creating a Wave Group

There are three ways to create a wave group:

Grouping Signals through Menu Selection

Grouping Signals with the add wave Command
Grouping Signals with a Keyboard Shortcut

Grouping Signals through Menu Selection

If youve already added some signals to the Wave window, you can create a group of signals
using the following procedure.

Procedure
1. Select a set of signals in the Wave window.
2. Select the Wave > Group menu item.
The Wave Group Create dialog appears.
3. Complete the Wave Group Create dialog box:

Group Name specify a name for the group. This name is used in the wave
window.

Group Height specify an integer, in pixels, for the height of the space used for
the group label.

4. Ok

Results
The selected signals become a group denoted by a red diamond in the Wave window pathnames
pane (Figure 8-26), with the name specified in the dialog box.

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Figure 8-26. Wave Groups Denoted by Red Diamond

Adding a Group of Contributing Signals

You can select a signal and create a group that contains the input signals to the process that
drives the selected signal.

Procedure
1. Select a signal for which you want to view the contributing signals.
2. Click the Add Contributing Signals button in the Wave toolbar.

Results
A group with the name Contributors:<signal_name> is placed below the selected signal in the
Wave window pathnames pane (Figure 8-27).

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Figure 8-27. Contributing Signals Group

Grouping Signals with the add wave Command

Add grouped signals to the Wave window from the command line use the following procedure.

Procedure
1. Determine the names of the signals you want to add and the name you want to assign to
the group.
2. From the command line, use the add wave and the -group argument.

Examples

Create a group named mygroup containing three items:

add wave -group mygroup sig1 sig2 sig3

Create an empty group named mygroup:

add wave -group mygroup

Grouping Signals with a Keyboard Shortcut

If youve already added some signals to the Wave window, you can create a group of signals
using the following procedure.

Procedure
1. Select the signals you want to group.
2. Ctrl-g

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Results
The selected signals become a group with a name that references the dataset and common
region, for example: sim:/top/p.
If you use Ctrl-g to group any other signals, they will be placed into any existing group for their
region, rather than creating a new group of only those signals.

Deleting or Ungrouping a Wave Group

If a wave group is selected and cut or deleted the entire group and all its contents will be
removed from the Wave window.
Likewise, the delete wave command will remove the entire group if the group name is specified.
If a wave group is selected and the Wave > Ungroup menu item is selected the group will be
removed and all of its contents will remain in the Wave window in existing order.

Adding Items to an Existing Wave Group

There are three ways to add items to an existing wave group.
1. Using the drag and drop capability to move items outside of the group or from other
windows into the group. The insertion indicator will show the position the item will be
dropped into the group. If the cursor is moved over the lower portion of the group item
name a box will be drawn around the group name indicating the item will be dropped
into the last position in the group.
2. After selecting an insertion point within a group, place the cursor over the object to be
inserted into the group, then click the middle mouse button.
3. After selecting an insertion point within a group, select multiple objects to be inserted
into the group, then click the Add Selected to Window button in the Standard
Toolbar.
4. The cut/copy/paste functions may be used to paste items into a group.
5. Use the add wave -group command.
The following example adds two more signals to an existing group called mygroup.
add wave -group mygroup sig4 sig5

Removing Items from an Existing Wave Group

You can use any of the following methods to remove an item from a wave group.
1. Use the drag and drop capability to move an item outside of the group.

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2. Use menu or icon selections to cut or delete an item or items from the group.
3. Use the delete wave command to specify a signal to be removed from the group.
Note
The delete wave command removes all occurrences of a specified name from the Wave
window, not just an occurrence within a group.

Miscellaneous Wave Group Features

Dragging a wave group from the Wave window to the List window will result in all of the items
within the group being added to the List window.
Dragging a group from the Wave window to the Transcript window will result in a list of all of
the items within the group being added to the existing command line, if any.

Composite Signals or Buses

You can create a composite signal or bus from arbitrary groups of items in the Wave window.
Composite signals have the following characteristics:

Composite signals may contain 0, 1, or many items.

You can drag a group around the Wave window or to another Wave window.

Creating Composite Signals through Menu Selection

If youve already added some signals to the Wave window, you can create a composite signal or
bus using the following procedure.

Procedure
1. Select signals to combine:

Shift-click on signal pathnames to select a contiguous set of signals, records, and/or

busses.

Control-click on individual signal, record, and/or bus pathnames.

2. Select Wave > Combine Signals

3. Complete the Combine Selected Signals dialog box.

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Name Specify the name of the new combined signal or bus.

Top down (default) Signals ordered from the top as selected in the Wave window.

Order to combine selected items Specify the order of the signals within the new
combined signal.

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Bottom Up Signals ordered from the bottom as selected in the Wave window.

Reverse bit order of bus items in result Reverses the bit order of busses that are
included in the new combined signal.

Flatten Arrays (default) Moves elements of arrays to be elements of the new

combined signal. If arrays are not flattened the array itself will be an element of the
new combined signal.

Flatten Records Moves fields of selected records and signals to be elements of

the new combined signal. If records are not flattened the record itself will be an
element of the new combined signal.

Order of Result Indexes Specify the order of the indexes in the combined signal.
Ascending Bits indexed [0 : n] starting with the top signal in the bus.
Descending (default) Bits indexed [n : 0] starting with the top signal in the bus.
Remove selected signals after combining Saves the selected signals in the
combined signal only.

For more information, refer to Virtual Signals.

Related Topics

virtual signal
Virtual Objects
Using the Virtual Signal Builder
Concatenation of Signals or Subelements

Saving the Window Format

By default, all Wave window information is lost once you close the window. If you want to
restore the window to a previously configured layout, you must save a window format file with
the following procedure.

Procedure
1. Add the objects you want to the Wave window.
2. Edit and format the objects to create the view you want.
3. Save the format to a file by selecting File > Save. This opens the Save Format dialog
box (Figure 8-28), where you can save waveform formats in a .do file.

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Figure 8-28. Save Format Dialog

To use the format file, start with a blank Wave window and run the DO file in one of two ways:

Invoke the do command from the command line:

VSIM> do <my_format_file>

Select File > Load.

Note
Window format files are design-specific. Use them only with the design you were
simulating when they were created.

In addition, you can use the write format restart command to create a single .do file that will
recreate all debug windows and breakpoints (see Saving and Restoring Breakpoints) when
invoked with the do command in subsequent simulation runs. The syntax is:
write format restart <filename>

If the ShutdownFile modelsim.ini variable is set to this .do filename, it will call the write format
restart command upon exit.

Exporting Waveforms from the Wave window

This section describes ways to save or print information from the Wave window.

Exporting the Wave Window as a Bitmap Image

You can export the current view of the Wave window to a Bitmap (.bmp) image with the
following procedure.

Procedure
1. Select File > Export > Image from the Main menus
2. Complete the Save Image dialog box.

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Results
The saved bitmap image only contains the current view; it does not contain any signals not
visible in the current scroll region.
Note that you should not select a new window in the GUI until the export has completed,
otherwise your image will contain information about the newly selected window.

Printing the Wave Window to a Postscript File

You can export the contents of the Wave window to a Postscript (.ps) or Extended Postscript
file with the following procedure.

Procedure
1. Select File > Print Postscript from the Main menus.
2. Complete the Write Postscript dialog box.
The Write Postscript dialog box allows you to control the amount of information
exported.

Signal Selection allows you to select which signals are exported

Time Range allows you to select the time range for the given signals.

Note that the output is a simplified black and white representation of the wave window.
You can also perform this action with the write wave command.

Printing the Wave Window on the Windows

Platform
You can print the contents of the Wave window to a networked printer with the following
procedure.

Procedure
1. Select File > Print from the Main menus.
2. Complete the Print dialog box.
The Print dialog box allows you to control the amount of information exported.

Signal Selection allows you to select which signals are exported

Time Range allows you to select the time range for the given signals.

Figure 8-31. Wave Filter Dataset

Working With Multiple Cursors

You can save a portion of your waveforms in a simulation that has multiple cursors set. The new
dataset will start and end at the times indicated by the two cursors chosen, even if the time span
includes another cursor.

Viewing System Verilog Interfaces

You can log and display scalar and array virtual interface values in the Wave and List windows.

Working with Virtual Interfaces

You can perform the following actions with virtual interfaces:

Log the virtual interface with the log command. For example:
log /test2/virt

Add a virtual interface to the List window with the add list command.
Add a virtual interface to the Wave window with the add wave command. For example:
add wave /test2/virt

Adding Virtual Interface References to the Wave Window

You can add the real interfaces that are referenced by a virtual interface.

Procedure
1. Right-click the portion of the virtual interface waveform you are interested in.

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2. Select Add wave <virtual_interface>/*.

Results
The real interface objects are added to the Wave window and logged from the time they are
added.

Examples
Figure 8-32 shows the virtual interface /test2/virt logged in the Wave window with the real
interface /test2/bi1/* added at 75 ns. The nets, array and so forth in the interface /test2/bi2/* are
about to be added.
Figure 8-32. Virtual Interface Objects Added to Wave Window

Combining Objects into Buses

You can combine signals in the Wave window into buses. A bus is a collection of signals
concatenated in a specific order to create a new virtual signal with a specific value.
A virtual compare signal (the result of a comparison simulation) is not supported for
combination with any other signal.
To combine signals into a bus, use one of the following methods:

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Select two or more signals in the Wave window and then choose Tools > Combine
Signals from the menu bar. A virtual signal that is the result of a comparison simulation
is not supported for combining with any other signal.

Use the virtual signal command at the Main window command prompt.

In the illustration below, four signals have been combined to form a new bus called "Bus1."
Note that the component signals are listed in the order in which they were selected in the Wave
window. Also note that the value of the bus is made up of the values of its component signals,
arranged in a specific order.
Figure 8-33. Signals Combined to Create Virtual Bus

Extracting a Bus Slice

You can create a new bus containing a slice of a selected bus using the following procedure.
This action uses the virtual signal command.

Procedure
1. In the Wave window, locate the bus and select the range of signals that you want to
extract.
2. Select Wave > Extract/Pad Slice (Hotkey: Ctrl+e) to display the Wave Extract/Pad Bus
Dialog Box.

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Figure 8-34. Wave Extract/Pad Bus Dialog Box

By default, the dialog box is prepopulated with information based on your selection and
will create a new bus based on this information.
This dialog box also provides you options to pad the selected slice into a larger bus.
3. Click OK to create a group of the extracted signals based on your changes, if any, to the
dialog box.
The new bus, by default, is added to the bottom of the Wave window. Alternatively, you
can follow the directions in Inserting Signals in a Specific Location.

Wave Extract/Pad Bus Dialog Box

Use the Wave > Extract/Pad Slice menu selection to open the Wave Extract/Pad Bus dialog
box.
The features of the Wave Extract/Pad Bus dialog box (Figure 8-34) are as follows:

Source The name of the bus from which you selected the signals.

Slice Range The range of selected signals.

Result Name A generated name based on the source name and the selected signals.
You can change this to a different value.

Padding These options allow you to create signal padding around your extraction.

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Left Pad / Value An integer that represents the number of signals you want to
pad to the left of your extracted signals, followed by the value of those signals.

Right Pad / Value An integer that represents the number of signals you want to
pad to the right of your extracted signals, followed by the value of those signals.

Transcript Commands During creation of the bus, the virtual signal command to
create the extraction is written to the Transcript window.

Splitting a Bus into Several Smaller Buses

You can split a bus into several equal-sized buses using the following procedure. This action
uses the virtual signal command.

Procedure
1. In the Wave window, select the top level of the bus you want to split.
2. Select Wave > Split Bus (Hotkey: Ctrl+p) to display the Wave Split Bus dialog box.
3. Edit the settings of the Wave Split dialog box
o

Source (cannot edit) Shows the name of the selected signal and its range.

Prefix Specify the prefix to be used for the new buses.

The resulting name is of the form: <prefix><n>, where n increments for each group.

Split Width Specify the width of the new buses, which must divide equally into
the bus width.

Using the Virtual Signal Builder

You can create, modify, and combine virtual signals and virtual functions and add them to the
Wave window with the Virtual Signal Builder dialog box.Virtual signals are also added to the
Objects window and can be dragged to the List, and Watch windows once they have been added
to the Wave window.
The Virtual Signal Builder dialog box is accessed by selecting Wave > Virtual Builder when
the Wave window is docked or selecting Tools > Virtual Builder when the Wave window is
undocked. (Figure 8-35)

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Figure 8-35. Virtual Signal Builder

The Name field allows you to enter the name of the new virtual signal or select an
existing virtual signal from the drop down list. Use alpha, numeric, and underscore
characters only, unless you are using VHDL extended identifier notation.

The Editor field is a regular text box. You can enter text directly, copy and paste, or drag
a signal from the Objects, Locals, Source , or Wave window and drop it in the Editor
field.

The Operators field allows you to select from a list of operators. Double-click an
operator to add it to the Editor field.

The Help button provides information about the Name, Clear, and Add Text buttons,
and the Operators field (Figure 8-36).

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Figure 8-36. Virtual Signal Builder Help

The Clear button deletes the contents of the Editor field.

The Test button tests the syntax of your virtual signal.

The Add button places the virtual signal in the Wave window in the default location.
Refer to Inserting Signals in a Specific Location for more information.

Creating a Virtual Signal

Use the following procedure to create a virtual signal with the Virtual Signal Builder.

Prerequisites

An active simulation or open dataset.

An active Wave window with objects loaded in the Pathname pane

Procedure
1. Select Wave >Virtual Builder from the main menu to open the Virtual Signal Builder
dialog box.
2. Drag one or more objects from the Wave or Object window into the Editor field.
3. Modify the object by double-clicking on items in the Operators field or by entering text
directly.

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Tip: Select the Help button then place your cursor in the Operator field to view syntax
usage for some of the available operators. Refer to Figure 8-35
4. Enter a string in the Name field. Use alpha, numeric, and underscore characters only,
unless you are using VHDL extended identifier notation.
5. Select the Test button to verify the expression syntax is parsed correctly.
6. Select Add to place the new virtual signal in the Wave window at the default insertion
point. Refer to Inserting Signals in a Specific Location for more information.
Figure 8-37. Creating a Virtual Signal.

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Results
The virtual signal is added to the Wave window and the Objects window. An orange diamond
marks the location of the virtual signal in the wave window. (Figure 8-38)
Figure 8-38. Virtual Signal in the Wave Window

virtual signal command

virtual function command

GUI_expression_format

Miscellaneous Tasks
The Wave window allows you to perform a wide variety of tasks, from examining waveform
values, to displaying signal drivers and readers, to sorting objects.

Examining Waveform Values

You can use your mouse to display a dialog that shows the value of a waveform at a particular
time.
You can do this two ways:

322

Rest your mouse pointer on a waveform. After a short delay, a dialog will pop-up that
displays the value for the time at which your mouse pointer is positioned. If youd prefer
that this popup not display, it can be toggled off in the display properties. See Setting
Wave Window Display Preferences.

Right-click a waveform and select Examine. A dialog displays the value for the time at
which you clicked your mouse.

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Creating and Managing Breakpoints

Displaying Drivers of the Selected Waveform

You can display the drivers of a signal selected in the Wave window in the Dataflowwindow.

Procedure
1. You can display the signal in one of three ways:

Select a waveform and click the Show Drivers button on the toolbar.
Right-click a waveform and select Show Drivers from the shortcut menu
Double-click a waveform edge (you can enable/disable this option in the display
properties dialog; see Setting Wave Window Display Preferences)

This operation opens the Dataflow window and displays the drivers of the signal
selected in the Wave window. A Wave pane also opens in the Dataflow window to show
the selected signal with a cursor at the selected time. The Dataflow window shows the
signal(s) values at the Wave pane cursor position.

Sorting a Group of Objects in the Wave Window

You can easily sort objects in the Wave window.

Procedure
Select View > Sort to sort the objects in the pathname and values panes.

Creating and Managing Breakpoints

ModelSim supports both signal (that is, when conditions) and file-line breakpoints. Breakpoints
can be set from multiple locations in the GUI or from the command line.

Signal Breakpoints
Signal breakpoints (when conditions) instruct ModelSim to perform actions when the
specified conditions are met. For example, you can break on a signal value or at a specific
simulator time. When a breakpoint is hit, a message in the Main window transcript identifies the
signal that caused the breakpoint.

Setting Signal Breakpoints with the when Command

ModelSim allows you to set a breakpoint with a simple command line instruction.

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Procedure
1. Use the when command to set a signal breakpoint from the VSIM> prompt.

Examples
The command:
when {errorFlag = '1' OR $now = 2 ms} {stop}

adds 2 ms to the simulation time at which the when statement is first evaluated, then stops.
The white space between the value and time unit is required for the time unit to be understood
by the simulator.

Related Topics
See the when command in the Command Reference for additional details and examples.

Setting Signal Breakpoints with the GUI

Signal breakpoints are most easily set in the Objects and Wave windows.

Procedure
1. Right-click a signal and select Insert Breakpoint from the context menu.

Results
A breakpoint is set on that signal and will be listed in the Modify Breakpoints dialog
accessible by selecting Tools > Breakpoints from the Main menu bar.

Modifying Signal Breakpoints

You can easily modify the signal breakpoints you have created.

Procedure
1. Select Tools > Breakpoints from the Main menus.
This will open the Modify Breakpoints dialog (Figure 8-39), which displays a list of all
breakpoints in the design.

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Figure 8-39. Modifying the Breakpoints Dialog

When you select a signal breakpoint from the list and click the Modify button, the Signal
Breakpoint dialog (Figure 8-40) opens, allowing you to modify the breakpoint.

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Figure 8-40. Signal Breakpoint Dialog

File-Line Breakpoints
File-line breakpoints are set on executable lines in your source files. When the line is hit, the
simulator stops and the Source window opens to show the line with the breakpoint. You can
change this behavior by editing the PrefSource(OpenOnBreak) variable.

Setting File-Line Breakpoints Using the bp Command

ModelSim allows you to set a file-line breakpoint with a simple command line instruction.

Procedure
1. Use the bp command to set a file-line breakpoint from the VSIM> prompt.

Examples
The command
bp top.vhd 147

sets a breakpoint in the source file top.vhd at line 147.

Related Topics
See Simulator GUI Preferences for details on setting preference variables.

Setting File-Line Breakpoints Using the GUI

File-line breakpoints are most easily set using your mouse in the Source window.

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Procedure
1. Position your mouse cursor in the line number column next to a red line number (which
indicates an executable line) and click the left mouse button. A red ball denoting a
breakpoint will appear (Figure 8-41).
Figure 8-41. Breakpoints in the Source Window

2. The breakpoints are toggles. Click the left mouse button on the red breakpoint marker to
disable the breakpoint. A disabled breakpoint will appear as a black ball. Click the
marker again to enable it.
3. Right-click the breakpoint marker to open a context menu that allows you to
Enable/Disable, Remove, or Edit the breakpoint. create the colored diamond; click
again to disable or enable the breakpoint.

Modifying a File-Line Breakpoint

You can easily modify a file-line breakpoints.

Procedure
1. Select Tools > Breakpoints from the Main menus. This will open the Modify
Breakpoints dialog (Figure 8-39), which displays a list of all breakpoints in the design.
2. When you select a file-line breakpoint from the list and click the Modify button, the File
Breakpoint dialog (Figure 8-42) opens, allowing you to modify the breakpoint.

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Creating and Managing Breakpoints

Figure 8-42. File Breakpoint Dialog Box

Saving and Restoring Breakpoints

Command line instructions allow you to save and restore breakpoints.

Procedure
1. Use the write format restart command to create a .do file that will recreate all debug
windows, all file/line breakpoints, and all signal breakpoints created with the when
command. The syntax is:
write format restart <filename>

If the ShutdownFile modelsim.ini variable is set to this .do filename, it will call the write
format restart command upon exit.

Results
The file created is primarily a list of add list or add wave commands, though a few other
commands are included. This file may be invoked with the do command to recreate the window
format on a subsequent simulation run.

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Chapter 9
Debugging with the Dataflow Window
This chapter discusses how to use the Dataflow window for tracing signal values, browsing the
physical connectivity of your design, and performing post-simulation debugging operations.

Dataflow Window Overview

The Dataflow window allows you to explore the "physical" connectivity of your design.
Note
This version of ModelSim has limited Dataflow functionality. Many of the features
described below will operate differently. The window will show only one process and its
attached signals or one signal and its attached processes, as displayed in Figure 9-1.
Figure 9-1. The Dataflow Window (undocked) - ModelSim

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Dataflow Usage Flow

The Dataflow window can be used to debug the design currently being simulated, or to perform
post-simulation debugging of a design. For post-simulation debugging, a database is created at
design load time, immediately after elaboration, and used later.
Note
The -postsimdataflow option must be used with the vsim command for the Dataflow
window to be available for post simulation debug operations.

Live Simulation Debug Flow

The usage flow for debugging the live simulation is as follows.

Procedure
1. Compile the design using the vlog and/or vcom commands.
2. Load the design with the vsim command:
vsim <design_name>

3. Run the simulation.

4. Debug your design.
Figure 9-2 illustrates the current and post-sim usage flows for Dataflow debugging.

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Figure 9-2. Dataflow Debugging Usage Flow

compile design

load design with

vsim command

create
run simulation

YES

create database for

post-sim debug?

load design with

vsim -postsimdataflow
-debugdb command

post-sim
debug
database

run simulation

debug
save and quit simulation

use
post-sim
debug
database

recall post-sim
debug database with
dataset open command

debug

Post-Simulation Debug Flow Details

The post-sim debug flow for Dataflow analysis is most commonly used when performing
simulations of large designs in simulation farms, where simulation results are gathered over
extended periods and saved for analysis at a later date. In general, the process consists of two
steps: creating the database and then using it.

Create the Post-Sim Debug Database

Use the following procedure to create a post-simulation debug database.

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Dataflow Usage Flow

Procedure
1. Compile the design using the vlog and/or vcom commands.
2. Load the design with the following commands:
vsim -postsimdataflow -debugdb=<db_pathname> -wlf <db_pathname>
add log -r /*

By default, the Dataflow window is not available for post simulation debug operations.
You must use the -postsimdataflow argument to vsim to make the Dataflow window
available during post-sim debug.
Specify the post-simulation database file name with the -debugdb=<db_pathname>
argument to the vsim command. If a database pathname is not specified, ModelSim
creates a database with the file name vsim.dbg in the current working directory. This
database contains dataflow connectivity information.
Specify the dataset that will contain the database with -wlf <db_pathname>. If a dataset
name is not specified, the default name will be vsim.wlf.
The debug database and the dataset that contains it should have the same base name
(db_pathname).
The add log -r /* command instructs ModelSim to save all signal values generated when
the simulation is run.
3. Run the simulation.
4. Quit the simulation.
The -debugdb=<db_pathname> argument for the vsim command only needs to be used once
after any structural changes to a design. After that, you can reuse the vsim.dbg file along with
updated waveform files (vsim.wlf) to perform post simulation debug.
A structural change is any change that adds or removes nets or instances in the design, or
changes any port/net associations. This also includes processes and primitive instances.
Changes to behavioral code are not considered structural changes. ModelSim does not
automatically detect structural changes. This must be done by the user.

Use the Post-Simulation Debug Database

You can use the saved dataset to view objects and trace connectivity. Use the following
procedure to open a saved dataset.

Procedure
1. Start ModelSim by typing vsim at a UNIX shell prompt; or double-click a ModelSim
icon in Windows.
2. Select File > Change Directory and change to the directory where the post-simulation
debug database resides.
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3. Recall the post-simulation debug database with the following:

dataset open <db_pathname.wlf>

ModelSim opens the .wlf dataset and its associated debug database (.dbg file with the
same basename), if it can be found. If ModelSim cannot find db_pathname.dbg, it will
attempt to open vsim.dbg.

Common Tasks for Dataflow Debugging

Common tasks for current and post-simulation Dataflow debugging include:

Add Objects to the Dataflow Window

Exploring the Connectivity of the Design
Explore Designs with the Embedded Wave Viewer
Tracing Events
Tracing the Source of an Unknown State (StX)
Finding Objects by Name in the Dataflow Window

Add Objects to the Dataflow Window

You can use any of the following methods to add objects to the Dataflow window:

Drag and drop objects from other windows.

Use the add dataflow command.

Use the Add > To Dataflow menu options.

Select the objects you want placed in the Dataflow Window, then click-and-hold the
Add Selected to Window Button in the Standard toolbar and select Add to Dataflow.

The Add > To Dataflow menu offers four commands that will add objects to the window:

View region clear the window and display all signals from the current region

View all nets clear the window and display all signals from the entire design

Add region display all signals from the current region without first clearing the
window

Add ports add port symbols to the port signals in the current region

When you view regions or entire nets, the window initially displays only the drivers of the
added objects. You can view readers as well by right-clicking a selected object, then selecting
Expand net to readers from the right-click popup menu.

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Common Tasks for Dataflow Debugging

The Dataflow window provides automatic indication of input signals that are included in the
process sensitivity list. In Figure 9-3, the dot next to the state of the input clk signal for the
#ALWAYS#155 process. This dot indicates that the clk signal is in the sensitivity list for the
process and will trigger process execution. Inputs without dots are read by the process but will
not trigger process execution, and are not in the sensitivity list (will not change the output by
themselves).
Figure 9-3. Dot Indicates Input in Process Sensitivity Lis

The Dataflow window displays values at the current active time, which is set a number of
different ways:

with the selected cursor in the Wave window

with the selected cursor in the Dataflow windows embedded Wave viewer
with the Current Time label in the Source or Dataflow windows.

Figure 9-4 shows the CurrentTime label in the upper right corner of the Dataflow window.
(This label is turned on by default. If you want to turn it off, select Dataflow > Preferences to
open the Dataflow Options Dialog and check the Current Time label box.) Refer to Current
Time Label for more information.

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Figure 9-4. CurrentTime Label in Dataflow Window

As you expand the view, the layout of the design may adjust to show the connectivity more
clearly. For example, the location of an input signal may shift from the bottom to the top of a
process.

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Analyzing a Scalar Connected to a Wide Bus

During design analysis you may need to trace a signal to a reader or driver through a wide bus.
To prevent the Dataflow window from displaying all of the readers or drivers of the bus follow
this procedure:
1. You must be in a live simulation; you can not perform this action post-simulation.
2. Select a scalar net in the Dataflow window (you must select a scalar)
3. Right-click and select one of the Expand > Expand Bit ... options.
After internally analyzing your selection, the dataflow will then show the connected
net(s) for the scalar you selected without showing all the other parts of the bus. This
saves in processing time and produces a more compact image in the Dataflow window
as opposed to using the Expand > Expand Net ... options, which will show all readers
or drivers that are connected to any portion of the bus.

Control the Display of Readers and Nets

Some nets (such as a clock) in a design can have many readers. This can cause the display to
draw numerous processes that you may not want to see when expanding the selected signal, net,
or register. By default, nets with undisplayed readers or drivers are represented by a dashed line.
If all the readers and drivers for a net are shown, the new will appear as a solid line. To draw the
undisplayed readers or drivers, double-click on the dashed line.

Limiting the Display of Readers

The Dataflow Window limits the number of readers that are added to the display when you click
the Expand Net to Readers button. By default, the limit is 10 readers, but you can change this
limit with the "sproutlimit" Dataflow preference as follows:

Procedure
1. Open the Preferences dialog box by selecting Tools > Edit Preferences.
2. Click the By Name tab.
3. Click the + sign next to Dataflow to see the list of Dataflow preference items.
4. Select sproutlimit from the list and click the Change Value button.
5. Change the value and click the OK button to close the Change Dataflow Preference
Value dialog box.
6. Click OK to close the Preferences dialog box and apply the changes.
The sprout limit is designed to improve performance with high fanout nets such as clock
signals. Each subsequent click of the Expand Net to Readers button adds the sprout limit of
readers until all readers are displayed.

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Note
This limit does not affect the display of drivers.

Limit the Display of Readers and Drivers

To restrict the expansion of readers and/or drivers to the hierarchical boundary of a selected
signal select Dataflow > Dataflow Options to open the Dataflow Options dialog box then
check Stop on port in the Miscellaneous field.

Controlling the Display of Redundant Buffers and

Inverters
The Dataflow window automatically traces a signal through buffers and inverters. This can
cause chains of redundant buffers or inverters to be displayed in the Dataflow window. You can
collapse these chains of buffers or inverters to make the design displayed in the Dataflow
window more compact.
To change the display of redundant buffers and inverters: select Dataflow > Dataflow
Preferences > Options to open the Dataflow Options dialog. The default setting is to display
both redundant buffers and redundant inverters. (Figure 9-5)
Figure 9-5. Controlling Display of Redundant Buffers and Inverters

Track Your Path Through the Design

You can quickly traverse through many components in your design. To help mark your path, the
objects that you have expanded are highlighted in green.

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Figure 9-6. Green Highlighting Shows Your Path Through the Design

You can clear this highlighting using the Dataflow > Remove Highlight menu
selection or by clicking the Remove All Highlights icon in the toolbar. If you click
and hold the Remove All Highlights icon a dropdown menu appears, allowing you to
remove only selected highlights.
You can also highlight the selected trace with any color of your choice by right-clicking
Dataflow window and selecting Highlight Selection from the popup menu (Figure 9-7).

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Figure 9-7. Highlight Selected Trace with Custom Color

You can then choose from one of five pre-defined colors, or Customize to choose from the
palette in the Preferences dialog box.

Explore Designs with the Embedded Wave Viewer

Another way of exploring your design is to use the Dataflow windows embedded wave viewer.
This viewer closely resembles, in appearance and operation, the stand-alone Wave window.
The wave viewer is opened using the Dataflow > Show Wave menu selection or by
clicking the Show Wave icon.
When wave viewer is first displayed, the visible zoom range is set to match that of the last
active Wave window, if one exists. Additionally, the wave viewer's moveable cursor (Cursor 1)
is automatically positioned to the location of the active cursor in the last active Wave window.
The Current Time label in the upper right of the Dataflow window automatically displays the
time of the currently active cursor. Refer to Current Time Label for information about working
with the Current Time label.

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Common Tasks for Dataflow Debugging

One common scenario is to place signals in the wave viewer and the Dataflow panes, run the
design for some amount of time, and then use time cursors to investigate value changes. In other
words, as you place and move cursors in the wave viewer pane (see Measuring Time with
Cursors in the Wave Window for details), the signal values update in the Dataflow window.
Figure 9-8. Wave Viewer Displays Inputs and Outputs of Selected Process

Another scenario is to select a process in the Dataflow pane, which automatically adds to the
wave viewer pane all signals attached to the process.

Related Topics
Waveform Analysis
Tracing Events

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Tracing Events
You can use the Dataflow window to trace an event to the cause of an unexpected output. This
feature uses the Dataflow windows embedded wave viewer. First, you identify an output of
interest in the dataflow pane, then use time cursors in the wave viewer pane to identify events
that contribute to the output.

Procedure
1. Log all signals before starting the simulation (add log -r /*).
2. After running a simulation for some period of time, open the Dataflow window and the
wave viewer pane.
3. Add a process or signal of interest into the dataflow pane (if adding a signal, find its
driving process). Select the process and all signals attached to the selected process will
appear in the wave viewer pane.
4. Place a time cursor on an edge of interest; the edge should be on a signal that is an
output of the process.
5. Right-click and select Trace Next Event.
A second cursor is added at the most recent input event.
6. Keep selecting Trace Next Event until you've reached an input event of interest. Note
that the signals with the events are selected in the wave viewer pane.
7. Right-click and select Trace Event Set.
The Dataflow display "jumps" to the source of the selected input event(s). The operation
follows all signals selected in the wave viewer pane. You can change which signals are
followed by changing the selection.
8. To continue tracing, go back to step 5 and repeat.
If you want to start over at the originally selected output, right-click and select Trace Event
Reset.

Related Topics
Explore Designs with the Embedded Wave
Viewer

Tracing the Source of an Unknown State (StX)

Another useful Dataflow window debugging tool is the ability to trace an unknown state (StX)
back to its source. Unknown values are indicated by red lines in the Wave window (Figure 6-9)
and in the wave viewer pane of the Dataflow window.

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Figure 9-9. Unknown States Shown as Red Lines in Wave Window

Procedure
1. Load your design.
2. Log all signals in the design or any signals that may possibly contribute to the unknown
value (log -r /* will log all signals in the design).
3. Add signals to the Wave window or wave viewer pane, and run your design the desired
length of time.
4. Put a Wave window cursor on the time at which the signal value is unknown (StX). In
Figure 9-9, Cursor 1 at time 2305 shows an unknown state on signal t_out.
5. Add the signal of interest to the Dataflow window by doing one of the following:
o

Select the signal in the Wave Window, select Add Selected to Window in the
Standard toolbar > Add to Dataflow.

right-click the signal in the Objects window and select Add > To Dataflow >
Selected Signals from the popup menu,

select the signal in the Objects window and select Add > To Dataflow > Selected
Items from the menu bar.

6. In the Dataflow window, make sure the signal of interest is selected.

7. Trace to the source of the unknown by doing one of the following:
o

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If the Dataflow window is docked, make one of the following menu selections:
Tools > Trace > TraceX,
Tools > Trace > TraceX Delay,

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Tools > Trace > ChaseX, or

Tools > Trace > ChaseX Delay.
o

If the Dataflow window is undocked, make one of the following menu selections:
Trace > TraceX,
Trace > TraceX Delay,
Trace > ChaseX, or
Trace > ChaseX Delay.
These commands behave as follows:

TraceX / TraceX Delay TraceX steps back to the last driver of an X value.
TraceX Delay works similarly but it steps back in time to the last driver of an X
value. TraceX should be used for RTL designs; TraceX Delay should be used
for gate-level netlists with back annotated delays.

ChaseX / ChaseX Delay ChaseX jumps through a design from output to

input, following X values. ChaseX Delay acts the same as ChaseX but also
moves backwards in time to the point where the output value transitions to X.
ChaseX should be used for RTL designs; ChaseX Delay should be used for
gate-level netlists with back annotated delays.

Finding Objects by Name in the Dataflow Window

Select Edit > Find from the menu bar, or click the Find icon in the toolbar, to search
for signal, net, or register names or an instance of a component. This opens the search
toolbar at the bottom of the Dataflow window.
With the search toolbar you can limit the search by type to instances or signals. You select
Exact to find an item that exactly matches the entry youve typed in the Find field. The Match
case selection will enforce case-sensitive matching of your entry. And the Zoom to selection
will zoom in to the item in the Find field.
The Find All button allows you to find and highlight all occurrences of the item in the Find
field. If Zoom to is checked, the view will change such that all selected items are viewable. If
Zoom to is not selected, then no change is made to zoom or scroll state.

Automatically Tracing All Paths Between Two Nets

This behavior is referred to as point-to-point tracing. It allows you to visualize all paths
connecting two different nets in your dataflow.

Prerequisites

This feature is available during a live simulation, not when performing post-simulation
debugging.

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Procedure
Use one of the following procedures to trace or modify the paths between two nets:
If you want to...

Do the following:

Trace a path between two

nets

1. Select Source Click on the net to be your source

2. Select Destination Shift-click on the net to be your
destination
3. Run point-to-point tracing Right-click in the Dataflow
window and select Point to Point.

Perform point-to-point
tracing from the command
line

1. Determine the names of the nets

2. Use the add dataflow command with the -connect switch.
for example:
add data -connect /test_ringbuf/pseudo
/test_ringbuf/ring_inst/txd

where /test_ringbuf/pseudo is the source net and

/test_ringbuf/ring_inst/txd is the destination net.
Change the limit of
highlighted processes
There is a limit of 400
processes that will be
highlighted

1. Tools > Edit Preferences

2. By Name tab
3. Dataflow > p2plimit option

Remove the point-to-point

tracing

1. Right-click in the Dataflow window

2. Erase Highlights

Results
After beginning the point-to-point tracing, the Dataflow window highlights your design as
shown in Figure 9-10:

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All objects become gray

The source net becomes yellow
The destination net becomes red
All intermediate processes and nets become orange.

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Dataflow Concepts

Figure 9-10. Dataflow: Point-to-Point Tracing

Dataflow Concepts
This section provides an introduction to the following important Dataflow concepts:

Symbol Mapping
Current vs. Post-Simulation Command Output

Symbol Mapping
The Dataflow window has built-in mappings for all Verilog primitive gates (for example, AND,
OR, and so forth). You can also map VHDL entities and Verilog/SystemVerilog modules that
represent a cell definition, or processes, to built-in gate symbols.
The mappings are saved in a file where the default filename is dataflow.bsm (.bsm stands for
"Built-in Symbol Map") The Dataflow window looks in the current working directory and
inside each library referenced by the design for the file. It will read all files found. You can also
manually load a .bsm file by selecting Dataflow > Dataflow Preferences > Load Built in
Symbol Map.
The dataflow.bsm file contains comments and name pairs, one comment or name per line. Use
the following Backus-Naur Format naming syntax:

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Syntax
<bsm_line> ::= <comment> | <statement>

Arguments

<comment> ::= "#" <text> <EOL>

<gate> ::= "BUF"|"BUFIF0"|"BUFIF1"|"INV"|"INVIF0"|"INVIF1"|"AND"|"NAND"|

<statement> ::= <name_pattern> <gate>

<name_pattern> ::= [<library_name> "."] <du_name> ["(" <specialization> ")"]
[","<process_name>]

Examples

Example 1
org(only),p1 OR
andg(only),p1 AND
mylib,andg.p1 AND
norg,p2 NOR

Entities and modules representing cells are mapped the same way:
AND1 AND
# A 2-input and gate
AND2 AND
mylib,andg.p1 AND
xnor(test) XNOR

Note
For primitive gate symbols, pin mapping is automatic.

User-Defined Symbols
You can also define your own symbols using an ASCII symbol library file format for defining
symbol shapes. This capability is delivered via Concept Engineerings NlviewTM widget Symlib
format. The symbol definitions are saved in the dataflow.sym file.
The formal BNF format for the dataflow.sym file format is:

Syntax
<sym_line> ::= <comment> | <statement>

Arguments
<comment> ::= "#" <text> <EOL>
<statement> ::= "symbol" <name_pattern> "*" "DEF" <definition>
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<name_pattern> ::= [<library_name> "."] <du_name> ["(" <specialization> ")"]

[","<process_name>]
<gate> ::= "port" | "portBus" | "permute" | "attrdsp" | "pinattrdsp" | "arc" | "path" | "fpath"
| "text" | "place" | "boxcolor"
Note
The port names in the definition must match the port names in the entity or module
definition or mapping will not occur.
The Dataflow window will search the current working directory, and inside each library
referenced by the design, for the file dataflow.sym. Any and all files found will be given to the
Nlview widget to use for symbol lookups. Again, as with the built-in symbols, the DU name and
optional process name is used for the symbol lookup. Here's an example of a symbol for a full
adder:
symbol adder(structural) * DEF \
port a in -loc -12 -15 0 -15 \
pinattrdsp @name -cl 2 -15 8 \
port b in -loc -12 15 0 15 \
pinattrdsp @name -cl 2 15 8 \
port cin in -loc 20 -40 20 -28 \
pinattrdsp @name -uc 19 -26 8 \
port cout out -loc 20 40 20 28 \
pinattrdsp @name -lc 19 26 8 \
port sum out -loc 63 0 51 0 \
pinattrdsp @name -cr 49 0 8 \
path 10 0 0 7 \
path 0 7 0 35 \
path 0 35 51 17 \
path 51 17 51 -17 \
path 51 -17 0 -35 \
path 0 -35 0 -7 \
path 0 -7 10 0

Port mapping is done by name for these symbols, so the port names in the symbol definition
must match the port names of the Entity|Module|Process (in the case of the process, its the
signal names that the process reads/writes).
When you create or modify a symlib file, you must generate a file index. This index is how the
Nlview widget finds and extracts symbols from the file. To generate the index, select Dataflow
> Dataflow Preferences > Create Symlib Index (Dataflow window) and specify the symlib
file. The file will be rewritten with a correct, up-to-date index. If you save the file as
dataflow.sym the Dataflow window will automatically load the file. You can also manually load
a .sym file by selecting Dataflow > Dataflow Preferences > Load Symlib Library.

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Dataflow Window Graphic Interface Reference

Note
When you map a process to a gate symbol, it is best to name the process statement within
your HDL source code, and use that name in the .bsm or .sym file. If you reference a
default name that contains line numbers, you will need to edit the .bsm and/or .sym file
every time you add or subtract lines in your HDL source.

Current vs. Post-Simulation Command Output

ModelSim includes driver and readers commands that can be invoked from the command line to
provide information about signals displayed in the Dataflow window. In live simulation mode,
the drivers and readers commands will provide both topological information and signal values.
In post-simulation mode, however, these commands will provide only topological information.
Driver and reader values are not saved in the post-simulation debug database.

Dataflow Window Graphic Interface Reference

This section answers several common questions about using the Dataflow windows graphic
user interface:

What Can I View in the Dataflow Window?

How is the Dataflow Window Linked to Other Windows?
How Can I Print and Save the Display?
How Do I Configure Window Options?

What Can I View in the Dataflow Window?

The Dataflow window displays processes, signals, nets, and registers.
The window has built-in mappings for all Verilog primitive gates (for example, AND, OR, and
so forth). For components other than Verilog primitives, you can define a mapping between
processes and built-in symbols. See Symbol Mapping for details.

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How is the Dataflow Window Linked to Other

Windows?
The Dataflow window is dynamically linked to other debugging windows and panes as
described in the Table below.
Table 9-2. Dataflow Window Links to Other Windows and Panes
Window

Link

Structure Window

select a signal or process in the Dataflow window, and the

structure tab updates if that object is in a different design unit

Processes Window

select a process in either window, and that process is

highlighted in the other

Objects Window

select a design object in either window, and that object is

highlighted in the other

Wave Window

trace through the design in the Dataflow window, and the

associated signals are added to the Wave window
move a cursor in the Wave window, and the values update in
the Dataflow window

Source Window

select an object in the Dataflow window, and the Source

window updates if that object is in a different source file

How Can I Print and Save the Display?

You can print the Dataflow window display from a saved .eps file in UNIX, or by simple menu
selections in Windows. The Page Setup dialog allows you to configure the display for printing.

Save a .eps File and Printing the Dataflow Display from

UNIX
With the Dataflow window active, select File > Print Postscript to setup and print the
Dataflow display in UNIX, or save the waveform as an .eps file on any platform.

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Figure 9-11. The Print Postscript Dialog

Print from the Dataflow Display on Windows Platforms

With the Dataflow window active, select File > Print to print the Dataflow display or to save
the display to a file.
Figure 9-12. The Print Dialog

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Configure Page Setup

With the Dataflow window active, select File > Page setup to open the Page Setup dialog. You
can also open this dialog by clicking the Setup button in the Print Postscript dialog. This dialog
allows you to configure page view, highlight, color mode, orientation, and paper options.
Figure 9-13. The Page Setup Dialog

How Do I Configure Window Options?

You can configure several options that determine how the Dataflow window behaves. The
settings affect only the current session.
Select DataFlow > Dataflow Preferences > Options to open the Dataflow Options dialog box.

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Figure 9-14. Dataflow Options Dialog

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Chapter 10
Source Window
This chapter discusses the uses of the Source Window for editing, debugging, causality tracing,
and code coverage.
Opening Source Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Data and Objects in the Source Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Breakpoints. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Source Window Bookmarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Source Window Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

353
355
361
368
369

Opening Source Files

You can open HDL, Verilog, SystemVerilog, SystemC, DO or script files, and text files in the
Source window for editing and debugging.
Table 10-1. Open a Source File
To open from ...
Main Menu Bar

Do the following ...

1. Select File > Open
2. Select the file from the Open File dialog box

Other windows

Double-click objects in the Ranked, Call Tree, Design Unit,

Structure, Objects, and other windows. The underlying source file
for the object opens in the Source window, the indicator scrolls to
the line where the object is defined, and the line is book marked.

Window context menu

Select View Source from context menus in the Message Viewer,

Assertions, Files, Structure, and other windows.

Command line

Enter the edit <filename> command to open an existing file.

Create new file

1. Select File > New > Source

2. Select one of the file types from the drop down list.

Changing File Permissions

If a file is protected you must create a copy of the file or change file permissions in order to
make changes to your source documents. Protected files can be edited in the Source window but
the changes must be saved to a new file. To edit the original source document(s) you must
change the read/write file permissions outside of ModelSim.

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Navigating Through Your Design

By default, files open in read-only mode even if the original source document file permissions
allow you to edit the document. To change this behavior, set the PrefSource(ReadOnly)
preference variable to 0. Refer to Setting GUI Preferences for details on setting preference
variables.
To change file permissions from the Source window:

Procedure
1. Right-click in the Source window
2. Select (un-check) Read Only.
3. Edit your file.
4. Save your file under a different name.

Updates to Externally Edited Source Files

The following preference variables control how ModelSim works with source files that have
been edited outside of the simulators Source window.

PrefSource(CheckModifiedFiles) Enables checking for source files for modification

by an external editor.

PrefSource(AutoReloadModifiedFiles) Enables automatic reload of files that were

modified by an external editor.

Refer to Setting GUI Preferences for more information about changing simulator preferences.

Navigating Through Your Design

When debugging your design from within the GUI, ModelSim keeps a log of all areas of the
design environment you have examined or opened, similar to the functionality in most web
browsers. This log allows you to easily navigate through your design hierarchy, returning to
previous views and contexts for debugging purposes.

Procedure
1. Select then right-click an instance name in a source document.
2. Select one of the following options:

Open Instance changes your context to the instance you have selected within the
source file. This is not available if you have not placed your cursor in, or highlighted
the name of, an instance within your source file.
If any ambiguities exist, most likely due to generate statements, this option opens a
dialog box allowing you to choose from all available instances.

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Data and Objects in the Source Window

Ascend Env changes your context to the next level up within the design. This is
not available if you are at the top-level of your design.

Back/Forward allows you to change to previously selected contexts. Questa

saves up to 50 context locations. This is not available if you have not changed your
context. (Figure 10-1):
Figure 10-1. Setting Context from Source Files

Note
The Open Instance option is essentially executing an environment command to change
your context. Therefore any time you use this command manually at the command
prompt, that information is also saved for use with the Back/Forward options.

Data and Objects in the Source Window

The Source window allows you to display the current value of objects, trace connectivity
information, and display coverage data during a simulation run.

Object Values and Descriptions

You can obtain data on objects displayed in the Source window.
To determine the value and description of an object displayed in the Source window, do either
of the following:

Select an object, then right-click and select Examine or Describe from the context
menu.

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Data and Objects in the Source Window

Pause over an object with your mouse pointer to see an examine window popup.
(Figure 10-2)
Figure 10-2. Examine Pop Up

You can select Source > Examine Now or Source > Examine Current Cursor to choose at
what simulation time the object is examined or described. Refer to Setting Simulation Time in
the Source Window for more information.
You can also invoke the examine and/or describe commands on the command line or in a DO
file.

Setting Simulation Time in the Source Window

The Source window includes a time indicator in the top right corner that displays the current
simulation time, the time of the active cursor in the Wave window, or a user-designated time.
Figure 10-3. Current Time Label in Source Window

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Data and Objects in the Source Window

Procedure
You have several options for setting the time display in the Source window,

Change time in the Current Time Label.

a. Click the time indicator to open the Enter Value dialog box (Figure 10-4).
b. Change the value to the starting time you want for the causality trace.
c. Click the OK button.
Figure 10-4. Enter an Event Time Value

Show the signal values at the current simulation time by selecting Source > Examine
Now. This is the default behavior. The window automatically updates the values as you
perform a run or a single-step action.

Show the signal values at current cursor position in the Wave window by selecting
Source > Examine Current Cursor.

Search for Source Code Objects

The Source window includes a Find function that allows you to search for specific code. You
can search for one instance of a string, multiple instances, and the original declaration of a
specified object.

Searching for One Instance of a String

You can search for one instance of a string. This search procedure starts from the current
location in the open source file and finds the next instance of the specified search string.

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Data and Objects in the Source Window

Procedure
1. Make the Source window the active window by clicking anywhere in the window
2. Select Edit > Find from the Main menu or press Ctrl-F. The Search bar is added to the
bottom of the Source Window.
3. Enter your search string, then press Enter
The cursor jumps to the first instance of the search string in the current document and
highlights it. Pressing the Enter key advances the search to the next instance of the string
and so on through the source document.

Searching for All Instances of a String

You can search for and bookmark every instance of a search string making it easier to track
specific objects throughout a source file.

Procedure
1. Enter the search term in the search field.
2. Select the Find Options drop menu and select Bookmark All Matches.
Figure 10-5. Bookmark All Instances of a Search

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Debugging and Textual Connectivity

Searching for the Original Declaration of an Object

You can also search for the original declaration of an object, signal, parameter, and so on.

Procedure

Double click on the object in many windows, including the Structure, Objects, and List
windows. The Source window opens the source document containing the original
declaration of the object and places a bookmark on that line of the document.

Double click on a hyperlinked section of code in your source document. The source
document is either opened or made the active Source window document and the
declaration is highlighted briefly. Refer to Hyperlinked Text for more information about
enabling hyperlinked text.

Debugging and Textual Connectivity

Source Window
Breakpoints

sets a breakpoint in the source file top.vhd at line 147.

Select Tools > Breakpoints from the Main menu.

Click the Edit Breakpoints toolbar button from the Simulate Toolbar.

Right-click a breakpoint in your source file and select Edit All Breakpoints from the
popup menu.

Using the Modify Breakpoints Dialog Box

The Modify Breakpoints dialog box provides a list of all breakpoints in the design organized by
ID number.

Procedure
1. Select a file-line breakpoint from the list in the Breakpoints field.
2. Click Modify, which opens the File Breakpoint dialog box, Figure 10-7.

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Breakpoints

Figure 10-7. Editing Existing Breakpoints

3. Fill out any of the following fields to edit the selected breakpoint:

Breakpoint Label Designates a label for the breakpoint.

Breakpoint Condition One or more conditions that determine whether the

breakpoint is observed. If the condition is true, the simulation stops at the
breakpoint. If false, the simulation bypasses the breakpoint. A condition cannot refer

Instance Name The full pathname to an instance that sets a SystemC breakpoint
so it applies only to that specified instance.

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Breakpoints

to a VHDL variable (only a signal). Refer to Setting Conditional Breakpoints for

more information.

Breakpoint Command A string, enclosed in braces ({}) that specifies one or

more commands to be executed at the breakpoint. Use a semicolon (;) to separate
multiple commands.

Tip: These fields in the File Breakpoint dialog box use the same syntax and format as the
-inst switch, the -cond switch, and the command string of the bp command. For more
information on these command options, refer to the bp command in the Reference
Manual.
4. Click OK to close the File Breakpoints dialog box.
5. Click OK to close the Modify Breakpoints dialog box.

Deleting Individual Breakpoints

You can permanently delete individual file-line breakpoints using the breakpoint context menu.

Procedure
1. Right-click the red breakpoint marker in the file line column.
2. Select Remove Breakpoint from the context menu.

Deleting Groups of Breakpoints

You can delete groups of breakpoints with the Modify Breakpoints Dialog.

Procedure
1. Open the Modify Breakpoints dialog.
2. Select and highlight the breakpoints you want to delete.
3. Click the Delete button
4. OK.

Saving and Restoring Breakpoints

You can save your breakpoints in a separate breakpoints.do file or save the breakpoint settings
as part of a larger .do file that recreates all debug windows and includes breakpoints.

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Breakpoints

Procedure
1. To save your breakpoints in a .do file, select Tools > Breakpoints to open the Modify
Breakpoints dialog. Click Save. You will be prompted to save the file under the name:
breakpoints.do.
To restore the breakpoints, start the simulation then enter:
do breakpoints.do

2. To save your breakpoints together with debug window settings, enter

write format restart <filename>

The write format restart command creates a single .do file that saves all debug windows,
file/line breakpoints, and signal breakpoints created using the when command.The file
created is primarily a list of add list or add wave commands, though a few other
commands are included. If the ShutdownFile modelsim.ini variable is set to this .do
filename, it will call the write format restart command upon exit.
To restore debugging windows and breakpoints enter:
do <filename>.do

Note
Editing your source file can cause changes in the numbering of the lines of code.
Breakpoints saved prior to editing your source file may need to be edited once they are
restored in order to place them on the appropriate code line.

Setting Conditional Breakpoints

In dynamic class-based code, an expression can be executed by more than one object or class
instance during the simulation of a design. You set a conditional breakpoint on the line in the
source file that defines the expression and specifies a condition of the expression or instance
you want to examine. You can write conditional breakpoints to evaluate an absolute expression
or a relative expression.
You can use the SystemVerilog keyword this when writing conditional breakpoints to refer to
properties, parameters or methods of an instance. The value of this changes every time the
expression is evaluated based on the properties of the current instance. Your context must be
within a local method of the same class when specifying the keyword this in the condition for a
breakpoint. Strings are not allowed.
The conditional breakpoint examples below refer to the following SystemVerilog source code
file source.sv:

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Breakpoints

Figure 10-8. Source Code for source.sv

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37

class Simple;
integer cnt;
integer id;
Simple next;
function new(int x);
id=x;
cnt=0
next=null
endfunction
task up;
cnt=cnt+1;
if (next) begin
next.up;
end
endtask
endclass
module test;
reg clk;
Simple a;
Simple b;
initial
begin
a = new(7);
b = new(5);
end
always @(posedge clk)
begin
a.up;
b.up;
a.up
end;
endmodule

Setting a Breakpoint For a Specific Instance

You can set a breakpoint for a value of specific instance from the GUI or from the command
line.

Procedure
Enter the following on the command line
bp simple.sv 13 -cond {this.id==7}

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Breakpoints

Results
The simulation breaks at line 13 of the simple.sv source file (Figure 10-8) the first time module
a hits the expression because the breakpoint is evaluating for an id of 7 (refer to line 27).

Setting a Breakpoint For a Specified Value of Any

Instance
You can set a breakpoint for a specific value of any instance from the GUI or from the
command line.

Procedure

From the command line enter:

bp simple.sv 13 -cond {this.cnt==8}

From the GUI:

a. Right-click on line 13 of the simple.sv source file.
b. Select Edit Breakpoint 13 from the drop menu.
c. Enter
this.cnt==8

in the Breakpoint Condition field of the Modify Breakpoint dialog box. (Refer to
Figure 10-7) Note that the file name and line number are automatically entered.

Results
The simulation evaluates the expression at line 13 in the simple.sv source file (Figure 10-8),
continuing the simulation run if the breakpoint evaluates to false. When an instance evaluates to
true the simulation stops, the source is opened and highlights line 13 with a blue arrow. The first
time cnt=8 evaluates to true, the simulation breaks for an instance of module Simple b. When
you resume the simulation, the expression evaluates to cnt=8 again, but this time for an instance
of module Simple a.
You can also set this breakpoint with the GUI:

Run Until Here

The Source window allows you to run the simulation to a specified line of code with the Run
Until Here feature. When you invoke Run Until Here, the simulation will run from the
current simulation time and stop on the specified line unless:

The simulator encounters a breakpoint.

Optionally, the Run Length preference variable causes the simulation run to stop.

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Source Window Bookmarks

The simulation encounters a bug.

To specify Run Until Here, right-click on the line where you want the simulation to stop and
select Run Until Here from the pop up context menu. The simulation starts running the
moment the right mouse button releases.
The simulator run length is set in the Simulation Toolbar and specifies the amount of time the
simulator will run before stopping. By default, Run Until Here will ignore the time interval
entered in the Run Length field of the Simulation Toolbar unless the
PrefSouce(RunUntilHereUseRL) preference variable is set to 1 (enabled). When
PrefSource(RunUntilHereUseRL) is enabled, the simulator will invoke Run Until Here and
stop when the amount of time entered in the Run Time field has been reached, a breakpoint is
hit, or the specified line of code is reached, whichever happens first.
For more information about setting preference variables, refer to Setting GUI Preferences.

Source Window Bookmarks

Source window bookmarks are graphical icons that give you reference points within your code.
The blue flags mark individual lines of code in a source file and can assist visual navigation
through a large source file by marking certain lines. Bookmarks can be added to currently open
source files only and are deleted once the file is closed.

Setting and Removing Bookmarks

You can set bookmarks in the following ways.

Procedure

Set an individual bookmark.

a. Right-click in the Line number column on the line you want to bookmark then select
Add/Remove Bookmark.

Set multiple bookmarks based on a search term refer to Searching for All Instances of a
String.

To remove a bookmark:

368

Right-click the line number with the bookmark you want to remove and select
Add/Remove Bookmark.

Select the Clear Bookmarks button in the Source toolbar.

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Source Window
Source Window Preferences

Source Window Preferences

You can customize a variety of settings for Source windows. You can change the appearance
and behavior of the window in several ways.

Related Topics
Customizing the Source Window
GUI Preferences

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Chapter 11
Signal Spy
The Verilog language allows access to any signal from any other hierarchical block without
having to route it through the interface. This means you can use hierarchical notation to either
write or read the value of a signal in the design hierarchy from a test bench. Verilog can also
reference a signal in a VHDL block or reference a signal in a Verilog block through a level of
VHDL hierarchy.
Note
This version of ModelSim does not support the features in this section describing the use
of SystemC.
With the VHDL-2008 standard, VHDL supports hierarchical referencing as well. However,
you cannot reference from VHDL to Verilog. The Signal Spy procedures and system tasks
provide hierarchical referencing across any mix of Verilog, VHDL and/or SystemC, allowing
you to monitor (spy), drive, force, or release hierarchical objects in mixed designs. While not
strictly required for references beginning in Verilog, it does allow references to be consistent
across all languages.

Signal Spy Concepts

Signal Spy procedures for VHDL are provided in the VHDL Utilities Package (util) within the
modelsim_lib library.
To access these procedures, you would add lines like the following to your VHDL code:
library modelsim_lib;
use modelsim_lib.util.all;

The Verilog tasks and SystemC functions are available as built-in SystemVerilog System Tasks
and Functions.
Table 11-1. Signal Spy Reference Comparison
Refer to:

VHDL procedures

Verilog system tasks

SystemC function

disable_signal_spy

disable_signal_spy()

$disable_signal_spy()

disable_signal_spy()

enable_signal_spy

enable_signal_spy()

$enable_signal_spy()

enable_signal_spy()

init_signal_driver

init_signal_driver()

$init_signal_driver()

init_signal_driver()

init_signal_spy

init_signal_spy()

$init_signal_spy()

init_signal_spy()

signal_force

signal_force()

$signal_force()

signal_force()

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Signal Spy Concepts

Table 11-1. Signal Spy Reference Comparison (cont.)

Refer to:

VHDL procedures

Verilog system tasks

SystemC function

signal_release

signal_release()

$signal_release()

signal_release()

Note that using Signal Spy procedures limits the portability of your codeHDL code with
Signal Spy procedures or tasks works only in Questa and Modelsim. Consequently, you should
use Signal Spy only in test benches, where portability is less of a concern and the need for such
procedures and tasks is more applicable.

Signal Spy Formatting Syntax

Strings that you pass to Signal Spy commands are not language-specific and should be
formatted as if you were referring to the object from the command line of the simulator. Thus,
you use the simulator's path separator. For example, the Verilog LRM specifies that a Verilog
hierarchical reference to an object always has a period (.) as the hierarchical separator, but the
reference does not begin with a period.

Related Topics
VHDL Utilities Package (util)

Signal Spy Supported Types

Signal Spy supports the following SystemVerilog types and user-defined SystemC types.

SystemVerilog types
o

All scalar and integer SV types (bit, logic, int, shortint, longint, integer, byte, both
signed and unsigned variations of these types)

Real and Shortreal

User defined types (packed/unpacked structures including nested structures,

packed/unpacked unions, enums)

Arrays and Multi-D arrays of all supported types.

SystemC types
o

Primitive C floating point types (double, float)

User defined types (structures including nested structures, unions, enums)

Cross-language type-checks and mappings are included to support these types across all the
possible language combinations:

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Signal Spy Reference

SystemC-SystemC
SystemC-VHDL
VHDL-SystemVerilog
SystemVerilog-SystemVerilog

In addition to referring to the complete signal, you can also address the bit-selects, field-selects
and part-selects of the supported types. For example:
/top/myInst/my_record[2].my_field1[4].my_vector[8]

Signal Spy Reference

The signal spy calls enumerated below include the syntax and arguments for the VHDL
procedure, the Verilog task, and the SystemC function for each call.

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disable_signal_spy

disable_signal_spy
This reference section describes the following:
VHDL Procedure disable_signal_spy()

Verilog Task $disable_signal_spy()

SystemC Function disable_signal_spy()

The disable_signal_spy call disables the associated init_signal_spy. The association between
the disable_signal_spy call and the init_signal_spy call is based on specifying the same
src_object and dest_object arguments to both. The disable_signal_spy call can only affect
init_signal_spy calls that had their control_state argument set to "0" or "1".
By default this command uses a forward slash (/) as a path separator. You can change this
behavior with the SignalSpyPathSeparator variable in the modelsim.ini file.

Syntax
VHDL Syntax

disable_signal_spy(<src_object>, <dest_object>, <verbose>)

Verilog Syntax

$disable_signal_spy(<src_object>, <dest_object>, <verbose>)

SystemC Syntax

disable_signal_spy(<src_object>, <dest_object>, <verbose>)

Arguments

src_object
Required string. A full hierarchical path (or relative downward path with reference to the
calling block) to a VHDL signal, SystemVerilog or Verilog register/net, or SystemC signal.
This path should match the path that was specified in the init_signal_spy call that you want
to disable.

dest_object
Required string. A full hierarchical path (or relative downward path with reference to the
calling block) to a VHDL signal, SystemVerilog or Verilog register/net, or SystemC signal.
This path should match the path that was specified in the init_signal_spy call that you want
to disable.

verbose
Optional integer. Specifies whether you want a message reported in the transcript stating
that a disable occurred and the simulation time that it occurred.
0 Does not report a message. Default.
1 Reports a message.

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disable_signal_spy

Return Values
Nothing

Examples
See Examples on page 384.

Related Topics
init_signal_spy, enable_signal_spy

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enable_signal_spy

enable_signal_spy
This reference section describes the following:
VHDL Procedure enable_signal_spy()

Verilog Task $enable_signal_spy()

SystemC Function enable_signal_spy()

The enable_signal_spy() call enables the associated init_signal_spy call. The association
between the enable_signal_spy call and the init_signal_spy call is based on specifying the same
src_object and dest_object arguments to both. The enable_signal_spy call can only affect
init_signal_spy calls that had their control_state argument set to "0" or "1".
By default this command uses a forward slash (/) as a path separator. You can change this
behavior with the SignalSpyPathSeparator variable in the modelsim.ini file.

Syntax
VHDL Syntax

enable_signal_spy(<src_object>, <dest_object>, <verbose>)

Verilog Syntax

$enable_signal_spy(<src_object>, <dest_object>, <verbose>)

SystemC Syntax

enable_signal_spy(<src_object>, <dest_object>, <verbose>)

Arguments

verbose
Optional integer. Possible values are 0 or 1. Specifies whether you want a message reported
in the transcript stating that an enable occurred and the simulation time that it occurred.
0 Does not report a message. Default.
1 Reports a message.

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enable_signal_spy

Returns
Nothing

Example
See Examples on page 384.

Related Topics
init_signal_spy, disable_signal_spy

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init_signal_driver

init_signal_driver
This reference section describes the following:
VHDL Procedure init_signal_driver()

Verilog Task $init_signal_driver()

SystemC Function init_signal_driver()

The init_signal_driver() call drives the value of a VHDL signal, Verilog net, or SystemC (called
the src_object) onto an existing VHDL signal or Verilog net (called the dest_object). This
allows you to drive signals or nets at any level of the design hierarchy from within a VHDL
architecture or Verilog or SystemC module(for example, a test bench).
Note
Destination SystemC signals are not supported.
The init_signal_driver procedure drives the value onto the destination signal just as if the
signals were directly connected in the HDL code. Any existing or subsequent drive or force of
the destination signal, by some other means, will be considered with the init_signal_driver
value in the resolution of the signal.
By default this command uses a forward slash (/) as a path separator. You can change this
behavior with the SignalSpyPathSeparator variable in the modelsim.ini file.

Syntax
VHDL Syntax

init_signal_driver(<src_object>, <dest_object>, <delay>, <delay_type>, <verbose>)

Verilog Syntax

$init_signal_driver(<src_object>, <dest_object>, <delay>, <delay_type>, <verbose>)

SystemC Syntax

init_signal_driver(<src_object>, <dest_object>, <delay>, <delay_type>, <verbose>)

Arguments

src_object
Required string. A full hierarchical path (or relative downward path with reference to the
calling block) to a VHDL signal, Verilog net, or SystemC signal. Use the path separator to
which your simulation is set (for example, "/" or "."). A full hierarchical path must begin
with a "/" or ".". The path must be contained within double quotes.

dest_object
Required string. A full hierarchical path (or relative downward path with reference to the
calling block) to an existing VHDL signal or Verilog net. Use the path separator to which

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init_signal_driver

your simulation is set (for example, "/" or "."). A full hierarchical path must begin with a "/"
or ".". The path must be contained within double quotes.

delay
Optional time value. Specifies a delay relative to the time at which the src_object changes.
The delay can be an inertial or transport delay. If no delay is specified, then a delay of zero
is assumed.

delay_type
Optional del_mode or integer. Specifies the type of delay that will be applied.
For the VHDL init_signal_driver Procedure, The value must be either:
mti_inertial (default)
mti_transport
For the Verilog $init_signal_driver Task, The value must be either:
0 inertial (default)
1 transport
For the SystemC init_signal_driver Function, The value must be either:
0 inertial (default)
1 transport

verbose
Optional integer. Possible values are 0 or 1. Specifies whether you want a message reported
in the Transcript stating that the src_object is driving the dest_object.
0 Does not report a message. Default.
1 Reports a message.

Returns
Nothing

Description
Call Only Once

The init_signal_driver procedure creates a persistent relationship between the source and
destination signals. Hence, you need to call init_signal_driver only once for a particular pair of
signals. Once init_signal_driver is called, any change on the source signal will be driven on the
destination signal until the end of the simulation.
For VHDL, you should place all init_signal_driver calls in a VHDL process and code this
VHDL process correctly so that it is executed only once. The VHDL process should not be
sensitive to any signals and should contain only init_signal_driver calls and a simple wait
statement. The process will execute once and then wait forever. See the example below.

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init_signal_driver

For Verilog, you should place all $init_signal_driver calls in a Verilog initial block. See the
example below.
Limitations

For the VHDL init_signal_driver procedure, when driving a Verilog net, the only
delay_type allowed is inertial. If you set the delay type to mti_transport, the setting will
be ignored and the delay type will be mti_inertial.

For the Verilog $init_signal_driver task, when driving a Verilog net, the only delay_type
allowed is inertial. If you set the delay type to 1 (transport), the setting will be ignored,
and the delay type will be inertial.

For the SystemC init_signal_driver function, when driving a Verilog net, the only
delay_type allowed is inertial. If you set the delay type to 1 (transport), the setting will
be ignored, and the delay type will be inertial.

Any delays that are set to a value less than the simulator resolution will be rounded to
the nearest resolution unit; no special warning will be issued.

Verilog memories (arrays of registers) are not supported.

Examples
This example creates a local clock (clk0) and connects it to two clocks within the design
hierarchy. The .../blk1/clk will match local clk0 and a message will be displayed. The .../blk2/clk
will match the local clk0 but be delayed by 100 ps. For the second call to work, the .../blk2/clk
must be a VHDL based signal, because if it were a Verilog net a 100 ps inertial delay would
consume the 40 ps clock period. Verilog nets are limited to only inertial delays and thus the
setting of 1 (transport delay) would be ignored.
`timescale 1 ps / 1 ps
module testbench;
reg clk0;
initial begin
clk0 = 1;
forever begin
#20 clk0 = ~clk0;
end
end
initial begin
$init_signal_driver("clk0", "/testbench/uut/blk1/clk", , , 1);
$init_signal_driver("clk0", "/testbench/uut/blk2/clk", 100, 1);
end
...
endmodule

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This example creates a local clock (clk0) and connects it to two clocks within the design
hierarchy. The .../blk1/clk will match local clk0 and a message will be displayed. The open
entries allow the default delay and delay_type while setting the verbose parameter to a 1. The
.../blk2/clk will match the local clk0 but be delayed by 100 ps.
library IEEE, modelsim_lib;
use IEEE.std_logic_1164.all;
use modelsim_lib.util.all;
entity testbench is
end;
architecture only of testbench is
signal clk0 : std_logic;
begin
gen_clk0 : process
begin
clk0 <= '1' after 0 ps, '0' after 20 ps;
wait for 40 ps;
end process gen_clk0;
drive_sig_process : process
begin
init_signal_driver("clk0", "/testbench/uut/blk1/clk", open, open, 1);
init_signal_driver("clk0", "/testbench/uut/blk2/clk", 100 ps,
mti_transport);
wait;
end process drive_sig_process;
...
end;

Related Topics
init_signal_spy, signal_force, signal_release

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init_signal_spy
This reference section describes the following:
VHDL Procedure init_signal_spy()

Verilog Task $init_signal_spy()

SystemC Function init_signal_spy()

The init_signal_spy() call mirrors the value of a VHDL signal, SystemVerilog or Verilog
register/net, or SystemC signal (called the src_object) onto an existing VHDL signal, Verilog
register, or SystemC signal (called the dest_object). This allows you to reference signals,
registers, or nets at any level of hierarchy from within a VHDL architecture or Verilog or
SystemC module (for example, a test bench).
The init_signal_spy call only sets the value onto the destination signal and does not drive or
force the value. Any existing or subsequent drive or force of the destination signal, by some
other means, will override the value that was set by init_signal_spy.
By default this command uses a forward slash (/) as a path separator. You can change this
behavior with the SignalSpyPathSeparator variable in the modelsim.ini file.

Syntax
VHDL Syntax

init_signal_spy(<src_object>, <dest_object>, <verbose>, <control_state>)

Verilog Syntax

$init_signal_spy(<src_object>, <dest_object>, <verbose>, <control_state>)

SystemC Syntax

init_signal_spy(<src_object>, <dest_object>, <verbose>, <control_state>)

Arguments

src_object
Required string. A full hierarchical path (or relative downward path with reference to the
calling block) to a VHDL signal or SystemVerilog or Verilog register/net. Use the path
separator to which your simulation is set (for example, "/" or "."). A full hierarchical path
must begin with a "/" or ".". The path must be contained within double quotes.

dest_object
Required string. A full hierarchical path (or relative downward path with reference to the
calling block) to an existing VHDL signal or Verilog register. Use the path separator to
which your simulation is set (for example, "/" or "."). A full hierarchical path must begin
with a "/" or ".". The path must be contained within double quotes.

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verbose
Optional integer. Possible values are 0 or 1. Specifies whether you want a message reported
in the Transcript stating that the src_objects value is mirrored onto the dest_object.
0 Does not report a message. Default.
1 Reports a message.

control_state
Optional integer. Possible values are -1, 0, or 1. Specifies whether or not you want the
ability to enable/disable mirroring of values and, if so, specifies the initial state.
-1 no ability to enable/disable and mirroring is enabled. (default)
0 turns on the ability to enable/disable and initially disables mirroring.
1 turns on the ability to enable/disable and initially enables mirroring.

Returns
Nothing

Description
Call only once

The init_signal_spy call creates a persistent relationship between the source and destination
signals. Hence, you need to call init_signal_spy once for a particular pair of signals. Once
init_signal_spy is called, any change on the source signal will mirror on the destination signal
until the end of the simulation unless the control_state is set.
However, you can place simultaneous read/write calls on the same signal using multiple
init_signal_spy calls, for example:
init_signal_spy ("/sc_top/sc_sig", "/top/hdl_INST/hdl_sig");
init_signal_spy ("/top/hdl_INST/hdl_sig", "/sc_top/sc_sig");

The control_state determines whether the mirroring of values can be enabled/disabled and what
the initial state is. Subsequent control of whether the mirroring of values is enabled/disabled is
handled by the enable_signal_spy and disable_signal_spy calls.
For VHDL procedures, you should place all init_signal_spy calls in a VHDL process and code
this VHDL process correctly so that it is executed only once. The VHDL process should not be
sensitive to any signals and should contain only init_signal_spy calls and a simple wait
statement. The process will execute once and then wait forever, which is the desired behavior.
See the example below.
For Verilog tasks, you should place all $init_signal_spy tasks in a Verilog initial block. See the
example below.
Limitations

When mirroring the value of a SystemVerilog or Verilog register/net onto a VHDL

signal, the VHDL signal must be of type bit, bit_vector, std_logic, or std_logic_vector.

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Verilog memories (arrays of registers) are not supported.

Examples
In this example, the value of /top/uut/inst1/sig1 is mirrored onto /top/top_sig1. A message is
issued to the transcript. The ability to control the mirroring of values is turned on and the
init_signal_spy is initially enabled.
The mirroring of values will be disabled when enable_sig transitions to a 0 and enable when
enable_sig transitions to a 1.
library ieee;
library modelsim_lib;
use ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
use modelsim_lib.util.all;
entity top is
end;
architecture only of top is
signal top_sig1 : std_logic;
begin
...
spy_process : process
begin
init_signal_spy("/top/uut/inst1/sig1","/top/top_sig1",1,1);
wait;
end process spy_process;
...
spy_enable_disable : process(enable_sig)
begin
if (enable_sig = '1') then
enable_signal_spy("/top/uut/inst1/sig1","/top/top_sig1",0);
elseif (enable_sig = '0')
disable_signal_spy("/top/uut/inst1/sig1","/top/top_sig1",0);
end if;
end process spy_enable_disable;
...
end;

In this example, the value of .top.uut.inst1.sig1 is mirrored onto .top.top_sig1. A message is

issued to the transcript. The ability to control the mirroring of values is turned on and the
init_signal_spy is initially enabled.
The mirroring of values will be disabled when enable_reg transitions to a 0 and enabled when
enable_reg transitions to a 1.
module top;
...
reg top_sig1;
reg enable_reg;
...
initial
begin
$init_signal_spy(".top.uut.inst1.sig1",".top.top_sig1",1,1);
end

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always @ (posedge enable_reg)
begin
$enable_signal_spy(".top.uut.inst1.sig1",".top.top_sig1",0);
end
always @ (negedge enable_reg)
begin
$disable_signal_spy(".top.uut.inst1.sig1",".top.top_sig1",0);
end
...
endmodule

Related Topics
init_signal_driver, signal_force, signal_release, enable_signal_spy, disable_signal_spy

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signal_force
This reference section describes the following:
VHDL Procedure signal_force()

Verilog Task $signal_force()

SystemC Function signal_force()

The signal_force() call forces the value specified onto an existing VHDL signal, Verilog
register/register bit/net, or SystemC signal (called the dest_object). This allows you to force
signals, registers, bits of registers, or nets at any level of the design hierarchy from within a
VHDL architecture or Verilog or SystemC module (for example, a test bench).
A signal_force works the same as the force command with the exception that you cannot issue a
repeating force. The force will remain on the signal until a signal_release, a force or noforce
command, or a subsequent signal_force is issued. Signal_force can be called concurrently or
sequentially in a process.
This command displays any signals using your radix setting (either the default, or as you
specify) unless you specify the radix in the value you set.
By default this command uses a forward slash (/) as a path separator. You can change this
behavior with the SignalSpyPathSeparator variable in the modelsim.ini file.

Syntax
VHDL Syntax

signal_force(<dest_object>, <value>, <rel_time>, <force_type>, <cancel_period>, <verbose>)

Verilog Syntax

$signal_force(<dest_object>, <value>, <rel_time>, <force_type>, <cancel_period>,

<verbose>)
SystemC Syntax

signal_force(<dest_object>, <value>, <rel_time>, <force_type>, <cancel_period>, <verbose>)

Arguments

dest_object
Required string. A full hierarchical path (or relative downward path with reference to the
calling block) to an existing VHDL signal, SystemVerilog or Verilog register/bit of a
register/net or SystemC signal. Use the path separator to which your simulation is set (for
example, "/" or "."). A full hierarchical path must begin with a "/" or ".". The path must be
contained within double quotes.

value
Required string. Specifies the value to which the dest_object is to be forced. The specified
value must be appropriate for the type.

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Where value can be:

a sequence of character literals or as a based number with a radix of 2, 8, 10 or 16.

For example, the following values are equivalent for a signal of type bit_vector (0 to
3):

1111 character literal sequence

Signal Spy
signal_release

signal_release
This reference section describes the following:
VHDL Procedure signal_release()

Verilog Task $signal_release()

SystemC Function signal_release()

The signal_release() call releases any force that was applied to an existing VHDL signal,
SystemVerilog or Verilog register/register bit/net, or SystemC signal (called the dest_object).
This allows you to release signals, registers, bits of registers, or nets at any level of the design
hierarchy from within a VHDL architecture or Verilog or SystemC module (for example, a test
bench).
A signal_release works the same as the noforce command. Signal_release can be called
concurrently or sequentially in a process.
By default this command uses a forward slash (/) as a path separator. You can change this
behavior with the SignalSpyPathSeparator variable in the modelsim.ini file.

Syntax
VHDL Syntax

signal_release(<dest_object>, <verbose>)
Verilog Syntax

$signal_release(<dest_object>, <verbose>)
SystemC Syntax

signal_release(<dest_object>, <verbose>)

Arguments

dest_object
Required string. A full hierarchical path (or relative downward path with reference to the
calling block) to an existing VHDL signal, SystemVerilog or Verilog register/net, or
SystemC signal. Use the path separator to which your simulation is set (for example, "/" or
"."). A full hierarchical path must begin with a "/" or ".". The path must be contained within
double quotes.

verbose
Optional integer. Possible values are 0 or 1. Specifies whether you want a message reported
in the Transcript stating that the signal is being released and the time of the release.
0 Does not report a message. Default.
1 Reports a message.

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Returns
Nothing

Examples
This example releases any forces on the signals data and clk when the signal release_flag is a
"1". Both calls will send a message to the transcript stating which signal was released and when.
library IEEE, modelsim_lib;
use IEEE.std_logic_1164.all;
use modelsim_lib.util.all;
entity testbench is
end;
architecture only of testbench is
signal release_flag : std_logic;
begin
stim_design : process
begin
...
wait until release_flag = '1';
signal_release("/testbench/dut/blk1/data", 1);
signal_release("/testbench/dut/blk1/clk", 1);
...
end process stim_design;
...
end;

This example releases any forces on the signals data and clk when the register release_flag
transitions to a "1". Both calls will send a message to the transcript stating which signal was
released and when.
module testbench;
reg release_flag;
always @(posedge release_flag) begin
$signal_release("/testbench/dut/blk1/data", 1);
$signal_release("/testbench/dut/blk1/clk", 1);
end
...
endmodule

Related Topics
init_signal_driver, init_signal_spy, signal_force

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Chapter 12
Generating Stimulus with Waveform Editor
The ModelSim Waveform Editor offers a simple method for creating design stimulus. You can
generate and edit waveforms in a graphical manner and then drive the simulation with those
waveforms.
Common tasks you can perform with the Waveform Editor:

Create waveforms using four predefined patterns: clock, random, repeater, and counter.
Refer to Accessing the Create Pattern Wizard.

Edit waveforms with numerous functions including inserting, deleting, and stretching
edges; mirroring, inverting, and copying waveform sections; and changing waveform
values on-the-fly. Refer to Editing Waveforms.

Drive the simulation directly from the created waveforms

Save created waveforms to four stimulus file formats: Tcl force format, extended VCD
format, Verilog module, or VHDL architecture. The HDL formats include code that
matches the created waveforms and can be used in test benches to drive a simulation.
Refer to Exporting Waveforms to a Stimulus File

The current version does not support the following:

Enumerated signals, records, multi-dimensional arrays, and memories

User-defined types
SystemC or SystemVerilog

Getting Started with the Waveform Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Accessing the Create Pattern Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Creating Waveforms with Wave Create Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Editing Waveforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Simulating Directly from Waveform Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exporting Waveforms to a Stimulus File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving Simulation with the Saved Stimulus File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Saving the Waveform Editor Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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397
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401
401
403
404

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Getting Started with the Waveform Editor

You can use Waveform Editor before or after loading a design. Regardless of which method
you choose, you will select design objects and use them as the basis for created waveforms.

Using Waveform Editor Prior to Loading a Design

Here are the basic steps for using waveform editor prior to loading a design.

Procedure
1. Right-click a design unit on the Library Window and select Create Wave.
Figure 12-1. Waveform Editor: Library Window

2. Edit the waveforms in the Wave window. See Editing Waveforms for more details.
3. Run the simulation (see Simulating Directly from Waveform Editor) or save the created
waveforms to a stimulus file (see Exporting Waveforms to a Stimulus File).

Results
After the first step, a Wave window opens and displays signal names with the orange Waveform
Editor icon (Figure 12-2).

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Getting Started with the Waveform Editor

Figure 12-2. Results of Create Wave Operation

Using Waveform Editor After Loading a Design

Here are the basic steps for using waveform editor after loading a design.

Procedure
1. Right-click an object in the Objects window and select Modify > Apply Wave.
Figure 12-3. Opening Waveform Editor from Objects Windows

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Accessing the Create Pattern Wizard

2. Use the Create Pattern wizard to create the waveforms (see Accessing the Create Pattern
Wizard).
3. Edit the waveforms as required (see Editing Waveforms).
4. Run the simulation (see Simulating Directly from Waveform Editor) or save the created
waveforms to a stimulus file (see Exporting Waveforms to a Stimulus File).

Accessing the Create Pattern Wizard

Waveform Editor includes a Create Pattern wizard that walks you through the process of
creating waveforms.

Procedure
1. Right-click an object in the Objects pane to open a popup menu.
2. Select Modify > Apply Wave from the popup menu.

Results
The Create Pattern Wizard opens to the inital dialog box shown in Figure 12-4. Note that the
Drive Type field is not present for input and output signals.
Figure 12-4. Create Pattern Wizard

In this dialog you specify the signal that the waveform will be based upon, the Drive Type (if
applicable), the start and end time for the waveform, and the pattern for the waveform.

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Creating Waveforms with Wave Create Command

The second dialog in the wizard lets you specify the appropriate attributes based on the pattern
you select. The table below shows the five available patterns and their attributes:
Table 12-1. Signal Attributes in Create Pattern Wizard
Pattern

Description

Clock

Specify an initial value, duty cycle, and clock period for

the waveform.

Constant

Specify a value.

Random

Generates different patterns depending upon the seed

value. Specify the type (normal or uniform), an initial
value, and a seed value. If you dont specify a seed value,
ModelSim uses a default value of 5.

Repeater

Specify an initial value and pattern that repeats. You can

also specify how many times the pattern repeats.

Counter

Specify start and end values, time period, type (Range,

Binary, Gray, One Hot, Zero Hot, Johnson), counter
direction, step count, and repeat number.

Creating Waveforms with Wave Create

Command
The wave create command gives you the ability to generate clock, constant, random, repeater,
and counter waveform patterns from the command line. You can then modify the waveform
interactively in the GUI and use the results to drive simulation. See the wave create command in
the Command Reference for correct syntax, argument descriptions, and examples.

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Editing Waveforms

This will open the Wave Edit toolbar. For details about the Wave Edit toolbar, please
refer to Wave Edit Toolbar.
Figure 12-5. Wave Edit Toolbar

3. Select an edge or a section of the waveform with your mouse. See Selecting Parts of the
Waveform for more details.
4. Select a command from the Wave > Wave Editor menu when the Wave window is
docked, from the Edit > Wave menu when the Wave window is undocked, or rightclick on the waveform and select a command from the Wave context menu.
The table below summarizes the editing commands that are available.
Table 12-2. Waveform Editing Commands

398

Operation

Description

Cut

Cut the selected portion of the waveform to the clipboard

Copy

Copy the selected portion of the waveform to the

clipboard

Paste

Paste the contents of the clipboard over the selected

section or at the active cursor location

Insert Pulse

Insert a pulse at the location of the active cursor

Delete Edge

Delete the edge at the active cursor

Invert

Invert the selected waveform section

Mirror

Mirror the selected waveform section

Value

Change the value of the selected portion of the waveform

Stretch Edge

Move an edge forward/backward by "stretching" the

waveform; see Stretching and Moving Edges for more
information

Move Edge

Move an edge forward/backward without changing other

edges; see Stretching and Moving Edges for more
information

Extend All
Waves

Extend all created waveforms by the specified amount or

to the specified simulation time; ModelSim cannot undo
this edit or any edits done prior to an extend command

Change Drive
Type

Change the drive type of the selected portion of the

waveform

Undo

Undo waveform edits (except changing drive type and

extending all waves)

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Generating Stimulus with Waveform Editor

Selecting Parts of the Waveform

Table 12-2. Waveform Editing Commands (cont.)

Operation

Description

Redo

Redo previously undone waveform edits

These commands can also be accessed via toolbar buttons. Refer to Wave Edit Toolbar for more
information.

Related Topics
wave edit
Wave Edit Toolbar

Selecting Parts of the Waveform

There are several methods for selecting edges or sections of a waveform. The table and graphic
below describe the various options.
Table 12-3. Selecting Parts of the Waveform
Action

Method

Select a waveform edge

Click on or just to the right of the

waveform edge

Select a section of the waveform

Click-and-drag the mouse pointer in the

waveform pane

Select a section of multiple

waveforms

Click-and-drag the mouse pointer while

holding the <Shift> key

Extend/contract the selection size Drag a cursor in the cursor pane

Extend/contract selection from
edge-to-edge

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Click Next Transition/Previous

Transition icons after selecting section

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Selecting Parts of the Waveform

Figure 12-6. Manipulating Waveforms with the Wave Edit Toolbar and Cursors

Selection and Zoom Percentage

You may find that you cannot select the exact range you want because the mouse moves more
than one unit of simulation time (for example, 228 ns to 230 ns). If this happens, zoom in on the
Wave display and you should be able to select the range you want.

Related Topics
Zooming the Wave Window Display

Auto Snapping of the Cursor

When you click just to the right of a waveform edge in the waveform pane, the cursor
automatically "snaps" to the nearest edge. This behavior is controlled by the Snap Distance
setting in the Wave window preferences dialog.

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Simulating Directly from Waveform Editor

Stretching and Moving Edges

There are mouse and keyboard shortcuts for moving and stretching edges.
Table 12-4. Wave Editor Mouse/Keyboard Shortcuts
Action

Mouse/keyboard shortcut

Stretch an edge

Hold the <Ctrl> key and drag the edge

Move an edge

Hold the <Ctrl> key and drag the edge

with the 2nd (middle) mouse button

Here are some points to keep in mind about stretching and moving edges:

If you stretch an edge forward, more waveform is inserted at the beginning of simulation
time.

If you stretch an edge backward, waveform is deleted at the beginning of simulation

time.

If you move an edge past another edge, either forward or backward, the edge you moved
past is deleted.

Simulating Directly from Waveform Editor

You need not save the waveforms in order to use them as stimulus for a simulation. Once you
have configured all the waveforms, you can run the simulation as normal by selecting
Simulate > Start Simulation in the Main window or using the vsim command. ModelSim
automatically uses the created waveforms as stimulus for the simulation. Furthermore, while
running the simulation you can continue editing the waveforms to modify the stimulus for the
part of the simulation yet to be completed.

Exporting Waveforms to a Stimulus File

Once you have created and edited the waveforms, you can save the data to a stimulus file that
can be used to drive a simulation now or at a later time.

Procedure
1. To save the waveform data, select File > Export > Waveform or use the wave export
command.

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Exporting Waveforms to a Stimulus File

Figure 12-7. Export Waveform Dialog

You can save the waveforms in four different formats:

Table 12-5. Formats for Saving Waveforms
Format

Description

Force format

Creates a Tcl script that contains force commands

necessary to recreate the waveforms; source the file
when loading the simulation as described under
Driving Simulation with the Saved Stimulus File

EVCD format

Creates an extended VCD file which can be reloaded

using the Import > EVCD File command or can be
used with the -vcdstim argument to vsim to simulate
the design

VHDL Testbench

Creates a VHDL architecture that you load as the toplevel design unit

Verilog Testbench

Creates a Verilog module that you load as the toplevel design unit

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Generating Stimulus with Waveform Editor

Driving Simulation with the Saved Stimulus File

Driving Simulation with the Saved Stimulus

File
The method for loading the stimulus file depends upon what type of format you saved. In each
of the following examples, assume that the top-level of your block is named "top" and you
saved the waveforms to a stimulus file named "mywaves" with the default extension.
Table 12-6. Examples for Loading a Stimulus File
Format

Loading example

Force format

vsim top -do mywaves.do

Extended VCD format1

vsim top -vcdstim mywaves.vcd

VHDL Testbench

vcom mywaves.vhd
vsim mywaves

Verilog Testbench

vlog mywaves.v
vsim mywaves

1. You can also use the Import > EVCD command from the Wave window. See below
for more details on working with EVCD files.

Signal Mapping and Importing EVCD Files

system level simulation. In fact, the design can have several models, each having its own SDF
file. In this case, specify an SDF file for each instance. For example,
vsim -sdfmax /system/u1=asic1.sdf -sdfmax /system/u2=asic2.sdf system

SDF Specification with the GUI

As an alternative to the command line options, you can specify SDF files in the Start
Simulation dialog box under the SDF tab.
Figure 13-1. SDF Tab in Start Simulation Dialog

You can access this dialog by invoking the simulator without any arguments or by selecting
Simulate > Start Simulation.
For Verilog designs, you can also specify SDF files by using the $sdf_annotate system task. See
$sdf_annotate for more details.

Errors and Warnings

Errors issued by the SDF annotator while loading the design prevent the simulation from
continuing, whereas warnings do not.

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Standard Delay Format (SDF) Timing Annotation

VHDL VITAL SDF

Use either the -sdfnoerror or the +nosdferror option with vsim to change SDF errors to
warnings so that the simulation can continue.

Use either the -sdfnowarn or the +nosdfwarn option with vsim to suppress warning
messages.

Another option is to use the SDF tab from the Start Simulation dialog box (Figure 13-1).
Select Disable SDF warnings (-sdfnowarn +nosdfwarn) to disable warnings, or select Reduce
SDF errors to warnings (-sdfnoerror) to change errors to warnings.
See Troubleshooting for more information on errors and warnings and how to avoid them.

VHDL VITAL SDF

VHDL SDF annotation works on VITAL cells only. The IEEE Std 1076.4-2000, IEEE
Standard for VITAL ASIC Modeling Specification describes how cells must be written to
support SDF annotation. Once again, the designer does not need to know the details of this
specification because the library provider has already written the VITAL cells and tools that
create compatible SDF files. However, the following summary may help you understand
simulator error messages.

SDF to VHDL Generic Matching

An SDF file contains delay and timing constraint data for cell instances in the design. The
annotator must locate the cell instances and the placeholders (VHDL generics) for the timing
data. Each type of SDF timing construct is mapped to the name of a generic as specified by the
VITAL modeling specification. The annotator locates the generic and updates it with the timing
value from the SDF file. It is an error if the annotator fails to find the cell instance or the named
generic.
The following are examples of SDF constructs and their associated generic names:
Table 13-1. Matching SDF to VHDL Generics
SDF construct

Matching VHDL generic name

(IOPATH a y (3))

tpd_a_y

(IOPATH (posedge clk) q (1) (2))

tpd_clk_q_posedge

(INTERCONNECT u1/y u2/a (5))

tipd_a

(SETUP d (posedge clk) (5))

tsetup_d_clk_noedge_posedge

(HOLD (negedge d) (posedge clk) (5))

thold_d_clk_negedge_posedge

(SETUPHOLD d clk (5) (5))

tsetup_d_clk & thold_d_clk

(WIDTH (COND (reset==1b0) clk) (5)) tpw_clk_reset_eq_0

(DEVICE y (1))

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Verilog SDF

1. c1 is the instance name of the module containing the previous generic(tdevice_c1_y).

The SDF statement CONDELSE, when targeted for Vital cells, is annotated to a tpd generic of
the form tpd_<inputPort>_<outputPort>.

Resolving Errors
If the simulator finds the cell instance but not the generic, an error message is issued.
For example,
** Error (vsim-SDF-3240) myasic.sdf(18):
Instance /testbench/dut/u1 does not have a generic named tpd_a_y

In this case, make sure that the design is using the appropriate VITAL library cells. If it is, then
there is probably a mismatch between the SDF and the VITAL cells. You need to find the cell
instance and compare its generic names to those expected by the annotator. Look in the VHDL
source files provided by the cell library vendor.
If none of the generic names look like VITAL timing generic names, then perhaps the VITAL
library cells are not being used. If the generic names do look like VITAL timing generic names
but dont match the names expected by the annotator, then there are several possibilities:

The vendors tools are not conforming to the VITAL specification.

The vendors library and SDF were developed for the older VITAL 2.2b specification.
This version uses different name mapping rules. In this case, invoke vsim with the
-vital2.2b option:

The SDF file was accidentally applied to the wrong instance. In this case, the simulator
also issues other error messages indicating that cell instances in the SDF could not be
located in the design.

vsim -vital2.2b -sdfmax /testbench/u1=myasic.sdf testbench

Related Topics
For additional VITAL specification information, see VITAL Usage and Compliance. For more
information on resolving errors see Troubleshooting.

Verilog SDF
Verilog designs can be annotated using either the simulator command line options or the
$sdf_annotate system task (also commonly used in other Verilog simulators). The command
line options annotate the design immediately after it is loaded, but before any simulation events
take place. The $sdf_annotate task annotates the design at the time it is called in the Verilog
source code. This provides more flexibility than the command line options.

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$sdf_annotate

$sdf_annotate
The $sdf_annotate task annotates the design when it is called in the Verilog source code.

Syntax
$sdf_annotate
(["<sdffile>"], [<instance>], ["<config_file>"], ["<log_file>"], ["<mtm_spec>"],
["<scale_factor>"], ["<scale_type>"]);

Arguments

"<sdffile>"
String that specifies the SDF file. Required.

<instance>
Hierarchical name of the instance to be annotated. Optional. Defaults to the instance where
the $sdf_annotate call is made.

"<config_file>"
String that specifies the configuration file. Optional. Currently not supported, this argument
is ignored.

"<log_file>"
String that specifies the logfile. Optional. Currently not supported, this argument is ignored.

"<mtm_spec>"
String that specifies the delay selection. Optional. The allowed strings are "minimum",
"typical", "maximum", and "tool_control". Case is ignored and the default is "tool_control".
The "tool_control" argument means to use the delay specified on the command line by
+mindelays, +typdelays, or +maxdelays (defaults to +typdelays).

"<scale_factor>"
String that specifies delay scaling factors. Optional. The format is
"<min_mult>:<typ_mult>:<max_mult>". Each multiplier is a real number that is used to
scale the corresponding delay in the SDF file.

"<scale_type>"
String that overrides the <mtm_spec> delay selection. Optional. The <mtm_spec> delay
selection is always used to select the delay scaling factor, but if a <scale_type> is specified,
then it will determine the min/typ/max selection from the SDF file. The allowed strings are
"from_min", "from_minimum", "from_typ", "from_typical", "from_max",
"from_maximum", and "from_mtm". Case is ignored, and the default is "from_mtm", which
means to use the <mtm_spec> value.

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$sdf_annotate

Examples
Optional arguments can be omitted by using commas or by leaving them out if they are at the
end of the argument list. For example, to specify only the SDF file and the instance to which it
applies:
$sdf_annotate("myasic.sdf", testbench.u1);

To also specify maximum delay values:

$sdf_annotate("myasic.sdf", testbench.u1, , , "maximum");

SDF to Verilog Construct Matching

The annotator matches SDF constructs to corresponding Verilog constructs in the cells.
Usually, the cells contain path delays and timing checks within specify blocks. For each SDF
construct, the annotator locates the cell instance and updates each specify path delay or timing
check that matches. An SDF construct can have multiple matches, in which case each matching
specify statement is updated with the SDF timing value.
SDF constructs are matched to Verilog constructs as follows.

IOPATH is matched to specify path delays or primitives:

Table 13-2. Matching SDF IOPATH to Verilog
SDF

Verilog

(IOPATH (posedge clk) q (3) (4))

(posedge clk => q) = 0;

(IOPATH a y (3) (4))

buf u1 (y, a);

The IOPATH construct usually annotates path delays. If ModelSim cant locate a
corresponding specify path delay, it returns an error unless you use the
+sdf_iopath_to_prim_ok argument to vsim. If you specify that argument and the module
contains no path delays, then all primitives that drive the specified output port are
annotated.

INTERCONNECT and PORT are matched to input ports:

Table 13-3. Matching SDF INTERCONNECT and PORT to Verilog
SDF

Verilog

(INTERCONNECT u1.y u2.a (5))

input a;

(PORT u2.a (5))

inout a;

Both of these constructs identify a module input or inout port and create an internal net
that is a delayed version of the port. This is called a Module Input Port Delay (MIPD).

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All primitives, specify path delays, and specify timing checks connected to the original
port are reconnected to the new MIPD net.

PATHPULSE and GLOBALPATHPULSE are matched to specify path delays:

Table 13-4. Matching SDF PATHPULSE and GLOBALPATHPULSE to Verilog

SDF

Verilog

(PATHPULSE a y (5) (10))

(a => y) = 0;

(GLOBALPATHPULSE a y (30) (60))

(a => y) = 0;

If the input and output ports are omitted in the SDF, then all path delays are matched in
the cell.

DEVICE is matched to primitives or specify path delays:

Table 13-5. Matching SDF DEVICE to Verilog
SDF

Verilog

(DEVICE y (5))

and u1(y, a, b);

(DEVICE y (5))

(a => y) = 0; (b => y) = 0;

If the SDF cell instance is a primitive instance, then that primitives delay is annotated.
If it is a module instance, then all specify path delays are annotated that drive the output
port specified in the DEVICE construct (all path delays are annotated if the output port
is omitted). If the module contains no path delays, then all primitives that drive the
specified output port are annotated (or all primitives that drive any output port if the
output port is omitted).

SETUP is matched to $setup and $setuphold:

Table 13-6. Matching SDF SETUP to Verilog

SDF

Verilog

(SETUP d (posedge clk) (5))

$setup(d, posedge clk, 0);

(SETUP d (posedge clk) (5))

$setuphold(posedge clk, d, 0, 0);

HOLD is matched to $hold and $setuphold:

Table 13-7. Matching SDF HOLD to Verilog
SDF

Verilog

(HOLD d (posedge clk) (5))

$hold(posedge clk, d, 0);

(HOLD d (posedge clk) (5))

$setuphold(posedge clk, d, 0, 0);

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SETUPHOLD is matched to $setup, $hold, and $setuphold:

Table 13-8. Matching SDF SETUPHOLD to Verilog

SDF

Verilog

(SETUPHOLD d (posedge clk) (5) (5))

$setup(d, posedge clk, 0);

(SETUPHOLD d (posedge clk) (5) (5))

$hold(posedge clk, d, 0);

(SETUPHOLD d (posedge clk) (5) (5))

(RECREM (negedge reset) (posedge clk)

(5) (5))

$recovery(negedge reset, posedge clk, 0);

(RECREM (negedge reset) (posedge clk)

(5) (5))

$removal(negedge reset, posedge clk, 0);

(RECREM (negedge reset) (posedge clk)

(5) (5))

$recrem(negedge reset, posedge clk, 0);

SKEW is matched to $skew:

Table 13-12. Matching SDF SKEW to Verilog

412

SDF

Verilog

(SKEW (posedge clk1) (posedge clk2) (5))

$skew(posedge clk1, posedge clk2, 0);

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

(NOCHANGE (negedge write) addr (5) (5))

$nochange(negedge write, addr, 0, 0);

To see complete mappings of SDF and Verilog constructs, please consult IEEE Std 1364-2005,
Chapter 16 - Back Annotation Using the Standard Delay Format (SDF).

Retain Delay Behavior

The simulator processes RETAIN delays in SDF files as described in this section.
A RETAIN delay can appear as:
(IOPATH addr[13:0] dout[7:0]
(RETAIN (rval1) (rval2) (rval3))
(dval1) (dval2) ...
)

// RETAIN delays
// IOPATH delays

Because rval2 and rval 3 on the RETAIN line are optional, the simulator makes the following
assumptions:

Only rval1 is specified rval1 is used as the value of rval2 and rval3.
rval1 and rval2 are specified the smaller of rval1 and rval2 is used as the value of
rval3.

During simulation, if any rval that would apply is larger than or equal to the applicable path
delay, then RETAIN delay is not applied.
You can specify that RETAIN delays should not be processed by using +vlog_retain_off on the
vsim command line.

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$sdf_annotate

Retain delays apply to an IOPATH for any transition on the input of the PATH unless the
IOPATH specifies a particular edge for the input of the IOPATH. This means that for an
IOPATH such as RCLK -> DOUT, RETAIN delay should apply for a negedge on RCLK even
though a Verilog model is coded only to change DOUT in response to a posedge of RCLK. If
(posedge RCLK) -> DOUT is specified in the SDF then an associated RETAIN delay applies
only for posedge RCLK. If a path is conditioned, then RETAIN delays do not apply if a delay
path is not enabled.
Table 13-16 defines which delay is used depending on the transitions:
Table 13-16. RETAIN Delay Usage (default)
Path
Retain
Retain Delay
Transition Transition Used

Path Delay
Used

0->1

0->x->1

rval1 (0->x)

0->1

1->0

1->x->0

rval2 (1->x)

1->0

z->0

z->x->0

rval3 (z->x)

z->0

z->1

z->x->1

rval3 (z->x)

z->1

0->z

0->x->z

rval1 (0->x)

0->z

1->z

1->x->z

rval2 (1->x)

1->z

x->0

x->x->0

n/a

x->0

x->1

x->x->1

n/a

x->1

x->z

x->x->z

n/a

x->z

0->x

0->x->x

rval1 (0->x)

0->x

1->x

1->x->x

rval2 (1->x)

1->x

z->x

z->x->x

rval3 (z->x)

z->x

Note

use PATH delay, no RETAIN

delay is applicable

use RETAIN delay for PATH

delay if it is smaller

You can specify that X insertion on outputs that do not change except when the causal inputs
change by using +vlog_retain_same2same_on on the vsim command line. An example is when
CLK changes but bit DOUT[0] does not change from its current value of 0, but you want it to go
through the transition 0 -> X -> 0.
Table 13-17. RETAIN Delay Usage (with +vlog_retain_same2same_on)
Path
Retain
Retain Delay
Transition Transition Used

Path Delay
Used

0->0

0->x->0

rval1 (0->x)

1->0

1->1

1->x->1

rval2 (1->x)

0->1

z->z

z->x->z

rval3 (z->x)

max(0->z,1->z)

x->x

x->x->x

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Optional Edge Specifications

Timing check ports and path delay input ports can have optional edge specifications.
The annotator uses the following rules to match edges:

A match occurs if the SDF port does not have an edge.

A match occurs if the specify port does not have an edge.
A match occurs if the SDF port edge is identical to the specify port edge.
A match occurs if explicit edge transitions in the specify port edge overlap with the SDF
port edge.

These rules allow SDF annotation to take place even if there is a difference between the number
of edge-specific constructs in the SDF file and the Verilog specify block. For example, the
Verilog specify block may contain separate setup timing checks for a falling and rising edge on
data with respect to clock, while the SDF file may contain only a single setup check for both
edges:
Table 13-18. Matching Verilog Timing Checks to SDF SETUP
SDF

Verilog

(SETUP data (posedge clock) (5))

$setup(posedge data, posedge clk, 0);

(SETUP data (posedge clock) (5))

$setup(negedge data, posedge clk, 0);

In this case, the cell accommodates more accurate data than can be supplied by the tool that
created the SDF file, and both timing checks correctly receive the same value.
Likewise, the SDF file may contain more accurate data than the model can accommodate.
Table 13-19. SDF Data May Be More Accurate Than Model
SDF

Verilog

(SETUP (posedge data) (posedge clock) (4)) $setup(data, posedge clk, 0);
(SETUP (negedge data) (posedge clock) (6)) $setup(data, posedge clk, 0);
In this case, both SDF constructs are matched and the timing check receives the value from the
last one encountered.
Timing check edge specifiers can also use explicit edge transitions instead of posedge and
negedge. However, the SDF file is limited to posedge and negedge. For example,
Table 13-20. Matching Explicit Verilog Edge Transitions to Verilog
SDF

Verilog

(SETUP data (posedge clock) (5))

$setup(data, edge[01, 0x] clk, 0);

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The explicit edge specifiers are 01, 0x, 10, 1x, x0, and x1. The set of [01, 0x, x1] is equivalent to
posedge, while the set of [10, 1x, x0] is equivalent to negedge. A match occurs if any of the
explicit edges in the specify port match any of the explicit edges implied by the SDF port.

Optional Conditions
Timing check ports and path delays can have optional conditions.
The annotator uses the following rules to match conditions:

A match occurs if the SDF does not have a condition.

A match occurs for a path delay if the SDF condition is lexically identical to the specify
condition.

A match occurs for a timing check if the SDF port condition is semantically equivalent
to the specify port condition.

Timing check conditions are limited to very simple conditions, therefore the annotator can
match the expressions based on semantics. For example,
Table 13-21. SDF Timing Check Conditions
SDF

Verilog

(SETUP data (COND (reset!=1)

(posedge clock)) (5))

$setup(data, posedge clk &&&

(reset==0),0);

The conditions are semantically equivalent and a match occurs. In contrast, path delay
conditions may be complicated and semantically equivalent conditions may not match. For
example,
Table 13-22. SDF Path Delay Conditions
SDF

Verilog

(COND (r1 || r2) (IOPATH clk q (5)))

if (r1 || r2) (clk => q) = 5; // matches

(COND (r1 || r2) (IOPATH clk q (5)))

if (r2 || r1) (clk => q) = 5; // does not match

The annotator does not match the second condition above because the order of r1 and r2 are
reversed.

Rounded Timing Values

The SDF TIMESCALE construct specifies time units of values in the SDF file. The annotator
rounds timing values from the SDF file to the time precision of the module that is annotated. For
example, if the SDF TIMESCALE is 1ns and a value of .016 is annotated to a path delay in a
module having a time precision of 10ps (from the timescale directive), then the path delay

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SDF for Mixed VHDL and Verilog Designs

receives a value of 20ps. The SDF value of 16ps is rounded to 20ps. Interconnect delays are
rounded to the time precision of the module that contains the annotated MIPD.

SDF for Mixed VHDL and Verilog Designs

Annotation of a mixed VHDL and Verilog design is very flexible. VHDL VITAL cells and
Verilog cells can be annotated from the same SDF file. This flexibility is available only by
using the simulators SDF command line options. The Verilog $sdf_annotate system task can
annotate Verilog cells only.

Related Topics
See the vsim command for more information on SDF command line options.

Interconnect Delays
An interconnect delay represents the delay from the output of one device to the input of another.
ModelSim can model single interconnect delays or multisource interconnect delays for Verilog,
VHDL/VITAL, or mixed designs.
Timing checks are performed on the interconnect delayed versions of input ports. This may
result in misleading timing constraint violations, because the ports may satisfy the constraint
while the delayed versions may not. If the simulator seems to report incorrect violations, be sure
to account for the effect of interconnect delays.

Related Topics
See the vsim command for more information on the relevant command line arguments.

Disabling Timing Checks

ModelSim offers a number of options for disabling timing checks on a global basis.
The table below provides a summary of those options. See the command and argument
descriptions in the Reference Manual for more details.
Table 13-23. Disabling Timing Checks
Command and argument

Effect

vlog +notimingchecks

disables timing check system tasks for all instances in the

specified Verilog design

vlog +nospecify

disables specify path delays and timing checks for all

instances in the specified Verilog design

vsim +no_neg_tchk

disables negative timing check limits by setting them to

zero for all instances in the specified design

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Table 13-23. Disabling Timing Checks (cont.)

Command and argument

Effect

vsim +no_notifier

disables the toggling of the notifier register argument of

the timing check system tasks for all instances in the
specified design

vsim +no_tchk_msg

disables error messages issued by timing check system

tasks when timing check violations occur for all instances
in the specified design

vsim +notimingchecks

disables Verilog and VITAL timing checks for all

instances in the specified design; sets generic
TimingChecksOn to FALSE for all VHDL Vital models
with the Vital_level0 or Vital_level1 attribute. Setting this
generic to FALSE disables the actual calls to the timing
checks along with anything else that is present in the
model's timing check block.

vsim +nospecify

disables specify path delays and timing checks for all

instances in the specified design

Troubleshooting
ModelSim provides a number of tools for troubleshooting designs that use SDF files.

Specifying the Wrong Instance

By far, the most common mistake in SDF annotation is to specify the wrong instance to the
simulators SDF options. The most common case is to leave off the instance altogether, which is
the same as selecting the top-level design unit. This is generally wrong because the instance
paths in the SDF are relative to the ASIC or FPGA model, which is usually instantiated under a
top-level test bench.
Simple examples for both a VHDL and a Verilog test bench are provided below. For simplicity,
these test bench examples do nothing more than instantiate a model that has no ports.

VHDL Test Bench

entity testbench is end;
architecture only of testbench is
component myasic
end component;
begin
dut : myasic;
end;

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Verilog Test Bench

module testbench;
myasic dut();
endmodule

The name of the model is myasic and the instance label is dut. For either test bench, an
appropriate simulator invocation might be:
vsim -sdfmax /testbench/dut=myasic.sdf testbench

Optionally, you can leave off the name of the top-level:

vsim -sdfmax /dut=myasic.sdf testbench

The important thing is to select the instance for which the SDF is intended. If the model is deep
within the design hierarchy, an easy way to find the instance name is to first invoke the
simulator without SDF options, view the structure pane, navigate to the model instance, select
it, and enter the environment command. This command displays the instance name that should
be used in the SDF command line option.

Related Topics
See Instance Specification for an example.

Matching a Single Timing Check

SDF annotation of RECREM or SETUPHOLD matching only a single setup, hold, recovery, or
removal timing check will result in a Warning message.

Mistaking a Component or Module Name for an

Instance Label
Another common error is to specify the component or module name rather than the instance
label.
For example, the following invocation is wrong for the above test benches:
vsim -sdfmax /testbench/myasic=myasic.sdf testbench

This results in the following error message:

** Error (vsim-SDF-3250) myasic.sdf(0):
Failed to find INSTANCE /testbench/myasic.

Forgetting to Specify the Instance

If you leave off the instance altogether, then the simulator issues a message for each instance
path in the SDF that is not found in the design.
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For example,
vsim -sdfmax myasic.sdf testbench

Results in:
** Error (vsim-SDF-3250) myasic.sdf(0):
Failed to find INSTANCE /testbench/u1
** Error (vsim-SDF-3250) myasic.sdf(0):
Failed to find INSTANCE /testbench/u2
** Error (vsim-SDF-3250) myasic.sdf(0):
Failed to find INSTANCE /testbench/u3
** Error (vsim-SDF-3250) myasic.sdf(0):
Failed to find INSTANCE /testbench/u4
** Error (vsim-SDF-3250) myasic.sdf(0):
Failed to find INSTANCE /testbench/u5
** Warning (vsim-SDF-3432) myasic.sdf:
This file is probably applied to the wrong instance.
** Warning (vsim-SDF-3432) myasic.sdf:
Ignoring subsequent missing instances from this file.

After annotation is done, the simulator issues a summary of how many instances were not found
and possibly a suggestion for a qualifying instance:
** Warning (vsim-SDF-3440) myasic.sdf:
Failed to find any of the 358 instances from this file.
** Warning (vsim-SDF-3442) myasic.sdf:
Try instance /testbench/dut. It contains all instance paths from this
file.

The simulator recommends an instance only if the file was applied to the top-level and a
qualifying instance is found one level down.
Also see Resolving Errors for specific VHDL VITAL SDF troubleshooting.

Reporting Unannotated Specify Path Objects

ModelSim allows you to create a report about unannotated or partially-annotated specify path
objects, path delays and timing checks, to better understand a design that uses SDF files.
Unannotated specify objects occur either because the SDF file did not contain any SDF
statements targeting that object or (in a rather unusual situation) because all the values in the
statement were null, as signified by a pair of empty parentheses ().
The partial annotation of specify objects occurs when the SDF statements contain some null
values.

Procedure
1. Add the -sdfreport=<filename> argument to your vsim command line.

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Results
The Unannotated Specify Objects Report contains a list of objects that fit into any of the
following three categories:

Unannotated specify paths (UASP).

Incompletely-annotated specify path transition edges (IATE). This indicates that certain
edges of a specify path, such as 0->1, 1->Z, and so on, were incompletely annotated.

Unannotated timing checks (UATC). This indicates either a single-value timing check
that was not annotated or part of a $setuphold or $recrem that was not annotated.

The header of the report contains a full description of the syntax.

Examples
This example report shows the format if you have full design visibility (vopt with the +acc
argument):
Unannotated Specify Objects Report:
===================================
(UASP) = Unannotated specify path.
(UATC) = Unannotated timing check.
(IATE) = Incompltely annotated specify path transition edges.
------------------------------------------------------------/test1/u1: ( [mymod(fast):test.v(4)]):
17: (CK => Q1) = (1000) : (UASP)
18: (S => Q1) = (102, 1000) : (IATE:10)
19: (SI => Q1) = (103, 104, 1000) : (IATE:tz)
20: (CK => Q2) = (1000, 201) : (IATE:01)
21: (S => Q2) = (1000, 1000, 202) : (IATE:01,10)
22: (SI => Q2) = (203, 1000, 204) : (IATE:10)
30: SETUP: (posedge CK &&& Sn1), (D &&& CKe0): 2000 : (UATC)
30: HOLD: (D &&& CKe0), (posedge CK &&& Sn1): 3000 : (UATC)
36: HOLD: (posedge CK &&& Sn0), (SI &&& Sn0): 1000 : (UATC)
37: SETUP: (posedge CK &&& Sn0), (SI &&& CKe0): 6000 : (IATC)
38: HOLD: (posedge CK), (SI): 9000 : (IATC)
Found 1 instances with unannotated or incompletely annotated specify block objects.

This example report shows the format if you fully optimized the design (lines are abbreviated
for readability):
Unannotated Specify Objects Report:
===================================
(UASP) = Unannotated specify path.
(UATC) = Unannotated timing check.
(IATE) = Incompltely annotated specify path transition edges.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------/test1/u1: ( [mymod(fast):test.v(4)]):
(CK => Q1) = (1000, 1000, 1000, 1000, 1000, ... 1000) : (UASP)
(S => Q1) = (102, 1000, 102, 102, 1000, ... 102, 1000) : (IATE:10,1Z,Z0,1X,X0,ZX)
(SI => Q1) = (103, 104, 1000, 103, 1000, ... 104, 1000, 103) : (IATE:0Z,1Z,0X,1X,XZ)
(CK => Q2) = (1000, 201, 1000, 1000, ... 201, 201, 201, 1000) : (IATE:01,0Z,Z1,0X,X1,ZX)
(S => Q2) = (1000, ... 1000, 1000, 202, 1000) : (IATE:01,10,Z1,Z0,0X,X1,1X,X0,ZX)
(SI => Q2) = (203, 1000, 204, 203, 204, ... 1000, 204, 1000) : (IATE:10,Z0,1X,X0,ZX)
HOLD: (posedge CK), (SI): 9000 : (UATC)
SETUP: (posedge CK &&& Sn0), (SI &&& CKe0): 6000 : (UATC)
SETUP: (posedge CK &&& Sn1), (D &&& CKe0): 2000 : (UATC)
HOLD: (D &&& CKe0), (posedge CK &&& Sn1): 3000 : (UATC)
HOLD: (posedge CK &&& Sn0), (SI &&& Sn0): 1000 : (UATC)
Found 1 instances with unannotated or incompletely annotated specify block objects.

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Troubleshooting

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Chapter 14
Value Change Dump (VCD) Files
The Value Change Dump (VCD) file format is supported for use by ModelSim and is specified
in the IEEE 1364-2005 standard. A VCD file is an ASCII file that contains information about
value changes on selected variables in the design stored by VCD system tasks. This includes
header information, variable definitions, and variable value changes.
VCD is in common use for Verilog designs and is controlled by VCD system task calls in the
Verilog source code. ModelSim provides equivalent commands for these system tasks and
extends VCD support to SystemC and VHDL designs. You can use these ModelSim VCD
commands on Verilog, VHDL, SystemC, or mixed designs.
Extended VCD supports Verilog and VHDL ports in a mixed-language design containing
SystemC. However, extended VCD does not support SystemC ports in a mixed-language
design.
If you need vendor-specific ASIC design-flow documentation that incorporates VCD, contact
your ASIC vendor.

Creating a VCD File

ModelSim provides two general methods for creating a VCD file.

Four-State VCD File produces a four-state VCD file.

Extended VCD File produces an extended VCD (EVCD) file.

Both methods capture port driver changes unless you filter them out with optional
command-line arguments.

Four-State VCD File

This procedure produces a four-state VCD file with variable changes in 0, 1, x, and z with no
strength information.

Procedure
1. Compile and load the design. For example:
% cd <installDir>/examples/tutorials/verilog/basicSimulation
% vlib work
% vlog counter.v tcounter.v
% vsim test_counter

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Creating a VCD File

2. With the design loaded, specify the VCD file name with the vcd file command and add
objects to the file with the vcd add command as follows:
VSIM 1> vcd file myvcdfile.vcd
VSIM 2> vcd add /test_counter/dut/*
VSIM 3> run
VSIM 4> quit -f

Results
Upon quitting the simulation, there will be a VCD file in the working directory.

Extended VCD File

This procedure produces an extended VCD (EVCD) file with variable changes in all states and
strength information and port driver data.

Procedure
1. Compile and load the design. For example:
% cd <installDir>/examples/tutorials/verilog/basicSimulation
% vlib work
% vlog counter.v tcounter.v
% vsim test_counter

2. With the design loaded, specify the VCD file name and objects to add with the
vcd dumpports command:
VSIM 1> vcd dumpports -file myvcdfile.vcd /test_counter/dut/*
VSIM 3> run
VSIM 4> quit -f

Results
Upon quitting the simulation, there will be an extended VCD file called myvcdfile.vcd in the
working directory.
Note
There is an internal limit to the number of ports that can be listed with the vcd dumpports
command. If that limit is reached, use the vcd add command with the -dumpports option
to name additional ports.

VCD Case Sensitivity

Verilog designs are case-sensitive, so ModelSim maintains case when it produces a VCD file.
However, VHDL is not case-sensitive, so ModelSim converts all signal names to lower case
when it produces a VCD file.

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Using Extended VCD as Stimulus

You can use an extended VCD file as stimulus to re-simulate your design.
There are two ways to do this:
1. Simulate the top level of a design unit with the input values from an extended VCD file.
2. Specify one or more instances in a design to be replaced with the output values from the
associated VCD file.

Simulating with Input Values from a VCD File

When simulating with inputs from an extended VCD file, you can simulate only one design unit
at a time. In other words, you can apply the VCD file inputs only to the top level of the design
unit for which you captured port data.

Procedure
1. Create a VCD file for a single design unit using the vcd dumpports command.
2. Resimulate the single design unit using the -vcdstim argument with the vsim command.
Note that -vcdstim works only with VCD files that were created by a ModelSim
simulation.

Examples
Verilog Counter

First, create the VCD file for the single instance using vcd dumpports:
% cd <installDir>/examples/tutorials/verilog/basicSimulation
% vlib work
% vlog counter.v tcounter.v
% vsim test_counter +dumpports+nocollapse
VSIM 1> vcd dumpports -file counter.vcd /test_counter/dut/*
VSIM 2> run
VSIM 3> quit -f

Next, rerun the counter without the test bench, using the -vcdstim argument:
% vsim counter_replay -vcdstim counter.vcd
VSIM 1> add wave /*
VSIM 2> run 200

VHDL Adder

First, create the VCD file using vcd dumpports:

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Using Extended VCD as Stimulus
% cd <installDir>/examples/vcd
% vlib work
% vcom gates.vhd adder.vhd stimulus.vhd
% vsim testbench2 +dumpports+nocollapse
VSIM 1> vcd dumpports -file addern.vcd /testbench2/uut/*
VSIM 2> run 1000
VSIM 3> quit -f

Next, rerun the adder without the test bench, using the -vcdstim argument:
% vsim -vcdstim addern.vcd addern -gn=8 -do "add wave /*; run 1000"

Mixed-HDL Design

First, create three VCD files, one for each module:

% cd <installDir>/examples/tutorials/mixed/projects
% vlib work
% vlog cache.v memory.v proc.v
% vcom util.vhd set.vhd top.vhd
% vsim top +dumpports+nocollapse
VSIM 1> vcd dumpports -file proc.vcd /top/p/*
VSIM 2> vcd dumpports -file cache.vcd /top/c/*
VSIM 3> vcd dumpports -file memory.vcd /top/m/*
VSIM 4> run 1000
VSIM 5> quit -f

Next, rerun each module separately, using the captured VCD stimulus:
% vsim -vcdstim proc.vcd proc -do "add wave /*; run 1000"
VSIM 1> quit -f
% vsim -vcdstim cache.vcd cache -do "add wave /*; run 1000"
VSIM 1> quit -f
% vsim -vcdstim memory.vcd memory -do "add wave /*; run 1000"
VSIM 1> quit -f

Note
When using VCD files as stimulus, the VCD file format does not support recording of
delta delay changes delta delays are not captured and any delta delay ordering of signal
changes is lost. Designs relying on this ordering may produce unexpected results.

Replacing Instances with Output Values from a

VCD File
Replacing instances with output values from a VCD file lets you simulate without the instances
source or even the compiled object.

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Procedure
1. Create VCD files for one or more instances in your design using the vcd dumpports
command. If necessary, use the -vcdstim switch to handle port order problems (see
below).
2. Re-simulate your design using the -vcdstim <instance>=<filename> argument to vsim.
Note that this works only with VCD files that were created by a ModelSim simulation.

Examples
Replacing Instances

In the following example, the three instances /top/p, /top/c, and /top/m are replaced in
simulation by the output values found in the corresponding VCD files.
First, create VCD files for all instances you want to replace:
vcd dumpports -vcdstim -file proc.vcd /top/p/*
vcd dumpports -vcdstim -file cache.vcd /top/c/*
vcd dumpports -vcdstim -file memory.vcd /top/m/*
run 1000

Next, simulate your design and map the instances to the VCD files you created:
vsim top -vcdstim /top/p=proc.vcd -vcdstim /top/c=cache.vcd
-vcdstim /top/m=memory.vcd
quit -f

Port Order Issues

The -vcdstim argument for the vcd dumpports command ensures the order that port names
appear in the VCD file matches the order that they are declared in the instances module or
entity declaration.
Consider the following module declaration:
module proc(clk, addr, data, rw, strb, rdy);
input clk, rdy;
output addr, rw, strb;
inout data;

The order of the ports in the module line (clk, addr, data, ...) does not match the order of those
ports in the input, output, and inout lines (clk, rdy, addr, ...). In this case the -vcdstim argument
to the vcd dumpports command needs to be used.

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VCD Commands and VCD Tasks

In cases where the order is the same, you do not need to use the -vcdstim argument to vcd
dumpports. Also, module declarations of the form:
module proc(input clk, output addr, inout data, ...)

do not require use of the argument.

VCD Commands and VCD Tasks

ModelSim VCD commands map to IEEE Std 1364 VCD system tasks and appear in the VCD
file along with the results of those commands. The table below maps the VCD commands to
their associated tasks.
Table 14-1. VCD Commands and SystemTasks
VCD commands

VCD system tasks

vcd add

$dumpvars

vcd checkpoint

$dumpall

vcd file

$dumpfile

vcd flush

$dumpflush

vcd limit

$dumplimit

vcd off

$dumpoff

vcd on

$dumpon

ModelSim also supports extended VCD (dumpports system tasks). The table below maps the
VCD dumpports commands to their associated tasks.
Table 14-2. VCD Dumpport Commands and System Tasks
VCD dumpports commands

VCD system tasks

vcd dumpports

$dumpports

vcd dumpportsall

$dumpportsall

vcd dumpportsflush

$dumpportsflush

vcd dumpportslimit

$dumpportslimit

vcd dumpportsoff

$dumpportsoff

vcd dumpportson

$dumpportson

ModelSim supports multiple VCD files. This functionality is an extension of the IEEE Std
1364-2005 specification. The tasks behave the same as the IEEE equivalent tasks such as
$dumpfile, $dumpvar, and so forth. The difference is that $fdumpfile can be called multiple
times to create more than one VCD file, and the remaining tasks require a filename argument to

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VCD Commands and VCD Tasks

associate their actions with a specific file. Table 14-3 maps the VCD commands to their
associated tasks. For additional details, please see the Verilog IEEE Std 1364-2005
specification.

Table 14-3. VCD Commands and System Tasks for Multiple VCD Files
VCD commands

VCD system tasks

vcd add -file <filename>

$fdumpvars( levels, {, module_or_variable }1, filename)

vcd checkpoint <filename>

$fdumpall( filename )

vcd files <filename>

$fdumpfile( filename )

vcd flush <filename>

$fdumpflush( filename )

vcd limit <filename>

$fdumplimit( filename )

vcd off <filename>

$fdumpoff( filename )

vcd on <filename>

$fdumpon( filename )

1. denotes an optional, comma-separated list of 0 or more modules or variables

Using VCD Commands with SystemC

VCD commands are supported for SystemC signals and signal ports.

Supported SystemC Signals

sc_signal<T>
sc_signal_resolved
sc_signal_rv<N>

Supported SystemC Signal Ports

sc_in<T>
sc_out<T>
sc_inout<T>
sc_in_resolved
sc_out_resolved
sc_inout_resolved
sc_in_rv<N>
sc_out_rv<N>
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sc_inout_rv<N>
<T> can be any of types shown in Table 14-4.
Table 14-4. SystemC Types
unsigned char

char

sc_int

unsigned short

short

sc_uint

unsigned int

int

sc_bigint

unsigned long

float

sc_biguint

unsigned long long

double

sc_signed

enum

sc_unsigned
sc_logic
sc_bit
sc_bv
sc_lv

Unsupported types are the SystemC fixed point types, class, structures and unions.

Compressing Files with VCD Tasks

ModelSim can produce compressed VCD files using the gzip compression algorithm. Since we
cannot change the syntax of the system tasks, we act on the extension of the output file name. If
you specify a .gz extension on the filename, ModelSim will compress the output.

VCD File from Source to Output

The following example code shows the VHDL source, a set of simulator commands, and the
resulting VCD output.

VHDL Source Code

The design is a simple shifter device represented by the following VHDL source code.

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library IEEE;
use IEEE.STD_LOGIC_1164.all;
entity SHIFTER_MOD is
port (CLK, RESET, data_in
: IN STD_LOGIC;
Q : INOUT STD_LOGIC_VECTOR(8 downto 0));
END SHIFTER_MOD ;
architecture RTL of SHIFTER_MOD is
begin
process (CLK,RESET)
begin
if (RESET = '1') then
Q <= (others => '0') ;
elsif (CLK'event and CLK = '1') then
Q <= Q(Q'left - 1 downto 0) & data_in ;
end if ;
end process ;
end ;

VCD Simulator Commands

At simulator time zero, the designer executes the following commands.
vcd file output.vcd
vcd add -r *
force reset 1 0
force data_in 0 0
force clk 0 0
run 100
force clk 1 0, 0 50 -repeat 100
run 100
vcd off
force reset 0 0
force data_in 1 0
run 100
vcd on
run 850
force reset 1 0
run 50
vcd checkpoint
quit -sim

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VCD Output
The VCD file created as a result of the preceding scenario would be called output.vcd. The
following pages show how it would look.
$date
Thu Sep 18
11:07:43 2003
$end
$version
<Tool> Version
<version>
$end
$timescale
1ns
$end
$scope module
shifter_mod $end
$var wire 1 ! clk
$end
$var wire 1 " reset
$end
$var wire 1 # data_in
$end
$var wire 1 $ q [8]
$end
$var wire 1 % q [7]
$end
$var wire 1 & q [6]
$end
$var wire 1 ' q [5]
$end
$var wire 1 ( q [4]
$end
$var wire 1 ) q [3]
$end
$var wire 1 * q [2]
$end
$var wire 1 + q [1]
$end
$var wire 1 , q [0]
$end
$upscope $end
$enddefinitions $end
#0
$dumpvars
0!
1"
0#
0$
0%
0&
0'
0(
0)
0*
0+
0,

432

$end
#100
1!
#150
0!
#200
1!
$dumpoff
x!
x"
x#
x$
x%
x&
x'
x(
x)
x*
x+
x,
$end
#300
$dumpon
1!
0"
1#
0$
0%
0&
0'
0(
0)
0*
0+
1,
$end
#350
0!
#400
1!
1+
#450
0!
#500
1!
1*
#550
0!
#600
1!
1)
#650
0!

#700
1!
1(
#750
0!
#800
1!
1'
#850
0!
#900
1!
1&
#950
0!
#1000
1!
1%
#1050
0!
#1100
1!
1$
#1150
0!
1"
0,
0+
0*
0)
0(
0'
0&
0%
0$
#1200
1!
$dumpall
1!
1"
1#
0$
0%
0&
0'
0(
0)
0*
0+
0,
$end

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VCD to WLF

VCD to WLF
The ModelSim vcd2wlf command is a utility that translates a .vcd file into a .wlf file that can be
displayed in ModelSim using the vsim -view argument. This command only works on VCD
files containing positive time values.

Capturing Port Driver Data

Some ASIC vendors toolkits read a VCD file format that provides details on port drivers. This
information can be used, for example, to drive a tester. For more information on a specific
toolkit, refer to the ASIC vendors documentation.
In ModelSim, use the vcd dumpports command to create a VCD file that captures port driver
data. Each time an external or internal port driver changes values, a new value change is
recorded in the VCD file with the following format:
p<state> <0 strength> <1 strength> <identifier_code>

Driver States
Table 14-5 shows the driver states recorded as TSSI states if the direction is known.
Table 14-5. Driver States
Input (testfixture)

Output (dut)

D low

L low

U high

H high

N unknown

X unknown

Z tri-state

T tri-state

d low (two or more l low (two or more

drivers active)
drivers active)
u high (two or more h high (two or
drivers active)
more drivers active)
If the direction is unknown, the state will be recorded as one of the following:
Table 14-6. State When Direction is Unknown
Unknown direction
0 low (both input and output are driving low)
1 high (both input and output are driving high)
? unknown (both input and output are driving
unknown)

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Table 14-6. State When Direction is Unknown (cont.)

Unknown direction
F three-state (input and output unconnected)
A unknown (input driving low and output driving
high)
a unknown (input driving low and output driving
unknown)
B unknown (input driving high and output driving
low)
b unknown (input driving high and output driving
unknown)
C unknown (input driving unknown and output
driving low)
c unknown (input driving unknown and output
driving high)
f unknown (input and output three-stated)

Driver Strength
The recorded 0 and 1 strength values are based on Verilog strengths:
Table 14-7. Driver Strength
Strength

VHDL std_logic mappings

0 highz

1 small
2 medium
3 weak
4 large
5 pull

W,H,L

6 strong

U,X,0,1,-

7 supply

Identifier Code
The <identifier_code> is an integer preceded by < that starts at zero and is incremented for each
port in the order the ports are specified. Also, the variable type recorded in the VCD header is
"port".

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Resolving Values
The resolved values written to the VCD file depend on which options you specify when creating
the file.

Default Behavior
By default, ModelSim generates VCD output according to the IEEE Std 1364-2005, IEEE
Standard for Verilog Hardware Description Language. This standard states that the values 0
(both input and output are active with value 0) and 1 (both input and output are active with
value 1) are conflict states. The standard then defines two strength ranges:

Strong: strengths 7, 6, and 5

Weak: strengths 4, 3, 2, 1

The rules for resolving values are as follows:

If the input and output are driving the same value with the same range of strength, the
resolved value is 0 or 1, and the strength is the stronger of the two.

If the input is driving a strong strength and the output is driving a weak strength, the
resolved value is D, d, U or u, and the strength is the strength of the input.

If the input is driving a weak strength and the output is driving a strong strength, the
resolved value is L, l, H or h, and the strength is the strength of the output.

When force Command is Used

If you force a value on a net that does not have a driver associated with it, ModelSim uses the
port direction shown in the following table to dump values to the VCD file. When the port is an
inout, the direction cannot be determined.

Table 14-8. VCD Values When Force Command is Used

Value forced on Port Direction
net
input
output

inout

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Extended Data Type for VHDL (vl_logic)

Mentor Graphics has created an additional VHDL data type for use in mixed-language designs,
in case you need access to the full Verilog state set. The vl_logic type is an enumeration that
defines the full set of VHDL values for Verilog nets, as defined for Logic Strength Modeling in
IEEE 1364-2005.
This specification defines the following driving strengths for signals propagated from gate
outputs and continuous assignment outputs:
Supply, Strong, Pull, Weak, HiZ
This specification also defines three charge storage strengths for signals originating in the trireg
net type:
Large, Medium, Small
Each of these strengths can assume a strength level ranging from 0 to 7 (expressed as a binary
value from 000 to 111), combined with the standard four-state values of 0, 1, X, and Z. This
results in a set of 256 strength values, which preserves Verilog strength values going through
the VHDL portion of the design and allows a VCD in extended format for any downstream
application.
The vl_logic type is defined in the following file installed with ModelSim, where you can view
the 256 strength values:
<install_dir>/vhdl_src/verilog/vltypes.vhd

This location is a pre-compiled verilog library provided in your installation directory, along
with the other pre-compiled libraries (std and ieee).
Note
The Wave window display and WLF do not support the full range of vl_logic values for
VHDL signals.

Ignoring Strength Ranges

You may wish to ignore strength ranges and have ModelSim handle each strength separately.
Any of the following options will produce this behavior:

436

Use the -no_strength_range argument to the vcd dumpports command

Use an optional argument to $dumpports (see Extended $dumpports Syntax below)
Use the +dumpports+no_strength_range argument to vsim command

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In this situation, ModelSim reports strengths for both the zero and one components of the value
if the strengths are the same. If the strengths are different, ModelSim reports only the winning
strength. In other words, the two strength values either match (for example, pA 5 5 !) or the
winning strength is shown and the other is zero (for instance, pH 0 5 !).

Extended $dumpports Syntax

ModelSim extends the $dumpports system task in order to support exclusion of strength ranges.
The extended syntax is as follows:
$dumpports (scope_list, file_pathname, ncsim_file_index, file_format)

The nc_sim_index argument is required yet ignored by ModelSim. It is required only to be

compatible with NCSims argument list.
The file_format argument accepts the following values or an ORed combination thereof (see
examples below):
Table 14-9. Values for file_format Argument
File_format value

Meaning

Ignore strength range

Use strength ranges; produces IEEE 1364-compliant

behavior

Compress the EVCD output

Include port direction information in the EVCD file

header; same as using -direction argument to vcd
dumpports

Here are some examples:

// ignore strength range
$dumpports(top, "filename", 0, 0)
// compress and ignore strength range
$dumpports(top, "filename", 0, 4)
// print direction and ignore strength range
$dumpports(top, "filename", 0, 8)
// compress, print direction, and ignore strength range
$dumpports(top, "filename", 0, 12)

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Example 14-1. VCD Output from vcd dumpports

This example demonstrates how vcd dumpports resolves values based on certain combinations
of driver values and strengths and whether or not you use strength ranges. Table 14-10 is
sample driver data.
Table 14-10. Sample Driver Data
time

in value

out value in strength value out strength value

(range)
(range)

7 (strong)

100

6 (strong)

7 (strong)

200

5 (strong)

7 (strong)

300

4 (weak)

7 (strong)

900

6 (strong)

7 (strong)

27400

5 (strong)

4 (weak)

27500

4 (weak)

27600

3 (weak)

4 (weak)

Given the driver data above and use of 1364 strength ranges, here is what the VCD file output
would look like:
#0
p0 7 0
#100
p0 7 0
#200
p0 7 0
#300
pL 7 0
#900
pB 7 6
#27400
pU 0 5
#27500
p1 0 4
#27600
p1 0 4

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<0
<0
<0
<0
<0
<0
<0
<0

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Chapter 15
Tcl and DO Files
Tcl is a scripting language for controlling and extending ModelSim. Within ModelSim you can
develop implementations from Tcl scripts without the use of C code. Because Tcl is interpreted,
development is rapid; you can generate and execute Tcl scripts on the fly without stopping to
recompile or restart ModelSim. In addition, if ModelSim does not provide a command you
need, you can use Tcl to create your own commands.

Tcl Features
Using Tcl with ModelSim gives you these features:

command history (like that in C shells)

full expression evaluation and support for all C-language operators
a full range of math and trig functions
support of lists and arrays
regular expression pattern matching
procedures
the ability to define your own commands
command substitution (that is, commands may be nested)
robust scripting language for DO files

Tcl References
For quick reference information on Tcl, choose the following from the ModelSim main menu:
Help > Tcl Man Pages
In addition, the following books provide more comprehensive usage information on Tcl:

Tcl and the Tk Toolkit by John K. Ousterhout, published by Addison-Wesley Publishing

Company, Inc.

Practical Programming in Tcl and Tk by Brent Welch, published by Prentice Hall.

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Tcl Command Syntax

The following eleven rules define the syntax and semantics of the Tcl language.
Additional details on If Command Syntax follow.
1. A Tcl script is a string containing one or more commands. Semi-colons and newlines are
command separators unless quoted as described below. Close brackets ("]") are
command terminators during command substitution (see below) unless quoted.
2. A command is evaluated in two steps. First, the Tcl interpreter breaks the command into
words and performs substitutions as described below. These substitutions are performed
in the same way for all commands. The first word is used to locate a command
procedure to carry out the command, then all of the words of the command are passed to
the command procedure. The command procedure is free to interpret each of its words
in any way it likes, such as an integer, variable name, list, or Tcl script. Different
commands interpret their words differently.
3. Words of a command are separated by white space (except for newlines, which are
command separators).
4. If the first character of a word is a double-quote (") then the word is terminated by the
next double-quote character. If semi-colons, close brackets, or white space characters
(including newlines) appear between the quotes then they are treated as ordinary
characters and included in the word. Command substitution, variable substitution, and
backslash substitution are performed on the characters between the quotes as described
below. The double-quotes are not retained as part of the word.
5. If the first character of a word is an open brace ({) then the word is terminated by the
matching close brace (}). Braces nest within the word: for each additional open brace
there must be an additional close brace (however, if an open brace or close brace within
the word is quoted with a backslash then it is not counted in locating the matching close
brace). No substitutions are performed on the characters between the braces except for
backslash-newline substitutions described below, nor do semi-colons, newlines, close
brackets, or white space receive any special interpretation. The word will consist of
exactly the characters between the outer braces, not including the braces themselves.
6. If a word contains an open bracket ([) then Tcl performs command substitution. To do
this it invokes the Tcl interpreter recursively to process the characters following the
open bracket as a Tcl script. The script may contain any number of commands and must
be terminated by a close bracket (]). The result of the script (that is, the result of its last
command) is substituted into the word in place of the brackets and all of the characters
between them. There may be any number of command substitutions in a single word.
Command substitution is not performed on words enclosed in braces.
7. If a word contains a dollar-sign ($) then Tcl performs variable substitution: the dollarsign and the following characters are replaced in the word by the value of a variable.
Variable substitution may take any of the following forms:

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Tcl Command Syntax
o

$name
Name is the name of a scalar variable; the name is terminated by any character that
isn't a letter, digit, or underscore.

$name(index)
Name gives the name of an array variable and index gives the name of an element
within that array. Name must contain only letters, digits, and underscores. Command
substitutions, variable substitutions, and backslash substitutions are performed on
the characters of index.

${name}
Name is the name of a scalar variable. It may contain any characters whatsoever
except for close braces.
There may be any number of variable substitutions in a single word. Variable
substitution is not performed on words enclosed in braces.

8. If a backslash (\) appears within a word then backslash substitution occurs. In all cases
but those described below the backslash is dropped and the following character is
treated as an ordinary character and included in the word. This allows characters such as
double quotes, close brackets, and dollar signs to be included in words without
triggering special processing. Table 15-1 lists the backslash sequences that are handled
specially, along with the value that replaces each sequence.
Table 15-1. Tcl Backslash Sequences
Sequence

Value

Audible alert (bell) (0x7)

Backspace (0x8)

Form feed (0xc).

Newline (0xa)

Carriage-return (0xd)

Tab (0x9)

Vertical tab (0xb)

\<newline>whiteSpace

A single space character replaces the backslash, newline,

and all spaces and tabs after the newline. This backslash
sequence is unique in that it is replaced in a separate prepass before the command is actually parsed. This means
that it will be replaced even when it occurs between
braces, and the resulting space will be treated as a word
separator if it isn't in braces or quotes.

Backslash ("\")

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Table 15-1. Tcl Backslash Sequences (cont.)

Sequence

Value

\ooo

The digits ooo (one, two, or three of them) give the octal
value of the character.

\xhh

The hexadecimal digits hh give the hexadecimal value of

the character. Any number of digits may be present.

Backslash substitution is not performed on words enclosed in braces, except for

backslash-newline as described above.
9. If a pound sign (#) appears at a point where Tcl is expecting the first character of the
first word of a command, then the pound sign and the characters that follow it, up
through the next newline, are treated as a comment and ignored. The # character denotes
a comment only when it appears at the beginning of a command.
10. Each character is processed exactly once by the Tcl interpreter as part of creating the
words of a command. For example, if variable substitution occurs then no further
substitutions are performed on the value of the variable; the value is inserted into the
word verbatim. If command substitution occurs then the nested command is processed
entirely by the recursive call to the Tcl interpreter; no substitutions are performed before
making the recursive call and no additional substitutions are performed on the result of
the nested script.
11. Substitutions do not affect the word boundaries of a command. For example, during
variable substitution the entire value of the variable becomes part of a single word, even
if the variable's value contains spaces.

If Command Syntax
The Tcl if command executes scripts conditionally. Note that in the syntax below the question
mark (?) indicates an optional argument.

Syntax
if expr1 ?then? body1 elseif expr2 ?then? body2 elseif ... ?else? ?bodyN?

Arguments
None

Description
The if command evaluates expr1 as an expression. The value of the expression must be a
boolean (a numeric value, where 0 is false and anything else is true, or a string value such as
true or yes for true and false or no for false); if it is true then body1 is executed by passing it to
the Tcl interpreter. Otherwise expr2 is evaluated as an expression and if it is true then body2 is
executed, and so on. If none of the expressions evaluates to true then bodyN is executed. The
then and else arguments are optional "noise words" to make the command easier to read. There

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may be any number of elseif clauses, including zero. BodyN may also be omitted as long as else
is omitted too. The return value from the command is the result of the body script that was
executed, or an empty string if none of the expressions was non-zero and there was no bodyN.

Command Substitution
Placing a command in square brackets ([ ]) will cause that command to be evaluated first and its
results returned in place of the command. For example:
set a 25
set b 11
set c 3
echo "the result is [expr ($a + $b)/$c]"

This generates the following output:

"the result is 12"

Substitution allows you to obtain VHDL variables and signals, and Verilog nets and registers
using the following construct:
[examine -<radix> name]

The %name substitution is no longer supported. Everywhere %name could be used, you now
can use [examine -value -<radix> name] which allows the flexibility of specifying command
options. The radix specification is optional.

Command Separator
A semicolon character (;) works as a separator for multiple commands on the same line. It is not
required at the end of a line in a command sequence.

Multiple-Line Commands
With Tcl, multiple-line commands can be used within scripts and on the command line. The
command line prompt will change (as in a C shell) until the multiple-line command is complete.
In the example below, note the way the opening brace { is at the end of the if and else lines.
This is important because otherwise the Tcl scanner won't know that there is more coming in the
command and will try to execute what it has up to that point, which won't be what you intend.
if { [exa sig_a] == "0011ZZ"} {
echo "Signal value matches"
do do_1.do
} else {
echo "Signal value fails"
do do_2.do
}

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Evaluation Order
An important thing to remember when using Tcl is that anything put in braces ({}) is not
evaluated immediately. This is important for if-then-else statements, procedures, loops, and so
forth.

Tcl Relational Expression Evaluation

When you are comparing values, the following hints may be useful:

Tcl stores all values as strings, and will convert certain strings to numeric values when
appropriate. If you want a literal to be treated as a numeric value, don't quote it.
if {[exa var_1] == 345}...

The following will also work:

if {[exa var_1] == "345"}...

However, if a literal cannot be represented as a number, you must quote it, or Tcl will
give you an error. For instance:
if {[exa var_2] == 001Z}...

will give an error.

if {[exa var_2] == "001Z"}...

will work okay.

Do not quote single characters between apostrophes; use quotation marks instead.
For example:
if {[exa var_3] == 'X'}...

will produce an error. However, the following:

if {[exa var_3] == "X"}...

will work.

For the equal operator, you must use the C operator (==). For not-equal, you must use
the C operator (!=).

Variable Substitution
When a $<var_name> is encountered, the Tcl parser will look for variables that have been
defined either by ModelSim or by you, and substitute the value of the variable.
Note
Tcl is case sensitive for variable names.

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Tcl Command Syntax

To access environment variables, use the construct:

$env(<var_name>)
echo My user name is $env(USER)

Environment variables can also be set using the env array:

set env(SHELL) /bin/csh

See modelsim.ini Variables for more information about ModelSim-defined variables.

System Commands
To pass commands to the UNIX shell or DOS window, use the Tcl exec command:
echo The date is [exec date]

ModelSim Replacements for Tcl Commands

For complete information on Tcl commands, select Help > Tcl Man Pages.
ModelSim command names that conflict with Tcl commands have been renamed or have been
replaced by Tcl commands, as shown in Table 15-2.
Table 15-2. Changes to ModelSim Commands
Previous ModelSim Command changed to (or replaced by)
command
continue

run with the -continue option

format list | wave

write format with either list or wave specified

replaced by the Tcl if command, see If Command

Syntax for more information

list

add list

nolist | nowave

delete with either list or wave specified

set

replaced by the Tcl set command.

source

vsource

wave

add wave

Related Topics
Also see Simulator GUI Preferences for
information on Tcl preference variables.

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Simulator State Variables

Unlike other variables that must be explicitly set, simulator state variables return a value
relative to the current simulation. Simulator state variables can be useful in commands,
especially when used within ModelSim DO file scripts. The variables are referenced in
commands by prefixing the name with a dollar sign ($).
Table 15-3. Simulator State Variables

446

Variable

Description

architecture

This variable returns the name of the top-level architecture currently

being simulated; for a configuration or Verilog module, this variable
returns an empty string.

argc

This variable returns the total number of parameters passed to the

current script.

argv

This variable returns the list of parameters (arguments) passed to the

vsim command line.

configuration

This variable returns the name of the top-level configuration currently

being simulated; returns an empty string if no configuration.

delta

This variable returns the number of the current simulator iteration.

entity

This variable returns the name of the top-level VHDL entity or

Verilog module currently being simulated.

library

This variable returns the library name for the current region.

MacroNestingLevel

This variable returns the current depth of script call nesting.

This variable represents a script parameter, where n can be an integer

in the range 1-9.

Now

This variable always returns the current simulation time with time
units (for example, 110,000 ns). Note: the returned value contains a
comma inserted between thousands.

now

This variable returns the current simulation time with or without time
unitsdepending on the setting for time resolution, as follows:
When time resolution is a unary unit (such as 1ns, 1ps, 1fs), this
variable returns the current simulation time without time units (for
example, 100000).
When time resolution is a multiple of the unary unit (such as 10ns,
100ps, 10fs), this variable returns the current simulation time with
time units (for example, 110000 ns).
Note: the returned value does not contain a comma inserted between
thousands.

resolution

This variable returns the current simulation time resolution.

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List Processing

Referencing Simulator State Variables

Variable values may be referenced in simulator commands by preceding the variable name with
a dollar sign ($). For example, to use the now and resolution variables in an echo command
type:
echo "The time is $now $resolution."

Depending on the current simulator state, this command could result in:
The time is 12390 ps 10ps.

If you do not want the dollar sign to denote a simulator variable, precede it with a "\". For
example, \$now will not be interpreted as the current simulator time.

Special Considerations for the now Variable

For the when command, special processing is performed on comparisons involving the now
variable. If you specify "when {$now=100}...", the simulator will stop at time 100 regardless of
the multiplier applied to the time resolution.
You must use 64-bit time operators if the time value of now will exceed 2147483647 (the limit
of 32-bit numbers). For example:
if { [gtTime $now 2us] } {
.
.
.

See Simulator Tcl Time Commands for details on 64-bit time operators.

lappend var_name val1 val2 ...

appends val1, val2, ..., to list var_name

lindex list_name index

returns the index-th element of list_name; the first

element is 0

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Table 15-4. Tcl List Commands (cont.)

Command syntax

Description

linsert list_name index val1 val2 ...

inserts val1, val2, ..., just before the index-th element

of list_name

list val1, val2 ...

returns a Tcl list consisting of val1, val2, ...

llength list_name

returns the number of elements in list_name

lrange list_name first last

returns a sublist of list_name, from index first to index

last; first or last may be "end", which refers to the last
element in the list

lreplace list_name first last val1,

val2, ...

replaces elements first through last with val1, val2, ...

Two other commands, lsearch and lsort, are also available for list manipulation. See the Tcl man
pages (Help > Tcl Man Pages) for more information on these commands.

Simulator Tcl Commands

These additional commands enhance the interface between Tcl and ModelSim. Only brief
descriptions are provided in the following table.
Table 15-5. Simulator-Specific Tcl Commands
Command

Description

alias

creates a new Tcl procedure that evaluates the specified

commands; used to create a user-defined alias

find

locates incrTcl classes and objects

lshift

takes a Tcl list as argument and shifts it in-place one place

to the left, eliminating the 0th element

lsublist

returns a sublist of the specified Tcl list that matches the

specified Tcl glob pattern

printenv

echoes to the Transcript pane the current names and values

of all environment variables

Simulator Tcl Time Commands

ModelSim Tcl time commands make simulator-time-based values available for use within other
Tcl procedures. Time values may optionally contain a units specifier where the intervening

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space is also optional. If the space is present, the value must be quoted (for example, 10ns, "10
ns"). Time values without units are taken to be in the UserTimeScale. Return values are always
in the current Time Scale Units. All time values are converted to a 64-bit integer value in the
current Time Scale. When values are smaller than the current Time Scale, the values are
truncated to 0 and a warning is issued.

Time Conversion Tcl Commands

The following table provides Tcl time conversion commands.
Table 15-6. Tcl Time Conversion Commands
Command

Description

intToTime <intHi32> <intLo32>

converts two 32-bit pieces (high and low

order) into a 64-bit quantity (Time in
ModelSim is a 64-bit integer)

RealToTime <real>

converts a <real> number to a 64-bit

integer in the current Time Scale

scaleTime <time> <scaleFactor>

returns the value of <time> multiplied by

the <scaleFactor> integer

Time Relations Tcl Commands

The following table provides Tcl time relation commands.
Table 15-7. Tcl Time Relation Commands
Command

Description

eqTime <time> <time>

evaluates for equal

neqTime <time> <time>

evaluates for not equal

gtTime <time> <time>

evaluates for greater than

gteTime <time> <time>

evaluates for greater than or equal

ltTime <time> <time>

evaluates for less than

lteTime <time> <time>

evaluates for less than or equal

All relation operations return 1 or 0 for true or false respectively and are suitable return values
for TCL conditional expressions. For example,
if {[eqTime $Now 1750ns]} {
...
}

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Tcl Time Arithmetic Commands

The following table provides commands for performing arithmetic operations on time.
Table 15-8. Tcl Time Arithmetic Commands
Command

Description

addTime <time> <time>

add time

divTime <time> <time>

64-bit integer divide

mulTime <time> <time>

64-bit integer multiply

subTime <time> <time>

subtract time

Tcl Examples
This section provides examples of Tcl command usage.

Tcl while Loop

This example uses the Tcl while loop to copy a list from variable a to variable b,
reversing the order of the elements along the way:
set b [list]
set i [expr {[llength $a] - 1}]
while {$i >= 0} {
lappend b [lindex $a $i]
incr i -1
}

Tcl for Command

This example uses the Tcl for command to copy a list from variable a to variable b,
reversing the order of the elements along the way:
set b [list]
for {set i [expr {[llength $a] - 1}]} {$i >= 0} {incr i -1} {
lappend b [lindex $a $i]
}

Tcl foreach Command

This example uses the Tcl foreach command to copy a list from variable a to variable b,
reversing the order of the elements along the way (the foreach command iterates over all
of the elements of a list):
set b [list]
foreach i $a { set b [linsert $b 0 $i] }

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Tcl Examples

This example shows a list reversal as above, this time aborting on a particular element
using the Tcl break command:
set b [list]
foreach i $a {
if {$i = "ZZZ"} break
set b [linsert $b 0 $i]
}

Tcl continue Command

This example is a list reversal that skips a particular element by using the Tcl continue
command:
set b [list]
foreach i $a {
if {$i = "ZZZ"} continue
set b [linsert $b 0 $i]
}

Access and Transfer System Information

This example works in UNIX only. In a Windows environment, the Tcl exec command
will execute compiled files only, not system commands.) The example shows how you
can access system information and transfer it into VHDL variables or signals and
Verilog nets or registers. When a particular HDL source breakpoint occurs, a Tcl
function is called that gets the date and time and deposits it into a VHDL signal of type
STRING. If a particular environment variable (DO_ECHO) is set, the function also
echoes the new date and time to the transcript file by examining the VHDL variable.
(in VHDL source):
signal datime : string(1 to 28) := " ";# 28 spaces

(on VSIM command line or in a DO file script):

proc set_date {} {
global env
set do_the_echo [set env(DO_ECHO)]
set s [clock format [clock seconds]]
force -deposit datime $s
if {do_the_echo} {
echo "New time is [examine -value datime]"
}
}
bp src/waveadd.vhd 133 {set_date; continue}
--sets the breakpoint to call set_date

Tcl Used to Specify Compiler Arguments

This example specifies the compiler arguments and lets you compile any number of
files.

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DO Files
set Files [list]
set nbrArgs $argc
for {set x 1} {$x <= $nbrArgs} {incr x} {
set lappend Files $1
shift
}
eval vcom -93 -explicit -noaccel std_logic_arith $Files

Tcl Used to Specify Compiler ArgumentsEnhanced

This example is an enhanced version of the last one. The additional code determines
whether the files are VHDL or Verilog and uses the appropriate compiler and arguments
depending on the file type. Note that the script assumes your VHDL files have a .vhd file
extension.
set
set
set
for

vhdFiles [list]
vFiles [list]
nbrArgs $argc
{set x 1} {$x <= $nbrArgs} {incr x} {
if {[string match *.vhd $1]} {
lappend vhdFiles $1
} else {
lappend vFiles $1
}
shift

}
if {[llength
eval vcom
}
if {[llength
eval vlog
}

$vhdFiles] > 0} {
-93 -explicit -noaccel std_logic_arith $vhdFiles
$vFiles] > 0} {
$vFiles

DO Files
ModelSim DO files are simply scripts that contain ModelSim and, optionally, Tcl commands.
You invoke these scripts with the Tools > TCL > Execute Macro menu selection or the do
command.

Creating DO Files
You can create DO file scripts, like any other Tcl script, by doing one of the following.

Procedure

452

Type the required commands in any editor and save the file with the extension .do.
Save the transcript as a DO file (refer to Saving a Transcript File as a DO file.

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DO Files

Use the write format restart command to create a .do file that will recreate all debug
windows, all file/line breakpoints, and all signal breakpoints created with the when
command.

All "event watching" commands (for example, onbreak, onerror, and so forth) must be placed
before run commands within the script in order to take effect.
The following is a simple DO file script that was saved from the transcript. It is used in the
dataset exercise in the ModelSim Tutorial. This script adds several signals to the Wave window,
provides stimulus to those signals, and then advances the simulation.
add wave ld
add wave rst
add wave clk
add wave d
add wave q
force -freeze clk 0 0, 1 {50 ns} -r 100
force rst 1
force rst 0 10
force ld 0
force d 1010
onerror {cont}
run 1700
force ld 1
run 100
force ld 0
run 400
force rst 1
run 200
force rst 0 10
run 1500

Using Parameters with DO Files

You can increase the flexibility of DO file scripts by using parameters. Parameters specify
values that are passed to the corresponding parameters $1 through $9 in the script. For example
say the DO file "testfile" contains the line bp $1 $2. The command below would place a
breakpoint in the source file named design.vhd at line 127:
do testfile design.vhd 127

There is no limit to the number of parameters that can be passed to DO file scripts, but only nine
values are visible at one time. You can use the shift command to see the other parameters.

Deleting a File from a .do Script

To delete a file from a .do script, use the Tcl file command.

Procedure
file delete myfile.log

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This will delete the file "myfile.log."

You can also use the transcript file command to perform a deletion:
transcript file ()
transcript file my file.log

The first line will close the current log file. The second will open a new log file. If it has the
same name as an existing file, it will replace the previous one.

Making Script Parameters Optional

If you want to make DO file script parameters optional (that is, be able to specify fewer
parameter values with the do command than the number of parameters referenced in the DO file
script), you must use the argc simulator state variable. The argc simulator state variable returns
the number of parameters passed. The examples below show several ways of using argc.

Specifying Files to Compile With argc DO File Scripts

This script specifies the files to compile and handles 0-2 compiler arguments as
parameters. If you supply more arguments, ModelSim generates a message.
switch $argc {
0 {vcom file1.vhd file2.vhd file3.vhd }
1 {vcom $1 file1.vhd file2.vhd file3.vhd }
2 {vcom $1 $2 file1.vhd file2.vhd file3.vhd }
default {echo Too many arguments. The macro accepts 0-2 args.
}

Specifying Compiler Arguments With DO File Scripts

This script specifies the compiler arguments and lets you compile any number of files.
variable Files ""
set nbrArgs $argc
for {set x 1} {$x <= $nbrArgs} {incr x} {
set Files [concat $Files $1]
shift
}
eval vcom -93 -explicit -noaccel std_logic_arith $Files

Specifying Compiler Arguments With Scripts Enhanced

This DO file script is an enhanced version of the one shown in example 2. The
additional code determines whether the files are VHDL or Verilog and uses the
appropriate compiler and arguments depending on the file type. Note that the script
assumes your VHDL files have a .vhd file extension.

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DO Files
variable vhdFiles ""
variable vFiles ""
set nbrArgs $argc
set vhdFilesExist 0
set vFilesExist
0
for {set x 1} {$x <= $nbrArgs} {incr x} {
if {[string match *.vhd $1]} {
set vhdFiles [concat $vhdFiles $1]
set vhdFilesExist 1
} else {
set vFiles [concat $vFiles $1]
set vFilesExist 1
}
shift
}
if {$vhdFilesExist == 1} {
eval vcom -93 -explicit -noaccel std_logic_arith $vhdFiles
}
if {$vFilesExist == 1} {
eval vlog $vFiles
}

Breakpoint Flow Control in Nested DO files

The following diagram shows how control flows from one DO file to another and out to the
command line interface for input from the user.

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Figure 15-1. Breakpoint Flow Control in Nested DO Files

vsim CLI

f1.do

vsim> do f1.do

transcript on

f2.do

onbreak
onbreak {
echo In onbreak
resume
}

resume
do f2.do

transcript off

run 100

Bp Hit

echo Resume

vsim(paused)>

onbreak pause
vsim> resume
run 100

resume

Bp Hit

vsim> abort

rt
abo

echo Done!

1
echo Back

ll
abort a

run 200

Bp Hit
resume

echo Fini
vsim>

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Tcl and DO Files

DO Files

Useful Commands for Handling Breakpoints and

Errors
If you are executing a script when your simulation hits a breakpoint or causes a run-time error,
ModelSim interrupts the script and returns control to the command line. The commands in the
following table may be useful for handling such events. (Any other legal command may be
executed as well.)
Table 15-9. Commands for Handling Breakpoints and Errors in DO scripts
Command

Result

run -continue

continue as if the breakpoint had not been executed,

completes the run that was interrupted

onbreak

specify a command to run when you hit a breakpoint

within a script

onElabError

specify a command to run when an error is

encountered during elaboration

onerror

specify a command to run when an error is

encountered within a script

status

get a traceback of nested script calls when a script is

interrupted

abort

terminate a script once the script has been interrupted

or paused

pause

cause the script to be interrupted; the script can be

resumed by entering a resume command via the
command line

You can also set the OnErrorDefaultAction Tcl variable to determine what action ModelSim
takes when an error occurs. To set the variable on a permanent basis, you must define the
variable in a modelsim.tcl file (see The modelsim.tcl File for details).

Error Action in DO File Scripts

If a command in a script returns an error, ModelSim does the following:
1. If an onerror command has been set in the script, ModelSim executes that command.
The onerror command must be placed prior to the run command in the DO file to take
effect.
2. If no onerror command has been specified in the script, ModelSim checks the
OnErrorDefaultAction variable. If the variable is defined, its action will be invoked.
3. If neither 1 or 2 is true, the script aborts.

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DO Files

Using the Tcl Source Command with DO Files

Either the do command or Tcl source command can execute a DO file, but they behave
differently.
With the Tcl source command, the DO file is executed exactly as if the commands in it were
typed in by hand at the prompt. Each time a breakpoint is hit, the Source window is updated to
show the breakpoint. This behavior could be inconvenient with a large DO file containing many
breakpoints.
When a do command is interrupted by an error or breakpoint, it does not update any windows,
and keeps the DO file "locked". This keeps the Source window from flashing, scrolling, and
moving the arrow when a complex DO file is executed. Typically an onbreak resume command
is used to keep the script running as it hits breakpoints. Add an onbreak abort command to the
DO file if you want to exit the script and update the Source window.

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Appendix A
modelsim.ini Variables
The modelsim.ini file is the default initialization file and contains control variables that specify
reference library paths, optimization, compiler and simulator settings, and various other
functions. This chapter covers the contents and modification of the modelsim.ini file.

Organization of the modelsim.ini File A list of the different sections of the

modelsim.ini file.

Making Changes to the modelsim.ini File How to modify variable settings in the
modelsim.ini file.

Variables An alphabetized list of modelsim.ini variables and their properties.

Commonly Used modelsim.ini Variables A discussion of the most frequently used
variables and their settings.

Organization of the modelsim.ini File

The modelsim.ini file is located in your install directory and is organized into the following
sections.

The [library] section contains variables that specify paths to various libraries used by
ModelSim.

The [vcom] section contains variables that control the compilation of VHDL files.

The [vsim] section contains variables that control the simulator.

The [utils] section contains variables that control utility functions in the tool
environment.

The [vlog] section contains variables that control the compilation of Verilog files.
The [DefineOptionset] section allows you to define groups of commonly used
command line arguments. Refer to the section Optionsets in the Reference Manual for
more information.

The [msg_system] section contains variables that control the severity of notes,
warnings, and errors that come from vcom, vlog and vsim.

The System Initialization chapter contains descriptions of Environment Variables.

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Organization of the modelsim.ini File

Making Changes to the modelsim.ini File

When first installed, the modelsim.ini file is protected as a Read-only file. In order to make and
save changes to the file, you must first turn off the Read-only attribute in the modelsim.ini
Properties dialog box.

Procedure
1. Navigate to the location of the modelsim.ini file:
<install directory>/modelsim.ini
2. Right-click on the modelsim.ini file and choose Properties from the popup menu. This
displays the modelsim.ini Properties dialog box.
3. Uncheck the Attribute: Read-only.
4. Click OK.
To protect the modelsim.ini file after making changes, repeat the preceding steps, but at Step 3,
check the Read-only attribute.

Editing modelsim.ini Variables

Once the Read-only attribute has been turned off, you can make changes to the values of the
variables in the file.
The syntax for variables in the file is as follows:
<variable> = <value>

Procedure
1. Open the modelsim.ini file with a text editor.
2. Find the variable you want to edit in the appropriate section of the file.
3. Type the new value for the variable after the equal ( = ) sign.
4. If the variable is commented out with a semicolon ( ; ) remove the semicolon.
5. Save.

Overriding the Default Initialization File

You can make changes to the working environment during a work session by loading an
alternate initialization file that replaces the default modelsim.ini file. This file overrides the file
and path specified by the MODELSIM environment variable.
Refer to Initialization Sequence for the modelsim.ini file search precedence.

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modelsim.ini Variables
Organization of the modelsim.ini File

Procedure
1. Open the modelsim.ini file with a text editor.
2. Make changes to the modelsim.ini variables.
3. Save the file with an alternate name to any directory.
4. After start up of the tool, specify the -modelsimini <ini_filepath> switch with one of the
following commands:
Table A-1. Commands for Overriding the Default Initialization File
Simulator Commands

Compiler Commands

Utility Commands

vsim

vcom
vlog

vdel
vdir
vgencomp
vmake

Refer to the <command> -modelsimini argument description for further information.

The Runtime Options Dialog

The Runtime Options dialog box writes changes to the active modelsim.ini file that affect the
current session. To access, choose Simulate > Runtime Options in the Main window. The
dialog contains three tabs - Defaults, Message Severity, and WLF Files.
If the read-only attribute for the modelsim.ini file is turned off, the changes are saved, and affect
all future sessions. Refer to Making Changes to the modelsim.ini File.

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Organization of the modelsim.ini File

Figure A-1. Runtime Options Dialog: Defaults Tab

Table A-2. Runtime Option Dialog: Defaults Tab Contents

Option

Description

Default Radix

Sets the default radix for the current simulation run.

The chosen radix is used for all commands (force, examine, change
are examples) and for displayed values in the Objects, Locals,
Dataflow, List, and Wave windows, as well as the Source window in
the source annotation view.
The corresponding modelsim.ini variable is DefaultRadix. You can
override this variable with the radix command.

Default Radix Flags

Displays SystemVerilog and SystemC enums as numbers rather than

strings. This option overrides the global setting of the default radix.
You can override this variable with the add list -radixenumsymbolic.

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Organization of the modelsim.ini File

Table A-2. Runtime Option Dialog: Defaults Tab Contents (cont.)

Option

Description

Suppress Warnings

From Synopsys Packages suppresses warnings generated within the

accelerated Synopsys std_arith packages. The corresponding
modelsim.ini variable is StdArithNoWarnings.
From IEEE Numeric Std Packages suppresses warnings generated
within the accelerated numeric_std and numeric_bit packages. The
corresponding modelsim.ini variable is NumericStdNoWarnings.

Default Run

Sets the default run length for the current simulation. The
corresponding modelsim.ini variable is RunLength. You can override
this variable by specifying the run command.

Iteration Limit

Sets a limit on the number of deltas within the same simulation time
unit to prevent infinite looping. The corresponding modelsim.ini
variable is IterationLimit.

Default Force Type

Selects the default force type for the current simulation. The
corresponding modelsim.ini variable is DefaultForceKind. You can
override this variable by specifying the force command argument
-default, -deposit, -drive, or -freeze.

Figure A-2. Runtime Options Dialog Box: Message Severity Tab

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Organization of the modelsim.ini File

Table A-3. Runtime Option Dialog: Message Severity Tab Contents

Option

Specifies whether to save all design hierarchy in the WLF file or only
regions containing logged signals. The corresponding modelsim.ini
variable is WLFSaveAllRegions.

Variables
The modelsim.ini variables are listed in order alphabetically. The following information is given
for each variable.

A short description of how the variable functions.

The location of the variable, by section, in the modelsim.ini file.

The syntax for the variable.
A listing of all values and the default value where applicable.
Related arguments that are entered on the command line to override variable settings.
Commands entered at the command line always take precedence over modelsim.ini
settings. Not all variables have related command arguments.

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modelsim.ini Variables
AccessObjDebug

AccessObjDebug
This variable enables logging a VHDL access variableboth the variable value and any access
object that the variable points to during the simulation. Further, display-only names such as
[10001] take on a different form, as follows:

the initial character, @

For example: @ptr@1

By default, this variable is turned off. This means that while access variables themselves can be
logged and displayed in the various display windows, any access objects that they point to will
not be logged. The value of an access variable, which is the "name" of the access object it points
to, is suitable only for displaying, and cannot be used as a way for a command to reference it.
For example, for an access variable "v1" that designates some access object, the value of "v1"
will show as [10001]. This name cannot be used as input to any command that expects an object
name, it is for display only; but it is a unique identifier for any access object that the design may
produce. This value replaces any hexadecimal address-based 'value' that may have been
displayed in prior versions of ModelSim.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
AccessObjDebug = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -accessobjdebug or -noaccessobjdebug.

466

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -assertfile.

Related Topics
TranscriptFile variable
Creating a Transcript File

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modelsim.ini Variables
BatchMode

BatchMode
This variable runs batch (non-GUI) simulations. The simulations are executed via scripted files
from a Windows command prompt or UNIX terminal and do not provide for interaction with
the design during simulation. The BatchMode variable will be ignored if you use the -batch, -c,
-gui, or -i options to vsim. Refer to BatchMode for more information about running batch
simulations.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
BatchMode = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Runs the simulator in interactive mode. Refer to vsim -i for more information.
1 Enables batch simulation mode.

You can also enable batch mode by specifying vsim -batch.

Related Topics
Batch Mode
BatchTranscriptFile variable
TranscriptFile variable
vsim -batch

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vsim -do
vsim -i
vsim -logfile
vsim -nolog

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modelsim.ini Variables
BatchTranscriptFile

BatchTranscriptFile
This variable enables automatic creation of a transcript file when the simulator runs in batch
mode. All transcript data is sent to stdout when this variable is disabled and the simulator is run
in batch mode (BatchMode = 1, or vsim -batch).
Section [vsim]

Syntax
BatchTranscriptFile = <filename>

Arguments

<filename> Any string representing a valid filename where the default is transcript.

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -logfile <filename>, vsim -nolog.

Related Topics
Batch Mode
BatchMode variable
TranscriptFile variable
transcript file command

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vsim -batch
vsim -logfile
vsim -nolog

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modelsim.ini Variables
BindAtCompile

BindAtCompile
This variable instructs ModelSim to perform VHDL default binding at compile time rather than
load time.
Section [vcom]

Syntax
BindAtCompile = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

You can override this variable by specifying vcom {-bindAtCompile | -bindAtLoad}.

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RequireConfigForAllDefaultBinding

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modelsim.ini Variables
BreakOnAssertion

BreakOnAssertion
This variable stops the simulator when the severity of a VHDL assertion message or a
SystemVerilog severity system task is equal to or higher than the value set for the variable.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
BreakOnAssertion = {0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4}

Arguments

0 Note
1 Warning
2 Error
3 (default) Failure
4 Fatal

Related Topics
You can set this variable in the The Runtime
Options Dialog.

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modelsim.ini Variables
CheckPlusargs

CheckPlusargs
This variable defines the simulators behavior when encountering unrecognized plusargs. The
simulator checks the syntax of all system-defined plusargs to ensure they conform to the syntax
defined in the Reference Manual. By default, the simulator does not check syntax or issue
warnings for unrecognized plusargs (including accidently misspelled, system-defined plusargs),
because there is no way to distinguish them from a user-defined plusarg.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
CheckPlusargs = {0 | 1 | 2}

Arguments

0 (default) Ignore
1 Issues a warning and simulates while ignoring.
2 Issues an error and exits.

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modelsim.ini Variables
CheckpointCompressMode

CheckpointCompressMode
This variable specifies that checkpoint files are written in compressed format.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
CheckpointCompressMode = {0 | 1}

Arguments

476

0 Off
1 (default) On

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
CheckSynthesis

CheckSynthesis
This variable turns on limited synthesis rule compliance checking, which includes checking
only signals used (read) by a process and understanding only combinational logic, not clocked
logic.
Section [vcom]

Syntax
CheckSynthesis = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

You can override this variable by specifying vcom -check_synthesis.

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modelsim.ini Variables
ClassDebug

ClassDebug
This variable enables visibility into and tracking of class instances.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
ClassDebug = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -classdebug.

classinfo stats command

classinfo instances command

classinfo trace command

classinfo report command

classinfo types command

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modelsim.ini Variables
CommandHistory

CommandHistory
This variable specifies the name of a file in which to store the Main window command history.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
CommandHistory = <filename>

Arguments

<filename> Any string representing a valid filename where the default is cmdhist.log.

The default setting for this variable is to comment it out with a semicolon ( ; ).

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modelsim.ini Variables
CompilerTempDir

CompilerTempDir
This variable specifies a directory for compiler temporary files instead of work/_temp.
Section [vcom]

Syntax
CompilerTempDir = <directory>

Arguments

480

<directory> Any user defined directory where the default is work/_temp.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
ConcurrentFileLimit

ConcurrentFileLimit
This variable controls the number of VHDL files open concurrently. This number should be less
than the current limit setting for maximum file descriptors.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
ConcurrentFileLimit = <n>

Arguments

<n> Any non-negative integer where 0 is unlimited and 40 is the default.

Related Topics
Syntax for File Declaration

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modelsim.ini Variables
CreateDirForFileAccess

CreateDirForFileAccess
This variable controls whether the Verilog system task $fopen or vpi_mcd_open() will create a
non-existent directory when opening a file in append (a), or write (w) modes.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
CreateDirForFileAccess = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

Related Topics
New Directory Path With $fopen

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modelsim.ini Variables
CreateLib

CreateLib
This variable enables automatic creation of missing work libraries.
You can use the -nocreatelib option for the vcom or vlog commands to override this variable
and stop automatic creation of missing work libraries (which reverts back to the 10.3x and
earlier version behavior).
Section [vcom], [vlog]

Syntax
CreateLib = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 Off
1 (default) On

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modelsim.ini Variables
DatasetSeparator

DatasetSeparator
This variable specifies the dataset separator for fully-rooted contexts, for example:
sim:/top

The variable for DatasetSeparator must not be the same character as the PathSeparator variable,
or the SignalSpyPathSeparator variable.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
DatasetSeparator = <character>

Arguments

<character> Any character except special characters, such as backslash (\), brackets ({}),
and so forth, where the default is a colon ( : ).

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modelsim.ini Variables
DefaultForceKind

DefaultForceKind
This variable defines the kind of force used when not otherwise specified.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
DefaultForceKind = {default | deposit | drive | freeze}

ascii Display values in 8-bit character encoding.

binary Display values in binary format. You can also specify 2.
decimal or 10 Display values in decimal format. You can also specify 10.
hexadecimal (default) Display values in hexadecimal format. You can also specify 16.
octal Display values in octal format. You can also specify 8.
symbolic Display values in a form closest to their natural format.
unsigned Display values in unsigned decimal format.

You can override this variable by specifying radix {ascii | binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal
| symbolic | unsigned}, or by using the -default_radix switch with the vsim command.

Related Topics
You can set this variable in the The Runtime
Options Dialog.

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Changing Radix (base) for the Wave Window

487

modelsim.ini Variables
DefaultRadixFlags

DefaultRadixFlags
This variable controls the display of enumeric radices.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
DefaultRadixFlags = {" " | enumeric | showbase}

Arguments

" " No options. Formats enums symbolically.

enumeric Display enums is in numeric format.
showbase (default) Display enums showing the number of bits of the vector and the radix
that was used where:
binary = b
decimal = d
hexadecimal = h
ASCII = a
time = t

For example, instead of simply displaying a vector value of 31, a value of 16h31 may be
displayed to show that the vector is 16 bits wide, with a hexadecimal radix.
You can override this variable with the radix command.

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modelsim.ini Variables
DefaultRestartOptions

DefaultRestartOptions
This variable sets the default behavior for the restart command.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
DefaultRestartOptions = {-force | -noassertions | -nobreakpoint | -nofcovers | -nolist | -nolog |
-nowave}

Arguments

-force Restart simulation without requiring confirmation in a popup window.

-nobreakpoint Restart simulation with all breakpoints removed.

-noassertions Restart simulation without maintaining the current assert directive

configurations.
-nofcovers Restart without maintaining the current cover directive configurations.
-nolist Restart without maintaining the current List window environment.
-nolog Restart without maintaining the current logging environment.
-nowave Restart without maintaining the current Wave window environment.
semicolon ( ; ) Default is to prevent initiation of the variable by commenting the variable
line.

You can specify one or more value in a space separated list.

You can override this variable by specifying restart {-force | -noassertions | -nobreakpoint |
-nofcovers | -nolist | -nolog | -nowave}.

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modelsim.ini Variables
DelayFileOpen

DelayFileOpen
This variable instructs ModelSim to open VHDL87 files on first read or write, else open files
when elaborated.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
DelayFileOpen = {0 | 1}

Arguments

490

0 (default) On
1 Off

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
displaymsgmode

displaymsgmode
This variable controls where the simulator outputs system task messages. The display system
tasks displayed with this functionality include: $display, $strobe, $monitor, $write as well as the
analogous file I/O tasks that write to STDOUT, such as $fwrite or $fdisplay.
Section [msg_system]

Syntax
displaymsgmode = {both | tran | wlf}

Arguments

both Outputs messages to both the transcript and the WLF file.

wlf Outputs messages only to the WLF file/Message Viewer, therefore they are
unavailable in the transcript.

tran (default) Outputs messages only to the transcript, therefore they are unavailable in
the Message Viewer.

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -displaymsgmode.

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modelsim.ini Variables
DpiOutOfTheBlue

DpiOutOfTheBlue
This variable enables DPI out-of-the-blue Verilog function calls. The C functions must not be
declared as import tasks or functions.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
DpiOutOfTheBlue = {0 | 1 | 2}

Arguments

0 (default) Support for DPI out-of-the-blue calls is disabled.

1 Support for DPI out-of-the-blue calls is enabled.
2 Support for DPI out-of-the-blue calls is enabled.

You can override this variable using vsim -dpioutoftheblue.

Related Topics
vsim -dpioutoftheblue
Making Verilog Function Calls from non-DPI
C Models

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modelsim.ini Variables
DumpportsCollapse

DumpportsCollapse
This variable collapses vectors (VCD id entries) in dumpports output.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
DumpportsCollapse = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 Off
1 (default) On

You can override this variable by specifying vsim {+dumpports+collapse |

+dumpports+nocollapse}.

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modelsim.ini Variables
EnumBaseInit

EnumBaseInit
This variable initializes enum variables in SystemVerilog using either the default value of the
base type or the leftmost value.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
EnumBaseInit= {0 | 1}

Arguments

494

0 Initialize to leftmost value

1 (default) Initialize to default value of base type

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
error

error
This variable changes the severity of the listed message numbers to "error".
Section [msg_system]

Syntax
error = <msg_number>

Arguments

<msg_number> An unlimited list of message numbers, comma separated.

You can override this variable by specifying the vcom, vlog, or vsim command with the -error
argument.

Related Topics
verror <msg number> prints a detailed
description about a message number.

Message Severity Level

fatal, note, suppress, warning

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modelsim.ini Variables
ErrorFile

ErrorFile
This variable specifies an alternative file for storing error messages. By default, error messages
are output to the file specified by the TranscriptFile variable in the modelsim.ini file. If the
ErrorFile variable is specified, all error messages will be stored in the specified file, not in the
transcript.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
ErrorFile = <filename>

Arguments

<filename> Any valid filename where the default is error.log.

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -errorfile.

Related Topics
Creating a Transcript File
TranscriptFile

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modelsim.ini Variables
Explicit

Explicit
This variable enables the resolving of ambiguous function overloading in favor of the "explicit"
function declaration (not the one automatically created by the compiler for each type
declaration). Using this variable makes QuestaSim compatible with common industry practice.
Section [vcom]

Syntax
Explicit = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

You can override this variable by specifying vcom -explicit.

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modelsim.ini Variables
fatal

fatal
This variable changes the severity of the listed message numbers to "fatal".
Section [msg_system]

Syntax
fatal = <msg_number>

Arguments

<msg_number> An unlimited list of message numbers, comma separated.

<value> Specifies a percentage where the default value is 1000.

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501

modelsim.ini Variables
floatfixlib

floatfixlib
This variable sets the path to the library containing VHDL floating and fixed point packages.
Section [library]

Syntax
floatfixlib = <path>

Arguments

502

<path> Any valid path where the default is $MODEL_TECH/../floatfixlib. May include
environment variables.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
ForceSigNextIter

ForceSigNextIter
This variable controls the iteration of events when a VHDL signal is forced to a value.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
ForceSigNextIter = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off. Update and propagate in the same iteration.

1 On. Update and propagate in the next iteration.

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modelsim.ini Variables
ForceUnsignedIntegerToVHDLInteger

ForceUnsignedIntegerToVHDLInteger
This variable controls whether untyped Verilog parameters in mixed-language designs that are
initialized with unsigned values between 2*31-1 and 2*32 are converted to VHDL generics of
type INTEGER or ignored. If mapped to VHDL Integers, Verilog values greater than 2*31-1
(2147483647) are mapped to negative values. Default is to map these parameter to generic of
type INTEGER.
Section [vlog]

Syntax
ForceUnsignedIntegerToVHDLInteger = {0 | 1}

Arguments

504

0 Off
1 (default) On

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
FsmImplicitTrans

FsmImplicitTrans
This variable controls recognition of FSM Implicit Transitions.
Sections [vcom], [vlog]

Syntax
FsmImplicitTrans = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On. Enables recognition of implied same state transitions.

Related Topics
vcom -fsmimplicittrans |
-nofsmimplicittrans
vlog -fsmimplicittrans |
-nofsmimplicittrans

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modelsim.ini Variables
FsmResetTrans

FsmResetTrans
This variable controls the recognition of asynchronous reset transitions in FSMs.
Sections [vcom], [vlog]

Syntax
FsmResetTrans = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 Off
1 (default) On

Related Topics
vcom -fsmresettrans | -nofsmresettrans
vlog -fsmresettrans | -nofsmresettrans

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modelsim.ini Variables
FsmSingle

FsmSingle
This variable controls the recognition of FSMs with a single-bit current state variable.
Section [vcom], [vlog]

Syntax
FsmSingle = { 0 | 1 }

Arguments

0 Off
1 (default) On

Related Topics
vcom -fsmsingle | -nofsmsingle
vlog -fsmsingle | -nofsmsingle

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modelsim.ini Variables
FsmXAssign

FsmXAssign
This variable controls the recognition of FSMs where a current-state or next-state variable has
been assigned X in a case statement.
Section [vlog]

Syntax
FsmXAssign = { 0 | 1 }

Arguments

0 Off
1 (default) On

Related Topics
vlog -fsmxassign | -nofsmxassign

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modelsim.ini Variables
GCThreshold

GCThreshold
This variable sets the memory threshold for SystemVerilog garbage collection.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
GCThreshold = <n>

Arguments

<n> Any positive integer where <n> is the number of megabytes. The default is 100.

You can override this variable with the gc configure command or with vsim -threshold.

Related Topics
Class Instance Garbage Collection
ClassDebug modelsim.ini variable

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Changing the Garbage Collector

Configuration
GC Settings in Class Debug Disbled Mode

509

modelsim.ini Variables
GCThresholdClassDebug

GCThresholdClassDebug
This variable sets the memory threshold for SystemVerilog garbage collection when class
debug mode is enabled with vsim -classdebug.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
GCThresholdClassDebug = <n>

Arguments

<n> Any positive integer where <n> is the number of megabytes. The default is 5.

You can override this variable with the gc configure command.

Related Topics
Class Instance Garbage Collection
ClassDebug modelsim.ini variable
vsim

510

Changing the Garbage Collector

Configuration
GC Settings in Class Debug Enabled Mode

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
GenerateFormat

GenerateFormat
This variable controls the format of the old-style VHDL for generate statement region name
for each iteration.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
GenerateFormat = <non-quoted string>

Arguments
<non-quoted string> The default is %s__%d. The format of the argument must be unquoted, and must contain the conversion codes %s and %d, in that order. This string should
not contain any uppercase or backslash (\) characters.
The %s represents the generate statement label and the %d represents the generate
parameter value at a particular iteration (this is the position number if the generate
parameter is of an enumeration type). Embedded white space is allowed (but discouraged)
while leading and trailing white space is ignored. Application of the format must result in a
unique region name over all loop iterations for a particular immediately enclosing scope so
that name lookup can function properly.

Related Topics
OldVhdlForGenNames modelsim.ini variable

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Naming Behavior of VHDL for Generate

Blocks

511

modelsim.ini Variables
GenerousIdentifierParsing

GenerousIdentifierParsing
Controls parsing of identifiers input to the simulator. If this variable is on (value = 1), either
VHDL extended identifiers or Verilog escaped identifier syntax may be used for objects of
either language kind. This provides backward compatibility with older .do files, which often
contain pure VHDL extended identifier syntax, even for escaped identifiers in Verilog design
regions.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
GenerousIdentifierParsing = {0 | 1}

Arguments

512

0 Off
1 (default) On

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
GlobalSharedObjectsList

GlobalSharedObjectsList
This variable instructs ModelSim to load the specified PLI/FLI shared objects with global
symbol visibility. Essentially, setting this variable exports the local data and function symbols
from each shared object as global symbols so they become visible among all other shared
objects. Exported symbol names must be unique across all shared objects.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
GlobalSharedObjectsList = <filename>

Arguments

<filename> A comma separated list of filenames.

semicolon ( ; ) (default) Prevents initiation of the variable by commenting the variable
line.

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -gblso.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

513

modelsim.ini Variables
Hazard

Hazard
This variable turns on Verilog hazard checking (order-dependent accessing of global variables).
Section [vlog]

Syntax
Hazard = {0 | 1}

Arguments

514

0 (default) Off
1 On

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
ieee

ieee
This variable sets the path to the library containing IEEE and Synopsys arithmetic packages.
Section [library]

Syntax
ieee = <path>

Arguments

<path> Any valid path, including environment variables where the default is
$MODEL_TECH/../ieee.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

515

modelsim.ini Variables
IgnoreError

IgnoreError
This variable instructs ModelSim to disable runtime error messages.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
IgnoreError = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

Related Topics
You can set this variable in the The Runtime
Options Dialog.

516

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
IgnoreFailure

IgnoreFailure
This variable instructs ModelSim to disable runtime failure messages.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
IgnoreFailure = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

Related Topics
You can set this variable in the The Runtime
Options Dialog.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

517

modelsim.ini Variables
IgnoreNote

IgnoreNote
This variable instructs ModelSim to disable runtime note messages.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
IgnoreNote = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

Related Topics
You can set this variable in the The Runtime
Options Dialog.

518

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
IgnorePragmaPrefix

IgnorePragmaPrefix
This variable instructs the compiler to ignore synthesis and coverage pragmas with the specified
prefix name. The affected pragmas will be treated as regular comments.
Section [vcom, vlog]

Syntax
IgnorePragmaPrefix = {<prefix> | "" }

Arguments
<prefix> Specifies a user defined string.
"" (default) No string.
You can override this variable by specifying vcom -ignorepragmaprefix or vlog
-ignorepragmaprefix.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

519

modelsim.ini Variables
ignoreStandardRealVector

ignoreStandardRealVector
This variable instructs ModelSim to ignore the REAL_VECTOR declaration in package
STANDARD when compiling with vcom -2008. For more information refer to the
REAL_VECTOR section in Help > Technotes > vhdl2008migration technote.
Section [vcom]

Syntax
IgnoreStandardRealVector = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

You can override this variable by specifying vcom -ignoreStandardRealVector.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
IgnoreVitalErrors

IgnoreVitalErrors
This variable instructs ModelSim to ignore VITAL compliance checking errors.
Section [vcom]

Syntax
IgnoreVitalErrors = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off. Allow VITAL compliance checking errors.

1 On

You can override this variable by specifying vcom -ignorevitalerrors.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

521

modelsim.ini Variables
IgnoreWarning

IgnoreWarning
This variable instructs ModelSim to disable runtime warning messages.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
IgnoreWarning = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off. Enable runtime warning messages.

1 On

Related Topics
You can set this variable in the The Runtime
Options Dialog.

522

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
ImmediateContinuousAssign

ImmediateContinuousAssign
This variable instructs ModelSim to run continuous assignments before other normal priority
processes that are scheduled in the same iteration. This event ordering minimizes race
differences between optimized and non-optimized designs and is the default behavior.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
ImmediateContinuousAssign = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 Off
1 (default) On

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -noimmedca.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

523

modelsim.ini Variables
IncludeRecursionDepthMax

IncludeRecursionDepthMax
This variable limits the number of times an include file can be called during compilation. This
prevents cases where an include file could be called repeatedly.
Section [vlog]

Syntax
IncludeRecursionDepthMax = <n>

Arguments

524

<n> An integer that limits the number of loops. A setting of 0 would allow one pass
through before issuing an error, 1 would allow two passes, and so on.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
InitOutCompositeParam

InitOutCompositeParam
This variable controls how subprogram output parameters of array and record types are treated.
Section [vcom]

Syntax
InitOutCompositeParam = {0 | 1 | 2}

Arguments

0 Use the default for the language version being compiled.

2 Do not initialize the output parameter.

1 (default) Always initialize the output parameter to its default or left value
immediately upon entry into the subprogram.

You can override this variable by specifying vcom -initoutcompositeparam

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

525

modelsim.ini Variables
IterationLimit

IterationLimit
This variable specifies a limit on simulation kernel iterations allowed without advancing time.
Section [vlog], [vsim]

Syntax
IterationLimit = <n>

Arguments
<n> Any positive integer where the default is 5000.

Related Topics
You can set this variable in the The Runtime
Options Dialog.

526

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
LargeObjectSilent

LargeObjectSilent
This variable controls whether large object warning messages are issued or not. Warning
messages are issued when the limit specified in the variable LargeObjectSize is reached.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
LargeObjectSilent = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) On
1 Off

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

527

modelsim.ini Variables
LargeObjectSize

LargeObjectSize
This variable specifies the relative size of log, wave, or list objects in bytes that will trigger
large object messages. This size value is an approximation of the number of bytes needed to
store the value of the object before compression and optimization.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
LargeObjectSize = <n>

Arguments
<n> Any positive integer where the default is 500000 bytes.

528

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
LibrarySearchPath

LibrarySearchPath
This variable specifies the location of one or more resource libraries containing a precompiled
package. The behavior of this variable is identical to specifying the -L <libname> command
line option with vlog or vsim.
Section [vlog, vsim]

Syntax
LibrarySearchPath = <variable> | <path/lib> ...

Arguments

<variable> Any library variable where the default is:

LibrarySearchPath = mtiAvm mtiOvm mtiUvm mtiUPF infact

path/lib Any valid library path. May include environment variables.

Multiple library paths and variables are specified as a space separated list.
You can use the vsim -showlibsearchpath option to return all libraries specified by the
LibrarySearchPath variable. You can use the vsim -ignoreinilibs to prevent vsim from using
the libraries specified in LibrarySearchPath.

Related Topics
Verilog Resource Libraries
VHDL Resource Libraries
vlog
vsim

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

529

modelsim.ini Variables
MaxReportRhsCrossProducts

MaxReportRhsCrossProducts
This variable specifies a maximum limit for the number of Cross (bin) products reported against
a Cross when a XML or UCDB report is generated. The warning is issued if the limit is crossed.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
MaxReportRhsCrossProducts = <n>

Arguments

530

<n> Any positive integer where the default is 0.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
MessageFormat

MessageFormat
This variable defines the format of VHDL assertion messages as well as normal error messages.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
MessageFormat = <%value>

Arguments

<%value> One or more of the variables from Table A-5 where the default is:
** %S: %R\n Time: %T Iteration: %D%I\n.

Table A-5. MessageFormat Variable: Accepted Values

Variable

Description

severity level

report message

time of assertion

delta

instance or region pathname (if available)

instance pathname with process

process name

kind of object path points to; returns Instance, Signal,

Process, or Unknown

instance or region path without leaf process

file

line number of assertion, or if from subprogram, line from

which call is made

Design unit name in form: library.primary. Returns

<protected> if the design unit is protected.

Design unit name in form: library.primary(secondary).

Returns <protected> if the design unit is protected.

print % character

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

531

modelsim.ini Variables
MessageFormatBreak

MessageFormatBreak
This variable defines the format of messages for VHDL assertions that trigger a breakpoint.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
MessageFormatBreak = <%value>

Arguments

<%value> One or more of the variables from Table A-5 where the default is:
** %S: %R\n Time: %T Iteration: %D

532

%K: %i File: %F\n

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
MessageFormatBreakLine

MessageFormatBreakLine
This variable defines the format of messages for VHDL assertions that trigger a breakpoint.
%L specifies the line number of the assertion or, if the breakpoint is from a subprogram, the line
from which the call is made.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
MessageFormatBreakLine = <%value>

Arguments

<%value> One or more of the variables from Table A-5 where the default is:
** %S: %R\n Time: %T Iteration: %D

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

%K: %i File: %F Line: %L\n

533

modelsim.ini Variables
MessageFormatError

MessageFormatError
This variable defines the format of all error messages. If undefined, MessageFormat is used
unless the error causes a breakpoint in which case MessageFormatBreak is used.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
MessageFormatError = <%value>

Arguments

<%value> One or more of the variables from Table A-5 where the default is:
** %S: %R\n

Time: %T

Iteration: %D

%K: %i File: %F\n

Related Topics
MessageFormatBreak

534

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
MessageFormatFail

MessageFormatFail
This variable defines the format of messages for VHDL Fail assertions.
If undefined, MessageFormat is used unless assertion causes a breakpoint in which case
MessageFormatBreak is used.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
MessageFormatFail = <%value>

Arguments

<%value> One or more of the variables from Table A-5 where the default is:
** %S: %R\n Time: %T

Iteration: %D

%K: %i File: %F\n

Related Topics
MessageFormatBreak

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

535

modelsim.ini Variables
MessageFormatFatal

MessageFormatFatal
This variable defines the format of messages for VHDL Fatal assertions.
If undefined, MessageFormat is used unless assertion causes a breakpoint in which case
MessageFormatBreak is used.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
MessageFormatFatal = <%value>

Arguments

<%value> One or more of the variables from Table A-5 where the default is:
** %S: %R\n

Time: %T

Iteration: %D

%K: %i File: %F\n

Related Topics
MessageFormatBreak

536

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
MessageFormatNote

MessageFormatNote
This variable defines the format of messages for VHDL Note assertions.
If undefined, MessageFormat is used unless assertion causes a breakpoint in which case
MessageFormatBreak is used.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
MessageFormatNote = <%value>

Arguments

<%value> One or more of the variables from Table A-5 where the default is:
** %S: %R\n Time: %T

Iteration: %D%I\n

Related Topics
MessageFormatBreak

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

537

modelsim.ini Variables
MessageFormatWarning

MessageFormatWarning
This variable defines the format of messages for VHDL Warning assertions.
If undefined, MessageFormat is used unless assertion causes a breakpoint in which case
MessageFormatBreak is used.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
MessageFormatWarning = <%value>

Arguments

<%value> One or more of the variables from Table A-5 where the default is:
** %S: %R\n Time: %T

Iteration: %D%I\n

Related Topics
MessageFormatBreak

538

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
MixedAnsiPorts

MixedAnsiPorts
This variable supports mixed ANSI and non-ANSI port declarations and task/function
declarations.
Section [vlog]

Syntax
MixedAnsiPorts = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

You can override this variable by specifying vlog -mixedansiports.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

539

modelsim.ini Variables
modelsim_lib

modelsim_lib
This variable sets the path to the library containing Mentor Graphics VHDL utilities such as
Signal Spy.
Section [library]

Syntax
modelsim_lib = <path>

Arguments

540

<path> Any valid path where the default is $MODEL_TECH/../modelsim_lib. May

include environment variables.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
MsgLimitCount

MsgLimitCount
This variable limits the number of times warning messages will be displayed. The default limit
value is five.
Section [msg_system]

Syntax
MsgLimitCount = <limit_value>

Arguments
<limit_value> Any positive integer where the default limit value is 5.
You can override this variable by specifying vsim -msglimitcount.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

541

modelsim.ini Variables
msgmode

msgmode
This variable controls where the simulator outputs elaboration and runtime messages.
Section [msg_system]

Syntax
msgmode = {tran | wlf | both}

Arguments

tran (default) Messages appear only in the transcript.

wlf Messages are sent to the wlf file and can be viewed in the MsgViewer.
both Transcript and wlf files.

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -msgmode.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
mtiAvm

mtiAvm
This variable sets the path to the location of the Advanced Verification Methodology libraries.
Section [library]

Syntax
mtiAvm = <path>

Arguments

<path> Any valid path where the default is $MODEL_TECH/../avm

The behavior of this variable is identical to specifying vlog -L mtiAvm.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
NoIndexCheck

NoIndexCheck
This variable controls run time index checks.
Section [vcom]

Syntax
NoIndexCheck = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

You can override NoIndexCheck = 0 by specifying vcom -noindexcheck.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

549

Related Topics
verror <msg number> prints a detailed
description about a message number.

Message Severity Level

error, fatal, suppress, warning

552

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
NoVitalCheck

NoVitalCheck
This variable disables VITAL level 0 and Vital level 1 compliance checking.
Section [vcom]

Syntax
NoVitalCheck = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 Off
1 (default) On

You can override this variable by specifying vcom -novitalcheck.

Related Topics
Section 4 of the IEEE Std 1076.4-2004

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

553

modelsim.ini Variables
NumericStdNoWarnings

NumericStdNoWarnings
This variable disables warnings generated within the accelerated numeric_std and numeric_bit
packages.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
NumericStdNoWarnings = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

Related Topics
You can set this variable in the The Runtime
Options Dialog.

554

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
OldVHDLConfigurationVisibility

OldVHDLConfigurationVisibility
Controls visibility of VHDL component configurations during compile.
Section [vcom]

Syntax
OldVHDLConfigurationVisibility = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 Use Language Reference Manual compliant visibility rules when processing VHDL
configurations.

1 (default) Force vcom to process visibility of VHDL component configurations

consistent with prior releases.

Related Topics
vcom -oldconfigvis
vcom -lrmVHDLConfigVis

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

555

modelsim.ini Variables
OldVhdlForGenNames

OldVhdlForGenNames
This variable instructs the simulator to use a previous style of naming (pre-6.6) for VHDL
for generate statement iteration names in the design hierarchy.
The previous style is controlled by the value of the GenerateFormat value. The default behavior
is to use the current style names, which is described in the section Naming Behavior of VHDL
for Generate Blocks.
Section [vsim]

PedanticErrors
This variable forces display of an error message (rather than a warning) on a variety of
conditions. It overrides the NoCaseStaticError and NoOthersStaticError variables.
Section [vcom]

Syntax
PedanticErrors = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

Enforcing Strict 1076 Compliance

NoCaseStaticError

NoOthersStaticError

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

561

modelsim.ini Variables
PliCompatDefault

PliCompatDefault
This variable specifies the VPI object model behavior within vsim.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
PliCompatDefault = {1995 | 2001 | 2005 | 2009 | latest}

Arguments

1995 Instructs vsim to use the object models as defined in IEEE Std 1364-1995. When
you specify this argument, SystemVerilog objects will not be accessible. Aliases include:
95
1364v1995
1364V1995
VL1995
VPI_COMPATIBILITY_VERSION_1364v1995
1 On

2001 Instructs vsim to use the object models as defined in IEEE Std 1364-2001. When
you specify this argument, SystemVerilog objects will not be accessible. Aliases include:
01
1364v2001
1364V2001
VL2001
VPI_COMPATIBILITY_VERSION_1364v2001
Note
There are a few cases where the 2005 VPI object model is incompatible with the 2001
model, which is inherent in the specifications.

2005 Instructs vsim to use the object models as defined in IEEE Std 1800-2005 and IEEE
Std 1364-2005. Aliases include:
05
1800v2005
1800V2005
SV2005
VPI_COMPATIBILITY_VERSION_1800v2005

2009 Instructs vsim to use the object models as defined in IEEE Std 1800-2009. Aliases
include:
09
1800v2009
1800V2009

562

modelsim.ini Variables
PrintSimStats

PrintSimStats
This variable instructs the simulator to print out simulation statistics at the end of the simulation
before it exits. Statistics are printed with relevant units in separate lines. The Stats variable
overrides the PrintSimStats if the two are both enabled.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
PrintSimStats = {0 | 1 | 2}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 print at end of simulation
2 print at end of each run and end of simulation

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -printsimstats.

Related Topics
simstats
Stats variable
Stats

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

565

modelsim.ini Variables
Quiet

Quiet
This variable turns off "loading" messages.
Sections [vcom], [vlog]

Syntax
Quiet = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 Off
1 (default) On

You can override this variable by specifying vlog -quiet or vcom -quiet.

566

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
RequireConfigForAllDefaultBinding

RequireConfigForAllDefaultBinding
This variable instructs the compiler to not generate any default bindings when compiling with
vcom and when elaborating with vsim. All instances are left unbound unless you specifically
write a configuration specification or a component configuration that applies to the instance.
You must explicitly bind all components in the design through either configuration
specifications or configurations. If an explicit binding is not fully specified, defaults for the
architecture, port maps, and generic maps will be used as needed.
Refer to Disabling Default Binding for more information.
Section [vcom]

Syntax
RequireConfigForAllDefaultBinding = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

You can override RequireConfigForAllDefaultBinding = 1 by specifying vcom

-performdefaultbinding.

BindAtCompile .ini variable

vcom -ignoredefaultbinding

Disabling Default Binding

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

567

modelsim.ini Variables
Resolution

Resolution
This variable specifies the simulator resolution. The argument must be less than or equal to the
UserTimeUnit and must not contain a space between value and units.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
Resolution = {[n]<time_unit>}

Arguments

[n] Optional prefix specifying number of time units as 1, 10, or 100.

<time_unit> fs, ps, ns, us, ms, or sec where the default is ps.

The argument must be less than or equal to the UserTimeUnit and must not contain a space
between value and units, for example:
Resolution = 10fs

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -t. You should set a smaller resolution if your
delays get truncated.

Related Topics
Time command
UserTimeUnit

568

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
RunLength

RunLength
This variable specifies the default simulation length in units specified by the UserTimeUnit
variable.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
RunLength = <n>

Arguments

<n> Any positive integer where the default is 100.

You can override this variable by specifying the run command.

Related Topics
You can set this variable in the The Runtime
Options Dialog.
UserTimeUnit

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

569

modelsim.ini Variables
SeparateConfigLibrary

SeparateConfigLibrary
This variable allows the declaration of a VHDL configuration to occur in a different library than
the entity being configured. Strict conformance to the VHDL standard (LRM) requires that they
be in the same library.
Section [vcom]

Syntax
SeparateConfigLibrary = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

You can override this variable by specifying vcom -separateConfigLibrary.

570

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
Show_BadOptionWarning

Show_BadOptionWarning
This variable instructs ModelSim to generate a warning whenever an unknown plus argument is
encountered.
Section [vlog]

Syntax
Show_BadOptionWarning = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

571

modelsim.ini Variables
Show_Lint

Show_Lint
This variable instructs ModelSim to display lint warning messages.
Sections [vcom], [vlog]

Syntax
Show_Lint = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

You can override this variable by specifying vlog -lint or vcom -lint.

572

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
Show_source

modelsim.ini Variables
ShutdownFile

ShutdownFile
This variable calls the write format restart command upon exit and executes the .do file created
by that command. This variable should be set to the name of the file to be written, or the value
"--disable-auto-save" to disable this feature. If the filename contains the pound sign character
(#), then the filename will be sequenced with a number replacing the #. For example, if the file
is "restart#.do", then the first time it will create the file "restart1.do" and the second time it will
create "restart2.do", and so forth.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
ShutdownFile = <filename>.do | <filename>#.do | --disable-auto-save}

Arguments

<filename>.do A user defined filename where the default is restart.do.

<filename>#.do A user defined filename with a sequencing character.
--disable-auto-save Disables auto save.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

581

modelsim.ini Variables
SignalForceFunctionUseDefaultRadix

SignalForceFunctionUseDefaultRadix
Set this variable to 1 cause the signal_force VHDL and Verilog functions use the default radix
when processing the force value. Prior to 10.2 signal_force used the default radix and now it
always uses symbolic unless the value explicitly indicates a base radix.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
SignalForceFunctionUseDefaultRadix = { 0 | 1 }

Arguments

582

0 (default) Off
1 On

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
SignalSpyPathSeparator

SignalSpyPathSeparator
This variable specifies a unique path separator for the Signal Spy functions. The argument to
SignalSpyPathSeparator must not be the same character as the DatasetSeparator variable.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
SignalSpyPathSeparator = <character>

Arguments

<character> Any character except special characters, such as backslash ( \ ), brackets

( {} ), and so forth, where the default is to use the PathSeparator variable or a forward slash
( / ).

Related Topics
Signal Spy
DatasetSeparator

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

583

modelsim.ini Variables
SmartDbgSym

SmartDbgSym
This variable reduces the size of design libraries by minimizing the amount of debugging
symbol files generated at compile time. Default is to generate debugging symbol database file
for all design-units.

Syntax
SmartDbgSym = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

You can override this variable by specifying vcom/vlog -smartdbgsym.

584

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
Startup

Startup
This variable specifies a simulation startup DO file.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
Startup = {do <DO filename>}

Arguments

<DO filename> Any valid DO file where the default is to comment out the line ( ; ).

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Using a Startup File

585

modelsim.ini Variables
Stats

Stats
This variable controls the display of statistics messages in a logfile and stdout. Stats variable
overrides PrintSimStats variable if both are enabled.
You can specify modes globally or for a specific feature.
Section [vcom, vlog, vsim]

Syntax
Stats [=[+|-]<feature>[,[+|-]<mode>]

Arguments

[+|-] Controls activation of the feature or mode. You can also enable a feature or mode by
specifying a feature or mode without the plus (+) character. Multiple features and modes for
each instance of -stats are specified as a comma separated list.

<feature>
all All statistics features displayed (cmd, msg, perf, time). Mutually exclusive with
none option. When specified in a string with other options, +|-all is applied first.
cmd (default) Echo the command line
msg (default) Display error and warning summary at the end of command execution
none Disable all statistics features. Mutually exclusive with all option. When
specified in a string with other options, +|-none is applied first.
perf Display time and memory performance statistics
time (default) Display Start, End, and Elapsed times

<mode>
Modes can be set for a specific feature or globally for all features. To add or subtract a mode
for a specific feature, specify using the plus (+) or minus (-) character with the feature, for
example, Stats=cmd+verbose,perf+list. To add or subtract a mode globally for all features,
specify the modes in a comma-separated list, for example, Stats=time,perf,list,-verbose.
You cannot specify global and feature specific modes together.
kb Prints memory statistics in Kb units with no auto-scaling
list Display statistics in a Tcl list format when available
verbose Display verbose statistics information when available

You can add or subtract individual elements of this variable by specifying the -stats argument
with vcom, vencrypt, vhencrypt, vlog, and vsim.
You can disable all default or user-specified Stats features with the -quiet argument for vcom,
vencrypt, vhencrypt, vlog, mc2com, qverilog and vopt.

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modelsim.ini Variables
Stats

Related Topics
Tool Statistics Messages
simstats
PrintSimStats

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modelsim.ini Variables
std

std
This variable sets the path to the VHDL STD library.
Section [library]

Syntax
std = <path>

Arguments
<path> Any valid path where the default is $MODEL_TECH/../std. May include
environment variables.

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modelsim.ini Variables
std_developerskit

std_developerskit
This variable sets the path to the libraries for Mentor Graphics standard developers kit.
Section [library]

Syntax
std_developerskit = <path>

Arguments
<path> Any valid path where the default is $MODEL_TECH/../std_developerskit. May
include environment variables.

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modelsim.ini Variables
StdArithNoWarnings

StdArithNoWarnings
This variable suppresses warnings generated within the accelerated Synopsys std_arith
packages.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
StdArithNoWarnings = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

Related Topics
You can set this variable in the The Runtime
Options Dialog.

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modelsim.ini Variables
suppress

suppress
This variable suppresses the listed message numbers and/or message code strings (displayed in
square brackets).
Section [msg_system]

Syntax
suppress = <msg_number>

Arguments

<msg_number> An unlimited list of message numbers, comma separated.

You can override this variable setting by specifying the vcom, vlog, or vsim command with the
-suppress argument.

Related Topics
verror <msg number> prints a detailed
description about a message number.

Message Severity Level

error, fatal, note, warning

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modelsim.ini Variables
SuppressFileTypeReg

SuppressFileTypeReg
This variable suppresses a prompt from the GUI asking if ModelSim file types should be
applied to the current version.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
SuppressFileTypeReg = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

You can suppress the GUI prompt for ModelSim type registration by setting the
SuppressFileTypeReg variable value to 1 in the modelsim.ini file on each server in a server
farm. This variable only applies to Microsoft Windows platforms.

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modelsim.ini Variables
sv_std

sv_std
This variable sets the path to the SystemVerilog STD library.
Section [library]

Syntax
sv_std = <path>

Arguments

<path> Any valid path where the default is $MODEL_TECH/../sv_std. May include
environment variables.

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modelsim.ini Variables
SvExtensions

SvExtensions
This variable enables SystemVerilog language extensions. The extensions enable non-LRM
compliant behavior.
Section [vlog], [vsim]

Syntax
SvExtensions = [+|-]<val>[,[+|-]<val>]

Arguments

[+ | -] controls activation of the val.

+ activates the val.
- deactivates the val.
If you do not specify either a + or -, the variable assumes you are activating the
specified val.

<val>
acum Specifies that the get(), try_get(), peek(), and try_peek() methods on an
untyped mailbox will return successfully if the argument passed is assignmentcompatible with the entry in the mailbox. The LRM-compliant behavior is to return
successfully only if the argument and entry are of equivalent types.
atpi Use type names as port identifiers. Disabled when compiling with
-pedanticerrors.
catx Allow an assignment of a single un-sized constant in a concat to be treated as an
assignment of 'default:val'.
cfce Error message will be generated if $cast is used as a function and the casting
operation fails.
daoa Allows the passing a dynamic array as the actual argument of DPI open array
output port. Without this option, a runtime error, similar to the following, is
generated, which is compliant with LRM requirement.
# ** Fatal: (vsim-2211) A dynamic array cannot be passed as an
argument to the DPI import function 'impcall' because the formal 'o'
is an unsized output.
#
Time: 0 ns Iteration: 0 Process: /top/#INITIAL#56 File:
dynarray.sv
# Fatal error in Module dynarray_sv_unit at dynarray.sv line 2

evis Supports the expansion of environment variables within `include path names.
For example, if MYPATH exists in the environment then it will be expanded in the
following:
`include "$MYPATH/inc.svh"

feci Treat constant expressions in a foreach loop variable index as constant.

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modelsim.ini Variables
SvExtensions

fin0 Treats $finish() system call as $finish(0), which results in no diagnostic

information being printed.
idcl Allows passing of import DPI call locations as implicit scopes.
iddp Ignore the DPI task disable protocol check.
pae Automatically export all symbols imported and referenced in a package.
sccts (default) Process string concatenations converting the result to string type.
spsl (default) Search for packages in source libraries specified with -y and +libext.
stop0 Treats $stop and $stop() as $stop(0), which results in no diagnostic information
being printed.
udm0 Expands any undefined macro with the text 1'b0.
uslt (default) Promote unused design units found in source library files specified with
the -y option to top-level design units.
Multiple extensions are specified as a comma separated list. For example:
SvExtensions = +feci,-uslt,pae

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modelsim.ini Variables
SVFileSuffixes

SVFileSuffixes
This variable defines one or more filename suffixes that identify a file as a SystemVerilog file.
To insert white space in an extension, use a backslash (\) as a delimiter. To insert a backslash in
an extension, use two consecutive back-slashes (\\).
Section [vlog]

Syntax
SVFileSuffixes = sv svp svh

Arguments

596

On Uncomment the variable.

Off Comment the variable ( ; ).

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
Svlog

Svlog
This variable instructs the vlog compiler to compile in SystemVerilog mode. This variable does
not exist in the default modelsim.ini file, but is added when you select Use SystemVerilog in the
Compile Options dialog box > Verilog and SystemVerilog tab.
Section [vlog]

Syntax
Svlog = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

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modelsim.ini Variables
SVPrettyPrintFlags

SVPrettyPrintFlags
This variable controls the formatting of '%p' and '%P' conversion specifications used in $display
and similar system tasks.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
SVPrettyPrintFlags=[I<n><S | T>] [L<numLines>] [C<numChars>] [F<numFields>]
[E<numElements>] [D<depth>]

Arguments

I <n><S | T> Expand and indent the format for printing records, structures, and so forth
by <n> spaces (S) or <n> tab stops (T).

<n> (required) Any positive integer

<numFields> (required) Any positive integer.

<numElements> (required) Any positive integer.

<depth> (required) Any positive integer.

S (required when indenting with spaces) Indent with spaces.

T (required when indenting with tab stops) Indent with tab stops.
For example, SVPrettyPrintFlags=I4S will cause 4 spaces to be used per indentation level.
L<numLines> (optional) Limit the number of lines of output to <numLines>.
<numLines> (required) Any positive integer.
For example, SVPrettyPrintFlags=L10 will cause the output to be limited to 10 lines.
C<numChars> (optional) Limit the number of characters of output to <numChars>.
<numChars> (required) Any positive integer.
For example, SVPrettyPrintFlags=C256 will limit the output to 256 characters.
F<numFields> (optional) Limit the number of fields of records, structures, and so forth
to <numFields>.
For example, SVPrettyPrintFlags=F4 will limit the output to 4 fields of a structure.
E<numElements> (optional) Limit the number of elements of arrays to
<numElements>.
For example, SVPrettyPrintFlags=E50 will limit the output to 50 elements of an array.
D<depth> (optional) Suppress the output of sub-elements below a specified depth to
<depth>.
For example, SVPrettyPrintFlags=D5 will suppresses the output of sub elements below a
depth of 5.

Multiple options are specified as a comma separated list. For example,

SVPrettyPrintFlags=I4S,L20,C256,F4,E50,D5.
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modelsim.ini Variables
synopsys

synopsys
This variable sets the path to the accelerated arithmetic packages.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
synopsys = <path>

Arguments

<path> Any valid path where the default is $MODEL_TECH/../synopsys. May include
environment variables.

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modelsim.ini Variables
SyncCompilerFiles

SyncCompilerFiles
This variable causes compilers to force data to be written to disk when files are closed.
Section [vcom]

Syntax
SyncCompilerFiles = {0 | 1}

Arguments

600

immediate shared library loading failure.

verbose Permits loading to the shared libraries despite the undefined symbols and
reports the undefined symbols for each shared library.

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modelsim.ini Variables
UserTimeUnit

UserTimeUnit
This variable specifies the multiplier for simulation time units and the default time units for
commands such as force and run. Generally, you should set this variable to default, in which
case it takes the value of the Resolution variable.
Note
The value you specify for UserTimeUnit does not affect the display in the Wave window.
To change the time units for the X-axis in the Wave window, choose Wave > Wave
Preferences > Grid & Timeline from the main menu and specify a value for Grid Period.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
UserTimeUnit = {<time_unit> | default}

Arguments

<time_unit> fs, ps, ns, us, ms, sec, or default.

Related Topics
Resolution variable
RunLength variable
force
run

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modelsim.ini Variables
UVMControl

UVMControl
This variable controls UVM-Aware debug features. These features work with either a standard
Accelera-released open source toolkit or the pre-compiled UVM library package in ModelSim.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
UVMControl={all | certe | disable | msglog | none | struct | trlog | verbose}

Arguments
You must specify at least one argument. You can enable or disable some arguments by
prefixing the argument with a dash (-). Arguments may be specified as multiple instances of
-uvmcontrol. Multiple arguments are specified as a comma separated list without spaces.
Refer to the argument descriptions for more information.

all Enables all UVM-Aware functionality and debug options except disable and verbose.
You must specify verbose separately.

certe Enables the integration of the elaborated design in the Certe tool. Disables Certe
features when specified as -certe.

disable Prevents the UVM-Aware debug package from being loaded. Changes the
results of randomized values in the simulator.

msglog Enables messages logged in UVM to be integrated into the Message Viewer.
You must also enable wlf message logging by specifying tran or wlf with vsim -msgmode.
Disables message logging when specified as -msglog

none Turns off all UVM-Aware debug features. Useful when multiple -uvmcontrol
options are specified in a separate script, makefile or alias and you want to be sure all UVM
debug features are turned off.

struct (default) Enables UVM component instances to appear in the Structure window.
UVM instances appear under uvm_root in the Structure window. Disables Structure
window support when specified as -struct.

trlog Enables or disables UVM transaction logging. Logs UVM transactions for viewing
in the Wave window. Disables transaction logging when specified as -trlog.

verbose Sends UVM debug package information to the transcript. Does not affect
functionality. Must be specified separately.

You can also control UVM-Aware debugging with the -uvmcontrol argument to the vsim
command.

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modelsim.ini Variables
verilog

verilog
This variable sets the path to the library containing VHDL/Verilog type mappings.
Section [library]

Syntax
verilog = <path>

Arguments

606

<path> Any valid path where the default is $MODEL_TECH/../verilog. May include
environment variables.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
Veriuser

Veriuser
This variable specifies a list of dynamically loadable objects for Verilog PLI/VPI applications.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
Veriuser = <name>

Arguments

<name> One or more valid shared object names where the default is to comment out the
variable.

Registering PLI Applications

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modelsim.ini Variables
VHDL93

VHDL93
This variable enables support for VHDL language version.
Section [vcom]

Syntax
VHDL93 = {0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 87 | 93 | 02 | 08 | 1987 | 1993 | 2002 | 2008}

Arguments

0 Support for VHDL-1987. You can also specify 87 or 1987.

1 Support for VHDL-1993. You can also specify 93 or 1993.
2 (default) Support for VHDL-2002. You can also specify 02 or 2002.
3 Support for VHDL-2008. You can also specify 08 or 2008.

You can override this variable by specifying vcom {-87 | -93 | -2002 | -2008}.

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modelsim.ini Variables
VhdlSeparatePduPackage

VhdlSeparatePduPackage
This variable turns off sharing of a package from a library between two or more PDUs. Each
PDU will have a separate copy of the package. By default PDUs calling the same package from
a library share one copy of that package.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
VhdlSeparatePduPackage = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -vhdlmergepdupackage.

Related Topics
vsim -vhdlmergepdupackage

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modelsim.ini Variables
VhdlVariableLogging

VhdlVariableLogging
This switch makes it possible for process variables to be recursively logged or added to the
Wave and List windows (process variables can still be logged or added to the Wave and List
windows explicitly with or without this switch).
Note
Logging process variables is inherently expensive on simulation performance because of
their nature. It is recommended that they not be logged, or added to the Wave and List
windows. However, if your debugging needs require them to be logged, then use of this
switch will lessen the performance hit in doing so.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
VhdlVariableLogging = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -novhdlvariablelogging.

Related Topics
vsim -vhdlvariablelogging

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modelsim.ini Variables
vital2000

vital2000
This variable sets the path to the VITAL 2000 library.
Section [library]

Syntax
vital2000 = <path>

Arguments

<path> Any valid path where the default is $MODEL_TECH/../vital2000. May include
environment variables.

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modelsim.ini Variables
vlog95compat

vlog95compat
This variable instructs ModelSim to disable SystemVerilog and Verilog 2001 support, making
the compiler revert to IEEE Std 1364-1995 syntax.
Section [vlog]

Syntax
vlog95compat = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off
1 On

You can override this variable by specifying vlog -vlog95compat.

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modelsim.ini Variables
WarnConstantChange

WarnConstantChange
This variable controls whether a warning is issued when the change command changes the
value of a VHDL constant or generic.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
WarnConstantChange = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 Off
1 (default) On

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modelsim.ini Variables
warning

warning
This variable changes the severity of the listed message numbers to "warning".
Section [msg_system]

Syntax
warning = <msg_number>

Arguments

<msg_number> An unlimited list of message numbers, comma separated.

You can override this variable by specifying the vcom, vlog, or vsim command with the warning argument.

Related Topics
verror <msg number> prints a detailed
description about a message number.

Message Severity Level

error, fatal, note, suppress

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modelsim.ini Variables
WaveSignalNameWidth

WaveSignalNameWidth
This variable controls the number of visible hierarchical regions of a signal name shown in the
Wave Window.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
WaveSignalNameWidth = <n>

Arguments

<n> Any non-negative integer where the default is 0 (display full path). 1 displays only
the leaf path element, 2 displays the last two path elements, and so on.

You can override this variable by specifying configure -signalnamewidth.

Related Topics
verror <msg number> prints a detailed
description about a message number.

Message Severity Level

error, fatal, note, suppress

Wave Window

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615

modelsim.ini Variables
WildcardFilter

WildcardFilter
This variable sets the default list of object types that are excluded when performing wildcard
matches with simulator commands. The default WildcardFilter variables are loaded every time
you invoke the simulator.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
WildcardFilter = <object_list>

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
WLFCacheSize

WLFCacheSize
This variable sets the number of megabytes for the WLF reader cache. WLF reader caching
caches blocks of the WLF file to reduce redundant file I/O.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
WLFCacheSize = <n>

Arguments
<n> Any non-negative integer where the default on Linux systems is 2000M. The default
for Windows platforms is 1000M.
You can override this variable by specifying vsim -wlfcachesize.

Related Topics
WLF File Parameter Overview

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modelsim.ini Variables
WLFCollapseMode

WLFCollapseMode
This variable controls when the WLF file records values.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
WLFCollapseMode = {0 | 1 | 2}

Arguments

0 Preserve all events and event order. Same as vsim -nowlfcollapse.

2 Only record values of logged objects at the end of a simulator time step. Same as vsim
-wlfcollapsetime.

1 (default) Only record values of logged objects at the end of a simulator iteration. Same
as vsim -wlfcollapsedelta.

You can override this variable by specifying vsim {-nowlfcollapse | -wlfcollapsedelta |

-wlfcollapsetime}.

Related Topics
WLF File Parameter Overview

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modelsim.ini Variables
WLFCompress

WLFCompress
This variable enables WLF file compression.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
WLFCompress = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 Off
1 (default) On

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -nowlfcompress.

Related Topics
WLF File Parameter Overview

vsim -wlfcompress

You can set this variable in the The Runtime

Options Dialog.

vsim -nowlfcompress

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modelsim.ini Variables
WLFDeleteOnQuit

WLFDeleteOnQuit
This variable specifies whether a WLF file should be deleted when the simulation ends.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
WLFDeleteOnQuit = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off. Do not delete.

1 On.

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -nowlfdeleteonquit.

Related Topics
WLF File Parameter Overview

vsim -wlfdeleteonquit

You can set this variable in the The Runtime

Options Dialog.

vsim -nowlfdeleteonquit

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modelsim.ini Variables
WLFFileLock

WLFFileLock
This variable controls overwrite permission for the WLF file.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
WLFFileLock = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 Allow overwriting of the WLF file.

1 (default) Prevent overwriting of the WLF file.

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -wlflock or vsim -nowlflock.

Related Topics
WLF File Parameter Overview

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

vsim -wlflock

623

modelsim.ini Variables
WLFFilename

WLFFilename
This variable specifies the default WLF file name.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
WLFFilename = {<filename> | vsim.wlf}

Arguments

<filename> User defined WLF file to create.

vsim.wlf (default) filename

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -wlf.

Related Topics
WLF File Parameter Overview

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modelsim.ini Variables
WLFOptimize

WLFOptimize
This variable specifies whether the viewing of waveforms is optimized.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
WLFOptimize = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 Off
1 (default) On

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -nowlfopt.

Related Topics
WLF File Parameter Overview

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

vsim -wlfopt.

625

modelsim.ini Variables
WLFSaveAllRegions

WLFSaveAllRegions
This variable specifies the regions to save in the WLF file.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
WLSaveAllRegions = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Only save regions containing logged signals.

1 Save all design hierarchy.

Related Topics
You can set this variable in the The Runtime
Options Dialog.

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modelsim.ini Variables
WLFSimCacheSize

WLFSimCacheSize
This variable sets the number of megabytes for the WLF reader cache for the current simulation
dataset only. WLF reader caching caches blocks of the WLF file to reduce redundant file I/O.
This makes it easier to set different sizes for the WLF reader cache used during simulation, and
those used during post-simulation debug. If the WLFSimCacheSize variable is not specified,
the WLFCacheSize variable is used.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
WLFSimCacheSize = <n>

Arguments

<n> Any non-negative integer where the default is 500.

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -wlfsimcachesize.

Related Topics
WLFCacheSize
WLF File Parameter Overview

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modelsim.ini Variables
WLFSizeLimit

WLFSizeLimit
This variable limits the WLF file by size (as closely as possible) to the specified number of
megabytes; if both size (WLFSizeLimit) and time (WLFTimeLimit) limits are specified the
most restrictive is used.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
WLFSizeLimit = <n>

Arguments

<n> Any non-negative integer in units of MB where the default is 0 (unlimited).

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -wlfslim.

Related Topics
WLFTimeLimit
Limiting the WLF File Size
WLF File Parameter Overview

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modelsim.ini Variables
WLFTimeLimit

WLFTimeLimit
This variable limits the WLF file by time (as closely as possible) to the specified amount of
time. If both time and size limits are specified the most restrictive is used.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
WLFTimeLimit = <n>

Arguments

<n> Any non-negative integer in units of MB where the default is 0 (unlimited).

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -wlftlim.

Related Topics
WLF File Parameter Overview

Limiting the WLF File Size

You can set this variable in the The Runtime

Options Dialog.

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modelsim.ini Variables
WLFUpdateInterval

WLFUpdateInterval
This variable specifies the update interval for the WLF file. After the interval has elapsed, the
live data is flushed to the .wlf file, providing an up to date view of the live simulation. If you
specify 0, the live view of the wlf file is correct, however the file update lags behind the live
simulation.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
WLFUpdateInterval = <n>

Arguments

630

<n> Any non-negative integer in units of seconds where the default is 10 and 0 disables
updating.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

modelsim.ini Variables
WLFUseThreads

WLFUseThreads
This variable specifies whether the logging of information to the WLF file is performed using
multithreading.
Section [vsim]

Syntax
WLFUseThreads = {0 | 1}

Arguments

0 (default) Off. Windows systems only, or when one processor is available.

1 On Linux systems only, with more than one processor on the system. When this
behavior is enabled, the logging of information is performed by the secondary processor
while the simulation and other tasks are performed by the primary processor.

You can override this variable by specifying vsim -nowlfopt.

Related Topics
Multithreading on Linux Platforms

Commonly Used modelsim.ini Variables

Several of the more commonly used modelsim.ini variables are further explained below.
Tip: When a design is loaded, you can use the where command to display which
modelsim.ini or ModelSim Project File (.mpf) file is in use.

Common Environment Variables

You can use environment variables in the modelsim.ini file. Insert a dollar sign ($) before the
name of the environment variable so that its defined value is used. For example:
[Library]
work = $HOME/work_lib
test_lib = ./$TESTNUM/work
...
[vsim]
IgnoreNote = $IGNORE_ASSERTS
IgnoreWarning = $IGNORE_ASSERTS
IgnoreError = 0
IgnoreFailure = 0

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modelsim.ini Variables
Commonly Used modelsim.ini Variables

Note
The MODEL_TECH environment variable is a special variable that is set by ModelSim
(it is not user-definable). ModelSim sets this value to the name of the directory from
which the VCOM or VLOG compilers or the VSIM simulator was invoked. This
directory is used by other ModelSim commands and operations to find the libraries.

Hierarchical Library Mapping

By adding an "others" clause to your modelsim.ini file, you can have a hierarchy of library
mappings. If the ModelSim tools do not find a mapping in the modelsim.ini file, then they will
search only the library section of the initialization file specified by the "others" clause. For
example:
[Library]
asic_lib = /cae/asic_lib
work = my_work
others = /install_dir/modeltech/modelsim.ini

Since the file referred to by the "others" clause may itself contain an "others" clause, you can
use this feature to chain a set of hierarchical INI files for library mappings.

Creating a Transcript File

You can use the TranscriptFile variable to keep a record of everything that is sent to the
transcript from stdout: error messages, assertions, commands, command outputs, and so forth.
To do this, set the value for the TranscriptFile line in the modelsim.ini file to the name of the file
in which you would like to record the ModelSim history. You can also choose what type of data
to send to the transcript with the Stats variable.
; Save the command window contents to this file
TranscriptFile = trnscrpt

You can prevent overwriting older transcript files by including a pound sign (#) in the name of
the file. The simulator replaces the # character with the next available sequence number when
saving a new transcript file.
When you invoke vsim using the default modelsim.ini file, a transcript file is opened in the
current working directory. If you then change (cd) to another directory that contains a different
modelsim.ini file with a TranscriptFile variable setting, the simulator continues to save to the
original transcript file in the former location. You can change the location of the transcript file
to the current working directory by:

632

changing the preference setting (Tools > Edit Preferences > By Name > Main > file).
using the transcript file command.

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modelsim.ini Variables
Commonly Used modelsim.ini Variables

To limit the amount of disk space used by the transcript file, you can set the maximum size of
the transcript file with the transcript sizelimit command.
You can disable the creation of the transcript file by using the following ModelSim command
immediately after ModelSim starts:
transcript file ""

Using a Startup File

The system initialization file allows you to specify a command or a .do file that is to be executed
after the design is loaded. For example:
; VSIM Startup command
Startup = do mystartup.do

The line shown above instructs ModelSim to execute the commands in the DO file named
mystartup.do.
; VSIM Startup command
Startup = run -all

The line shown above instructs VSIM to run until there are no events scheduled.
Refer to the do command for additional information on creating DO files.

Turn Off Assertion Messages

You can turn off assertion messages from your VHDL code by setting a variable in the
modelsim.ini file. This option was added because some utility packages print a huge number of
warnings.
[vsim]
IgnoreNote = 1
IgnoreWarning = 1
IgnoreError = 1
IgnoreFailure = 1

Turn Off Warnings from Arithmetic Packages

You can disable warnings from the Synopsys and numeric standard packages by adding the
following lines to the [vsim] section of the modelsim.ini file.

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modelsim.ini Variables
Commonly Used modelsim.ini Variables
[vsim]
NumericStdNoWarnings = 1
StdArithNoWarnings = 1

Force Command Defaults

The force command has -freeze, -drive, and -deposit arguments. When none of these is
specified, then -freeze is assumed for unresolved signals and -drive is assumed for resolved
signals. But if you prefer -freeze as the default for both resolved and unresolved signals, you
can change the defaults in the modelsim.ini file.
[vsim]
; Default Force Kind
; The choices are freeze, drive, or deposit
DefaultForceKind = freeze

Restart Command Defaults

The restart command has -force, -nobreakpoint, -nofcovers, -nolist, -nolog, and -nowave
arguments. You can set any of these as defaults by entering the following line in the
modelsim.ini file.
DefaultRestartOptions = <options>

ModelSim tools that reference source files from the library locate a source file in two ways.

If the pathname stored in the library is complete, then this is the path used to reference
the file.

If the pathname is relative, then the tool looks for the file relative to the current working
directory. If this file does not exist, then the path relative to the working directory stored
in the library is used.

This method of referencing source files generally works fine if the libraries are created and used
on a single system. However, when multiple systems access a library across a network, the
physical pathnames are not always the same and the source file reference rules do not always
work.

Using Location Mapping

Location maps are used to replace prefixes of physical pathnames in the library with
environment variables. The location map defines a mapping between physical pathname
prefixes and environment variables.
ModelSim tools open the location map file on invocation if the MGC_LOCATION_MAP
environment variable is set. If MGC_LOCATION_MAP is not set, ModelSim will look for a
file named "mgc_location_map" in the following locations, in order:

the current directory

your home directory
the directory containing the ModelSim binaries
the ModelSim installation directory

You can map your files in two steps.

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Location Mapping
Referencing Source Files with Location Maps

Procedure
1. Set the environment variable MGC_LOCATION_MAP to the path of your location map
file.
2. Specify the mappings from physical pathnames to logical pathnames:
$SRC
/home/vhdl/src
/usr/vhdl/src
$IEEE
/usr/modeltech/ieee

Pathname Syntax
The logical pathnames must begin with $ and the physical pathnames must begin with /. The
logical pathname is followed by one or more equivalent physical pathnames. Physical
pathnames are equivalent if they refer to the same physical directory (they just have different
pathnames on different systems).

How Location Mapping Works

When a pathname is stored, an attempt is made to map the physical pathname to a path relative
to a logical pathname. This is done by searching the location map file for the first physical
pathname that is a prefix to the pathname in question. The logical pathname is then substituted
for the prefix. For example, "/usr/vhdl/src/test.vhd" is mapped to "$SRC/test.vhd". If a mapping
can be made to a logical pathname, then this is the pathname that is saved. The path to a source
file entry for a design unit in a library is a good example of a typical mapping.
For mapping from a logical pathname back to the physical pathname, ModelSim expects an
environment variable to be set for each logical pathname (with the same name). ModelSim
reads the location map file when a tool is invoked. If the environment variables corresponding
to logical pathnames have not been set in your shell, ModelSim sets the variables to the first
physical pathname following the logical pathname in the location map. For example, if you
don't set the SRC environment variable, ModelSim will automatically set it to "/home/vhdl/src".

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Appendix C
Error and Warning Messages
This appendix describes the messages and status information that ModelSim displays in the
Transcript window.

Message System
The ModelSim message system helps you identify and troubleshoot problems while using the
application. The messages display in a standard format in the Transcript window.
Accordingly, you can also access them from a saved transcript file (see Saving the Transcript
File for more details).

Message Format
The format for messages consists of several fields.
The fields for a given message appear as:
** <SEVERITY LEVEL>: ([<Tool>[-<Group>]]-<MsgNum>) <Message>

SEVERITY LEVEL may be one of the following:

Table C-1. Severity Level Types
severity level

meaning

Note

This is an informational message.

Warning

There may be a problem that will affect the accuracy of

your results.

Error

The tool cannot complete the operation.

Fatal

The tool cannot complete execution.

Tool indicates which ModelSim tool was being executed when the message was
generated. For example, tool could be vcom, vdel, vsim, and so forth.

Group indicates the topic to which the problem is related. For example group could
be PLI, VCD, and so forth.

Example
# ** Error: (vsim-PLI-3071) ./src/19/testfile(77): $fdumplimit : Too few
arguments.

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Message System

Getting More Information

Each message is identified by a unique MsgNum id consisting of four numerical digits.
You can access additional information about a message using the unique id and the verror
command. For example:
% verror 3071
Message # 3071:
Not enough arguments are being passed to the specified system task or
function.

Message Severity Level

You can suppress or change the severity of notes, warnings, and errors that come from vcom,
vlog, and vsim commands. You cannot suppress Fatal or Internal messages or change their
severity.
There are three ways to modify the severity of or to suppress notes, warnings, and errors:

Use the -error, -fatal, -note, -suppress, and -warning arguments to vcom, vlog, or vsim.
See the command descriptions in the Reference Manual for details on those arguments.

Use the suppress command.

Set a permanent default in the [msg_system] section of the modelsim.ini file. See
modelsim.ini Variables for more information.

Related Topics
Suppression of Warning Messages

Syntax Error Debug Flow

ModelSim commands issue errors when you provide design files that have syntax errors due to
typos or illegal code. You can work to debug these errors using this flow.

Procedure
1. Begin with the first error issued by the command.
2. Review the error message for a specific error number and information about the
filename and line number.
3. Use the verror command to access more information about the error number.
4. Review the area around the line number for typos in identifiers and correct as needed.

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Suppression of Warning Messages

5. Review the previous line for a malformed token or missing semicolon (;) or other ending
bracket and correct as needed.
6. Review the specific line to ensure the syntax is legal based on the BNF of the language
used and correct as needed.
7. Run the command again and repeat these steps for any further messages.

Suppression of Warning Messages

You can suppress the display of a specific warning message or categories of warning messages
that are trivial or not relevant to operation of a given command. For example, you can suppress
warning messages about unbound components that you are not interested in seeing.
Each of the following commands provides an argument you can specify to control the display of
warning messages issued while that command is running:

vcom see Suppress Warning Messages for the vcom Command.

vlog see Suppress Warning Messages for the vlog Command.
vsim see Suppress Warning Messages for the vsim Command.

Suppress Warning Messages for the vcom Command

Use the vcom -nowarn <category_number> argument to suppress a specific warning message.
For example:
vcom -nowarn 1

suppresses unbound component warning messages.

Alternatively, warnings may be disabled for all compiles via the Main window Compile >
Compile Options menu selections or the modelsim.ini file (see modelsim.ini Variables).
The warning message category numbers are:

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Suppression of Warning Messages
1 = unbound component
2 = process without a wait statement
3 = null range
4 = no space in time literal
5 = multiple drivers on unresolved signal
6 = VITAL compliance checks ("VitalChecks" also works)
7 = VITAL optimization messages
8 = lint checks
9 = signal value dependency at elaboration
10 = VHDL-1993 constructs in VHDL-1987 code
13 = constructs that coverage cant handle
14 = locally static error deferred until simulation run

These numbers are unrelated to vcom arguments that are specified by numbers, such as
vcom -87 which disables support for VHDL-1993 and 2002.

Suppress Warning Messages for the vlog Command

Use the vlog -nowarn <category_number> command to suppress a specific warning message.
The warning message category numbers for vlog are:
12 = non-LRM compliance in order to match Cadence behavior
13 = constructs that coverage cant handle

Alternatively, you can use the +nowarn<CODE> argument with the vlog command to suppress
a specific warning message. Warning messages that can be disabled this way contain the
<CODE> string in square brackets, [ ].
For example:
vlog +nowarnDECAY

suppresses decay warning messages.

Suppress Warning Messages for the vsim Command

Use the vsim +nowarn<CODE> command to suppress a specific warning message. Warnings
that can be disabled include the <CODE> name in square brackets [ ] in the warning message.
For example:
vsim +nowarnTFMPC

suppresses warning messages about too few port connections.

You can use vsim -msglimit <msg_number>[,<msg_number>,], or the MsgLimitCount
variable in the modelsim.ini file, to limit the number of times specific warning message(s) are
displayed to five. All instances of the specified messages are suppressed after the limit is
reached.

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Error and Warning Messages

Exit Codes

Exit Codes
When ModelSim exits a process, it displays a numerical exit code in the Transcript window.
Each code corresponds to a status condition of the process or operation.
Table C-1 lists the exit codes used by ModelSim commands, ,processes, and languages.

Table C-2. Exit Codes

Exit code

Description

Normal (non-error) return

Incorrect invocation of tool

Previous errors prevent continuing

Cannot create a system process (execv, fork, spawn, and so

forth.)

Licensing problem

Cannot create/open/find/read/write a design library

Cannot create/open/find/read/write a design unit

Cannot open/read/write/dup a file (open, lseek, write, mmap,

munmap, fopen, fdopen, fread, dup2, and so forth.)

File is corrupted or incorrect type, version, or format of file

Memory allocation error

General language semantics error

General language syntax error

Problem during load or elaboration

Problem during restore

Problem during refresh

Communication problem (Cannot create/read/write/close

pipe/socket)

Version incompatibility

License manager not found/unreadable/unexecutable

(vlm/mgvlm)

Lost license

License read/write failure

Modeltech daemon license checkout failure #44

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Error and Warning Messages

Miscellaneous Messages

Table C-2. Exit Codes (cont.)

Exit code

Description

Modeltech daemon license checkout failure #45

Assertion failure (SEVERITY_QUIT)

Reserved for Verification Run Manager

Unexpected error in tool

100

GUI Tcl initialization failure

101

GUI Tk initialization failure

102

GUI IncrTk initialization failure

111

X11 display error

202

Interrupt (SIGINT)

204

Illegal instruction (SIGILL)

205

Trace trap (SIGTRAP)

206

Abort (SIGABRT)

208

Floating point exception (SIGFPE)

210

Bus error (SIGBUS)

211

Segmentation violation (SIGSEGV)

213

Write on a pipe with no reader (SIGPIPE)

214

Alarm clock (SIGALRM)

215

Software termination signal from kill (SIGTERM)

216

User-defined signal 1 (SIGUSR1)

217

User-defined signal 2 (SIGUSR2)

218

Child status change (SIGCHLD)

230

Exceeded CPU limit (SIGXCPU)

231

Exceeded file size limit (SIGXFSZ)

Miscellaneous Messages
This section describes miscellaneous messages that may appear for various ModelSim
commands, processes, or design languages.

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Miscellaneous Messages

Compilation of DPI Export TFs Error

# ** Fatal: (vsim-3740) Can't locate a C compiler for compilation of
DPI export tasks/functions.

Description ModelSim was unable to locate a C compiler to compile the DPI

exported tasks or functions in your design.

Suggested Action Make sure that a C compiler is visible from where you are running
the simulation.

Empty port name warning

# ** WARNING: [8] <path/file_name>: empty port name in port list.

Description ModelSim reports these warnings if you use the -lint argument to vlog.
It reports the warning for any NULL module ports.

Suggested action If you want to suppress this warning, do not use the -lint argument.

Lock message
waiting for lock by user@user. Lockfile is <library_path>/_lock

Description ModelSim creates a _lock file in a library when you begin a compilation
into that library; it is removed when the compilation completes. This prevents
simultaneous updates to the library. If a previous compile did not terminate properly,
ModelSim may fail to remove the _lock file.

Suggested action Manually remove the _lock file after making sure that no one else
is actually using that library.

Metavalue detected warning

Warning: NUMERIC_STD.">": metavalue detected, returning FALSE

Description This warning is an assertion being issued by the IEEE numeric_std

package. It indicates that there is an 'X' in the comparison.

Suggested action The message does not indicate which comparison is reporting the
problem since the assertion is coming from a standard package. To track the problem,
note the time the warning occurs, restart the simulation, and run to one time unit before
the noted time. At this point, start stepping the simulator until the warning appears. The
location of the blue arrow in a Source window will be pointing at the line following the
line with the comparison.
You can turn off these messages by setting the NumericStdNoWarnings variable to 1
from the command line or in the modelsim.ini file.

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Error and Warning Messages

Miscellaneous Messages

Sensitivity list warning

signal is read by the process but is not in the sensitivity list

Description ModelSim displays this message when you use the -check_synthesis
argument to vcom. This warning occurs for any signal that is read by the process but is
not in the sensitivity list.

Suggested action There are cases where you may purposely omit signals from the
sensitivity list even though they are read by the process. For example, in a strictly
sequential process, you may prefer to include only the clock and reset in the sensitivity
list because it would be a design error if any other signal triggered the process. In such
cases, your only option is to omit the -check_synthesis argument.

Tcl Initialization error 2

Tcl_Init Error 2 : Can't find a usable Init.tcl in the following
directories :
./../tcl/tcl8.3 .

Description This message typically occurs when the base file was not included in a
UNIX or Linux installation. When you install ModelSim, you need to download and
install 3 files from the ftp site. These files are:
modeltech-base.mis
modeltech-docs.mis
install.<platform>

If you install only the <platform> file, you will not get the Tcl files that are located in
the base file.
This message could also occur if the file or directory was deleted or corrupted.

Suggested action Reinstall ModelSim with all three files.

Too few port connections

# ** Warning (vsim-3017): foo.v(1422): [TFMPC] - Too few port
connections. Expected 2, found 1.
# Region: /foo/tb

Description This warning occurs when an instantiation has fewer port connections
than the corresponding module definition. The warning does not necessarily mean
anything is wrong; it is legal in Verilog to have an instantiation that does not connect all
of the pins. However, someone that expects all pins to be connected would like to see
such a warning.
The following examples demonstrate legal instantiations that will and will not cause the
warning message.
o

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Miscellaneous Messages
module foo (a, b, c, d);
o

Instantiation that does not connect all pins but will not produce the warning
foo inst1(e, f, g, ); // positional association
foo inst1(.a(e), .b(f), .c(g), .d()); // named association

Instantiation that does not connect all pins but will produce the warning
foo inst1(e, f, g); // positional association
foo inst1(.a(e), .b(f), .c(g)); // named association

Any instantiation above will leave pin d unconnected but the first example has a
placeholder for the connection. Another example is:
foo inst1(e, , g, h);
foo inst1(.a(e), .b(), .c(g), .d(h));

Suggested actions
o

Check for an extra comma at the end of the port list. For example:
model(a,b,)

The extra comma is legal Verilog, but it implies that there is a third port connection
that is unnamed.
o

If you are purposefully leaving pins unconnected, you can disable these messages
using the +nowarnTFMPC argument to vsim.

VSIM license lost

Console output:
Signal 0 caught... Closing vsim vlm child.
vsim is exiting with code 4
FATAL ERROR in license manager
transcript/vsim output:
# ** Error: VSIM license lost;
#
Time: 5027 ns Iteration:
# ** Fatal: Unable to kill and
#
Time: 5027 ns Iteration:

attempting to re-establish.
2
restart license process.
2

Description ModelSim queries the license server for a license at regular intervals.
Usually a "License Lost" error message indicates that network traffic is high, and
communication with the license server times out.

Suggested action Any action you can take to improve network communication with
the license server has a chance of solving or decreasing the frequency of this problem.

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Error and Warning Messages

Enforcing Strict 1076 Compliance

The optional -pedanticerrors argument to vcom enforces strict compliance to the IEEE Std
1076-2002, IEEE Standard VHDL Language Reference Manual (LRM) in the cases listed
below. The default behavior for these cases is to issue a warning message that is not
suppressible.
If you compile with vcom-pedanticerrors, the warnings change to an error, unless otherwise
noted. Descriptions in quotes are actual warning/error messages emitted by vcom. As noted, in
some cases you can suppress the warning using vcom -nowarn [level].

Type conversion between array types, where the element subtypes of the arrays do not
have identical constraints.

"Extended identifier terminates at newline character (0xa)."

"Extended identifier contains non-graphic character 0x%x."
"Extended identifier \"%s\" contains no graphic characters."
"Extended identifier \"%s\" did not terminate with backslash character."
"An abstract literal and an identifier must have a separator between them."
This is for forming physical literals, which comprise an optional numeric literal,
followed by a separator, followed by an identifier (the unit name). Warning is level 4,
which means "-nowarn 4" will suppress it.

648

In VHDL 1993 or 2002, a subprogram parameter was declared using VHDL 1987
syntax (which means that it was a class VARIABLE parameter of a file type, which is
the only way to do it in VHDL 1987 and is illegal in later VHDLs). Warning is level 10.

"Shared variables must be of a protected type." Applies to VHDL 2002 only.

"Non-standard use of output port '%s' in PSL expression." Warning is level 11.

When the actual in a PORT MAP association is an expression, it must be a (globally)

static expression. The port must also be of mode IN.

The expression in the CASE and selected signal assignment statements must follow the
rules given in Section 8.8 of the IEEE Std 1076-2002. In certain cases we can relax these
rules, but -pedanticerrors forces strict compliance.

Expressions evaluated during elaboration cannot depend on signal values. Warning is

level 9.

"Non-standard use of linkage port '%s' in PSL expression." Warning is level 11.
Type mark of type conversion expression must be a named type or subtype, it can't have
a constraint on it.

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Error and Warning Messages

Enforcing Strict 1076 Compliance

A CASE choice expression must be a locally static expression. We allow it to be only

globally static, but -pedanticerrors will check that it is locally static. Same rule for
selected signal assignment statement choices. Warning level is 8.

When making a default binding for a component instantiation, ModelSim's non-standard

search rules found a matching entity. Section 5.2.2 of the IEEE Std 1076-2002 describes
the standard search rules. Warning level is 1.

Both FOR GENERATE and IF GENERATE expressions must be globally static. We

allow non-static expressions unless -pedanticerrors is present.

When the actual part of an association element is in the form of a conversion function
call [or a type conversion], and the formal is of an unconstrained array type, the return
type of the conversion function [type mark of the type conversion] must be of a
constrained array subtype. We relax this (with a warning) unless -pedanticerrors is
present when it becomes an error.

OTHERS choice in a record aggregate must refer to at least one record element.

Non-static choice in an array aggregate must be the only choice in the only element
association of the aggregate.

The range constraint of a scalar subtype indication must have bounds both of the same
type as the type mark of the subtype indication.

The index constraint of an array subtype indication must have index ranges each of
whose both bounds must be of the same type as the corresponding index subtype.

When compiling VHDL 1987, various VHDL 1993 and 2002 syntax is allowed. Use
-pedanticerrors to force strict compliance. Warnings are all level 10.

For a FUNCTION having a return type mark that denotes a constrained array subtype, a
RETURN statement expression must evaluate to an array value with the same index
range(s) and direction(s) as that type mark. This language requirement (Section 8.12 of
the IEEE Std 1076-2002) has been relaxed such that ModelSim displays only a compiler
warning and then performs an implicit subtype conversion at run time.

In an array aggregate of an array type whose element subtype is itself an array, all
expressions in the array aggregate must have the same index constraint, which is the
element's index constraint. No warning is issued; the presence of -pedanticerrors will
produce an error.

To enforce the prior compiler behavior, use vcom -pedanticerrors.

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Appendix D
Verilog Interfaces to C
This appendix describes the ModelSim implementation of the Verilog interfaces:

Verilog PLI (Programming Language Interface)

VPI (Verilog Procedural Interface)
SystemVerilog DPI (Direct Programming Interface).

These three interfaces provide a mechanism for defining tasks and functions that communicate
with the simulator through a C procedural interface. There are many third party applications
available that interface to Verilog simulators through the PLI (see Third Party PLI
Applications). In addition, you may write your own PLI/VPI/DPI applications.

Implementation Information
This chapter describes only the details of using the PLI/VPI/DPI with ModelSim Verilog and
SystemVerilog.

ModelSim SystemVerilog implements DPI as defined in the IEEE Std 1800-2005.

VPI Implementation The VPI is partially implemented as defined in the IEEE Std
1364-2005 and IEEE Std 1800-2005. The list of currently supported functionality can be
found in the following file:

The PLI implementation (TF and ACC routines) as defined in IEEE Std 1364-2001 is
retained for legacy PLI applications. However, this interface was deprecated in IEEE
Std 1364-2005 and subsequent IEEE Std 1800-2009 (SystemVerilog) standards. New
applications should not rely on this functionality being present and should instead use
the VPI.

<install_dir>/docs/technotes/Verilog_VPI.note

The simulator allows you to specify whether it runs in a way compatible with the IEEE
Std 1364-2001 object model or the combined IEEE Std 1364-2005/IEEE Std 1800-2005
object models. By default, the simulator uses the combined 2005 object models. This
control is accessed through the vsim -plicompatdefault switch or the PliCompatDefault
variable in the modelsim.ini file.

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Implementation Information

The following table outlines information you should know about when performing a
simulation with VPI and HDL files using the two different object models.
Table D-1. VPI Compatibility Considerations
Simulator
Compatibility:
-plicompatdefault

VPI
Files

HDL
Files

Notes

2001

When your VPI and HDL are written based on the

2001 standard, be sure to specify, as an argument to
vsim, -plicompatdefault 2001.

2005

When your VPI and HDL are written based on the

2005 standard, you do not need to specify any
additional information to vsim because this is the
default behavior

2001

2005

New SystemVerilog objects in the HDL will be

completely invisible to the application. This may be
problematic, for example, for a delay calculator,
which will not see SystemVerilog objects with delay
on a net.

2001

2005

2001

It is possible to write a 2005 VPI that is backwardscompatible with 2001 behavior by using modeneutral techniques. The simulator will reject 2005
requests if it is running in 2001 mode, so there may
be VPI failures.

2001

2005

You should only use this setup if there are other VPI
libraries in use for which it is absolutely necessary to
run the simulator in 2001-mode. This combination is
not recommended when the simulator is capable of
supporting the 2005 constructs.

2005

2001

This combination is not recommended. You should

change the -plicompatdefault argument to 2001.

2005

2001

2005

This combination is most likely to result in errors

generated from the VPI as it encounters objects in
the HDL that it does not understand.

2005

2001

This combination should function without issues, as

SystemVerilog is a superset of Verilog. All that is
happening here is that the HDL design is not using
the full subset of objects that both the simulator and
VPI ought to be able to handle.

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Verilog Interfaces to C
GCC Compiler Support for use with C Interfaces

GCC Compiler Support for use with C

Interfaces
To use GCC compilers with C interfaces, you must acquire the gcc/g++ compiler for your given
platform.

Related Topics
Compiling and Linking C Applications for Interfaces
Compiling and Linking C++ Applications for Interfaces

Registering PLI Applications

Each PLI application must register its system tasks and functions with the simulator, providing
the name of each system task and function and the associated callback routines.
Since many PLI applications already interface to Verilog-XL, ModelSim Verilog PLI
applications make use of the same mechanism to register information about each system task
and function in an array of s_tfcell structures. This structure is declared in the veriuser.h include
file as follows:
typedef int (*p_tffn)();
typedef struct t_tfcell {
short type;/* USERTASK, USERFUNCTION, or USERREALFUNCTION */
short data;/* passed as data argument of callback function */
p_tffn checktf; /* argument checking callback function */
p_tffn sizetf;
/* function return size callback function */
p_tffn calltf;
/* task or function call callback function */
p_tffn misctf;
/* miscellaneous reason callback function */
char *tfname;/* name of system task or function */
/* The following fields are ignored by ModelSim Verilog */
int forwref;
char *tfveritool;
char *tferrmessage;
int hash;
struct t_tfcell *left_p;
struct t_tfcell *right_p;
char *namecell_p;
int warning_printed;
} s_tfcell, *p_tfcell;

The various callback functions (checktf, sizetf, calltf, and misctf) are described in detail in the
IEEE Std 1364. The simulator calls these functions for various reasons. All callback functions
are optional, but most applications contain at least the calltf function, which is called when the
system task or function is executed in the Verilog code. The first argument to the callback
functions is the value supplied in the data field (many PLI applications don't use this field). The
type field defines the entry as either a system task (USERTASK) or a system function that
returns either a register (USERFUNCTION) or a real (USERREALFUNCTION). The tfname

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Registering PLI Applications

field is the system task or function name (it must begin with $). The remaining fields are not
used by ModelSim Verilog.
On loading of a PLI application, the simulator first looks for an init_usertfs function, and then a
veriusertfs array. If init_usertfs is found, the simulator calls that function so that it can call
mti_RegisterUserTF() for each system task or function defined. The mti_RegisterUserTF()
function is declared in veriuser.h as follows:
void mti_RegisterUserTF(p_tfcell usertf);

The storage for each usertf entry passed to the simulator must persist throughout the simulation
because the simulator de-references the usertf pointer to call the callback functions. We
recommend that you define your entries in an array, with the last entry set to 0. If the array is
named veriusertfs (as is the case for linking to Verilog-XL), then you don't have to provide an
init_usertfs function, and the simulator will automatically register the entries directly from the
array (the last entry must be 0). For example,
s_tfcell veriusertfs[] = {
{usertask, 0, 0, 0, abc_calltf, 0, "$abc"},
{usertask, 0, 0, 0, xyz_calltf, 0, "$xyz"},
{0} /* last entry must be 0 */
};

Alternatively, you can add an init_usertfs function to explicitly register each entry from the
array:
void init_usertfs()
{
p_tfcell usertf = veriusertfs;
while (usertf->type)
mti_RegisterUserTF(usertf++);
}

It is an error if a PLI shared library does not contain a veriusertfs array or an init_usertfs
function.
Since PLI applications are dynamically loaded by the simulator, you must specify which
applications to load (each application must be a dynamically loadable library, see Compiling
and Linking C Applications for Interfaces). The PLI applications are specified as follows (note
that on a Windows platform the file extension would be .dll):

As a list in the Veriuser entry in the modelsim.ini file:

Veriuser = pliapp1.so pliapp2.so pliappn.so

As a list in the PLIOBJS environment variable:

% setenv PLIOBJS "pliapp1.so pliapp2.so pliappn.so"

As a -pli argument to the simulator (multiple arguments are allowed):

-pli pliapp1.so -pli pliapp2.so -pli pliappn.so

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The various methods of specifying PLI applications can be used simultaneously. The libraries
are loaded in the order listed above. Environment variable references can be used in the paths to
the libraries in all cases.

Registering VPI Applications

Each VPI application must register its system tasks and functions and its callbacks with the
simulator. To accomplish this, one or more user-created registration routines must be called at
simulation startup. Each registration routine should make one or more calls to
vpi_register_systf() to register user-defined system tasks and functions and vpi_register_cb() to
register callbacks. The registration routines must be placed in a table named
vlog_startup_routines so that the simulator can find them. The table must be terminated with a 0
entry.
Example D-1. VPI Application Registration
PLI_INT32 MyFuncCalltf( PLI_BYTE8 *user_data )
{ ... }
PLI_INT32 MyFuncCompiletf( PLI_BYTE8 *user_data )
{ ... }
PLI_INT32 MyFuncSizetf( PLI_BYTE8 *user_data )
{ ... }
PLI_INT32 MyEndOfCompCB( p_cb_data cb_data_p )
{ ... }
PLI_INT32 MyStartOfSimCB( p_cb_data cb_data_p )
{ ... }
void RegisterMySystfs( void )
{
vpiHandle tmpH;
s_cb_data callback;
s_vpi_systf_data systf_data;
systf_data.type
= vpiSysFunc;
systf_data.sysfunctype = vpiSizedFunc;
systf_data.tfname
= "$myfunc";
systf_data.calltf
= MyFuncCalltf;
systf_data.compiletf
= MyFuncCompiletf;
systf_data.sizetf
= MyFuncSizetf;
systf_data.user_data
= 0;
tmpH = vpi_register_systf( &systf_data );
vpi_free_object(tmpH);
callback.reason
= cbEndOfCompile;
callback.cb_rtn
= MyEndOfCompCB;
callback.user_data = 0;
tmpH = vpi_register_cb( &callback );
vpi_free_object(tmpH);

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callback.reason
= cbStartOfSimulation;
callback.cb_rtn
= MyStartOfSimCB;
callback.user_data = 0;
tmpH = vpi_register_cb( &callback );
vpi_free_object(tmpH);
}
void (*vlog_startup_routines[ ] ) () = {
RegisterMySystfs,
0
/* last entry must be 0 */
};

Loading VPI applications into the simulator is the same as described in Registering PLI
Applications.

Using PLI and VPI Together

PLI and VPI applications can co-exist in the same application object file.
In such cases, the applications are loaded at startup as follows:

If an init_usertfs() function exists, then it is executed and only those system tasks and
functions registered by calls to mti_RegisterUserTF() will be defined.

If an init_usertfs() function does not exist but a veriusertfs table does exist, then only
those system tasks and functions listed in the veriusertfs table will be defined.

If an init_usertfs() function does not exist and a veriusertfs table does not exist, but a
vlog_startup_routines table does exist, then only those system tasks and functions and
callbacks registered by functions in the vlog_startup_routines table will be defined.

As a result, when PLI and VPI applications exist in the same application object file, they must
be registered in the same manner. VPI registration functions that would normally be listed in a
vlog_startup_routines table can be called from an init_usertfs() function instead.

Registering DPI Applications

DPI applications do not need to be registered. However, each DPI imported or exported task or
function must be identified using SystemVerilog import DPI-C or export DPI-Csyntax.
Examples of the syntax follow:
export "DPI-C" task t1;
task t1(input int i, output int o);
.
.
.
end task
import "DPI-C" function void f1(input int i, output int o);

Your C code must provide imported functions or tasks. An imported task must return an int
value, "1" indicating that it is returning due to a disable, or "0" indicating otherwise.

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The default flow is to supply C/C++ files on the vlog command line. The vlog compiler will
automatically compile the specified C/C++ files and prepare them for loading into the
simulation. For example,
vlog dut.v imports.c
vsim top -do <do_file>

Optionally, DPI C/C++ files can be compiled externally into a shared library. For example, third
party IP models may be distributed in this way. The shared library may then be loaded into the
simulator with either the command line option -sv_lib <lib> or -sv_liblist <bootstrap_file>.
For example,
vlog dut.v
gcc -shared -Bsymbolic -o imports.so imports.c
vsim -sv_lib imports top -do <do_file>

The -sv_lib option specifies the shared library name, without an extension. A file extension is
added by the tool, as appropriate to your platform. For a list of file extensions accepted by
platform, see DPI File Loading.
You can also use the command line options -sv_root and -sv_liblist to control the process for
loading imported functions and tasks. These options are defined in the IEEE Std 1800-2005.

DPI Use Flow

Correct use of ModelSim DPI depends on the flow presented in this section.

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Figure D-1. DPI Use Flow Diagram

vlog -dpiheader dpiheader.h *.v

dpiheader.h
(include into .c files)
.c

vlog *.c

vsim

1. Run vlog to generate a dpiheader.h file.

This file defines the interface between C and ModelSim for exported and imported tasks
and functions. Though the dpiheader.h is a user convenience file rather than a
requirement, including dpiheader.h in your C code can immediately solve problems
caused by an improperly defined interface. An example command for creating the
header file would be:
vlog -dpiheader dpiheader.h files.v

2. Include the dpiheader.h file in your C code.

ModelSim recommends that any user DPI C code that accesses exported tasks/functions,
or defines imported tasks/functions, should include the dpiheader.h file. This allows the
C compiler to verify the interface between C and ModelSim.
3. Compile the C code using vlog. For example:
vlog *.c

4. Simulate the design. For example

vsim top

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DPI and the vlog Command

You can specify C/C++ files on the vlog command line, and the command will invoke the
correct C/C++ compiler based on the file type passed. For example, you can enter the following
command:
vlog verilog1.v verilog2.v mydpicode.c

This vlog command compiles all Verilog files and C/C++ files into the work library. The vsim
command automatically loads the compiled C code at elaboration time.
It is possible to pass custom C compiler flags to vlog using the -ccflags option. vlog does not
check the validity of option(s) you specify with -ccflags. The options are directly passed on to
the compiler, and if they are not valid, an error message is generated by the C compiler.
You can also specify C/C++ files and options in a -f file, and they will be processed the same
way as Verilog files and options in a -f file.
It is also possible to pass custom C/C++ linker flags to vsim using the -ldflags option. For
example,
vsim top -ldflags -lcrypt

This command tells vsim to pass -lcrypt to the GCC linker.

Deprecated Legacy DPI Flows

Legacy use flows may be in use for certain designs from previous versions of ModelSim.
These customized flows may have involved use of -dpiexportobj, -dpiexportonly, or nodpiexports, and may have been employed for the following scenarios:

runtime work library locked

running parallel vsim simulations on the same design (distributed vsim simulation)
complex dependency between FLI/PLI/SystemC and DPI

None of the former special handling is required for these scenarios as of version 10.0d and
above. The recommended use flow is as documented in DPI Use Flow.

Platform Specific Information

On Windows, complex flows involving DPI combined with PLI or SystemC require special
handling. Contact Customer Support for further assistance.

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When Your DPI Export Function is Not Getting

Called
This issue can arise in your C code due to the way the C linker resolves symbols. It happens if a
name you choose for a SystemVerilog export function happens to match a function name in a
custom, or even standard C library (for example, pow). In this case, your C compiler will bind
calls to the function in that C library, rather than to the export function in the SystemVerilog
simulator.
The symptoms of such a misbinding can be difficult to detect. Generally, the misbound function
silently returns an unexpected or incorrect value.
To determine if you have this type of name aliasing problem, consult the C library
documentation (either the online help or man pages) and look for function names that match any
of your export function names. You should also review any other shared objects linked into
your simulation and look for name aliases there. To get a comprehensive list of your export
functions, you can use the vsim -dpiheader option and review the generated header file.

Troubleshooting a Missing DPI Import Function

DPI uses C function linkage. If your DPI application is written in C++, it is important to
remember to use extern "C" declaration syntax appropriately. Otherwise the C++ compiler will
produce a mangled C++ name for the function, and the simulator is not able to locate and bind
the DPI call to that function.

Simplified Import of Library Functions

In addition to the traditional method of importing FLI, PLI, and C library functions, a simplified
method can be used: you can declare VPI and FLI functions as DPI-C imports. When you
declare VPI and FLI functions as DPI-C imports, the C implementation of the import tf is not
required.
Also, on most platforms (see Platform Specific Information), you can declare most standard C
library functions as DPI-C imports.
The following example is processed directly, without DPI C code:
package cmath;
import "DPI-C" function real sin(input real x);
import "DPI-C" function real sqrt(input real x);
endpackage
package fli;
import "DPI-C" function mti_Cmd(input string cmd);
endpackage
module top;
import cmath::*;

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import fli::*;
int status, A;
initial begin
$display("sin(0.98) = %f", sin(0.98));
$display("sqrt(0.98) = %f", sqrt(0.98));
status = mti_Cmd("change A 123");
$display("A = %1d, status = %1d", A, status);
end
endmodule

To simulate, you would simply enter a command such as: vsim top.
Precompiled packages are available with that contain import declarations for certain commonly
used C calls.
<installDir>/verilog_src/dpi_cpack/dpi_cpackages.sv

You do not need to compile this file, it is automatically available as a built-in part of the
SystemVerilog simulator.

Platform Specific Information

On Windows, only FLI and PLI commands may be imported in this fashion. C library functions
are not automatically importable. They must be wrapped in user DPI C functions.

Optimizing DPI Import Call Performance

You can optimize the passing of some array data types across SystemVerilog/SystemC
language boundary.
Most of the overhead associated with argument passing is eliminated if the following conditions
are met:

DPI import is declared as a DPI-C function, not a task.

For actual array arguments and return values, do not use literal values or concatenation
expressions. Instead, use explicit variables of the same datatype as the formal array
arguments or return type.

DPI formal arguments can be either fixed-size or open array. They can use the element
types int, shortint, byte, or longint.

DPI function port mode is input or inout.

DPI calls are not hierarchical. The actual function call argument must not make use of
hierarchical identifiers.

Fixed-size array arguments declaration of the actual array and the formal array must
match in both direction and size of the dimension. For example: int_formal[2:0] and
int_actual[4:2] match and are qualified for optimization. int_formal[2:0] and
int_actual[2:4] do not match and will not be optimized.
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Open-array arguments Actual arguments can be either fixed-size arrays or dynamic

arrays. The topmost array dimension should be the only dimension considered open. All
lower dimensions should be fixed-size subarrays or scalars. High performance actual
arguments: int_arr1[10], int_arr2[], int_arr3[][2] int_arr4[][2][2]. A low performance
actual argument would be slow_arr[2][][2].

Making Verilog Function Calls from non-DPI C

Models
Working in certain FLI or PLI C applications, you might want to interact with the simulator by
directly calling Verilog DPI export functions. Such applications may include complex 3rd party
integrations, or multi-threaded C test benches. Normally calls to export functions from PLI or
FLI code are illegal. These calls are referred to as out-of-the-blue calls, since they do not
originate in the controlled environment of a DPI import tf.
You can configure the ModelSim tool to allow out-of-the-blue Verilog function calls either for
all simulations (DpiOutOfTheBlue = 1 in modelsim.ini file), or for a specific simulation (vsim
-dpioutoftheblue 1).
The following is an example in which PLI code calls a SystemVerilog export function:
vlog test.sv
gcc -shared -o pli.so pli.c
vsim -pli pli.so top -dpioutoftheblue 1

One restriction applies: only Verilog functions may be called out-of-the-blue. It is illegal to call
Verilog tasks in this way. The simulator issues an error if it detects such a call.

Calling C/C++ Functions Defined in PLI Shared

Objects from DPI Code
In some instances you may need to share C/C++ code across different shared objects that
contain PLI and/or DPI code. There are two ways you can achieve this goal:

The easiest is to include the shared code in an object containing PLI code, and then
make use of the vsim -gblso option.

Another way is to define a standalone shared object that only contains shared function
definitions, and load that using vsim -gblso. In this case, the process does not require
PLI or DPI loading mechanisms, such as -pli or -sv_lib.

You should also take into consideration what happens when code in one global shared object
needs to call code in another global shared object. In this case, place the -gblso argument for the
calling code on the vsim command line after you place the -gblso argument for the called code.
This is because vsim loads the files in the specified order and you must load called code before
calling code in all cases.

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Circular references aren't possible to achieve. If you have that kind of condition, you are better
off combining the two shared objects into a single one.
For more information about this topic please refer to the section "Loading Shared Objects with
Global Symbol Visibility."

Compiling and Linking C Applications for

Interfaces
The following platform-specific instructions show you how to compile and link your
PLI/VPI/DPI C applications so that they can be loaded by ModelSim. Various native C/C++
compilers are supported on different platforms. The gcc compiler is supported on all platforms.
The following PLI/VPI/DPI routines are declared in the include files located in the ModelSim
<install_dir>/include directory:

acc_user.h declares the ACC routines

veriuser.h declares the TF routines
vpi_user.h declares the VPI routines
svdpi.h declares DPI routines

The following instructions assume that the PLI, VPI, or DPI application is in a single source
file. For multiple source files, compile each file as specified in the instructions and link all of
the resulting object files together with the specified link instructions.
Although compilation and simulation switches are platform-specific, loading shared libraries is
the same for all platforms. For information on loading libraries for PLI/VPI see PLI and VPI
File Loading. For DPI loading instructions, see DPI File Loading.

Windows Platforms C
Windows platforms for C are supported for Microsoft Visual Studio and MinGW.

Microsoft Visual Studio 2008

For 32-bit:
cl -c -I<install_dir>\modeltech\include app.c
link -dll -export:<init_function> app.obj <install_dir>\win32\mtipli.lib -out:app.dll

For 64-bit:
cl -c -I<install_dir>\modeltech\include app.c
link -dll -export:<init_function> app.obj <install_dir>\win64\mtipli.lib -out:app.dll

For the Verilog PLI, the <init_function> should be "init_usertfs". Alternatively, if there
is no init_usertfs function, the <init_function> specified on the command line should be

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"veriusertfs". For the Verilog VPI, the <init_function> should be

"vlog_startup_routines". These requirements ensure that the appropriate symbol is
exported, and thus ModelSim can find the symbol when it dynamically loads the DLL.
If you have Cygwin installed, make sure that the Cygwin link.exe executable is not in
your search path ahead of the Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 link executable. If you
mistakenly bind your dll's with the Cygwin link.exe executable, the .dll will not function
properly. It may be best to rename or remove the Cygwin link.exe file to permanently
avoid this scenario.

MinGW
For 32-bit:
gcc -c -I<install_dir>\include app.c
gcc -shared -Bsymbolic -o app.dll app.o -L<install_dir>\win32 -lmtipli

The ModelSim tool requires the use of the MinGW gcc compiler rather than the Cygwin
gcc compiler. Remember to add the path to your gcc executable in the Windows
environment variables.
For 64-bit:
gcc -c -I<install_dir>\include app.c
gcc -shared -Bsymbolic -o app.dll app.o -L<install_dir>\win64 -lmtipli

SystemC is not supported on Windows 64-bit. However, the gcc-4.5.0-mingw64

compiler is shipped along with QuestaSim to enable users compile their C-interfaces
source files with mingw-gcc. The C Debug feature is not supported with this compiler.

Compiling and Linking C++ Applications for

Interfaces
ModelSim does not have direct support for any language other than standard C; however, C++
code can be loaded and executed under certain conditions.
Since ModelSim's PLI/VPI/DPI functions have a standard C prototype, you must prevent the
C++ compiler from mangling the PLI/VPI/DPI function names. This can be accomplished by
using the following type of extern:
extern "C"
{
<PLI/VPI/DPI application function prototypes>
}

The header files veriuser.h, acc_user.h, and vpi_user.h, svdpi.h, and dpiheader.h already
include this type of extern. You must also put the PLI/VPI/DPI shared library entry point
(veriusertfs, init_usertfs, or vlog_startup_routines) inside of this type of extern.

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You must also place an extern C declaration immediately before the body of every import
function in your C++ source code, for example:
extern "C"
int myimport(int i)
{
vpi_printf("The value of i is %d\n", i);
}

The following platform-specific instructions show you how to compile and link your
PLI/VPI/DPI C++ applications so that they can be loaded by ModelSim.
Although compilation and simulation switches are platform-specific, loading shared libraries is
the same for all platforms. For information on loading libraries, see DPI File Loading.

For PLI/VPI only

If app.so is not in your current directory you must tell Linux where to search for the shared
object. You can do this one of two ways:

Add a path before app.so in the foreign attribute specification. (The path may include
environment variables.)

Put the path in a UNIX shell environment variable:

LD_LIBRARY_PATH_32= <library path without filename> (32-bit)
or
LD_LIBRARY_PATH_64= <library path without filename> (64-bit)

Windows Platforms C++

Windows platforms for C++ are supported for Microsoft Visual Studio and MinGW.

Microsoft Visual Studio 2008

For 32-bit:
cl -c [-GX] -I<install_dir>\modeltech\include app.cxx
link -dll -export:<init_function> app.obj
<install_dir>\modeltech\win32\mtipli.lib /out:app.dll

For 64-bit:
cl -c [-GX] -I<install_dir>\modeltech\include app.cxx
link -dll -export:<init_function> app.obj
<install_dir>\modeltech\win64\mtipli.lib /out:app.dll

The -GX argument enables exception handling.

For the Verilog PLI, the <init_function> should be "init_usertfs". Alternatively, if there
is no init_usertfs function, the <init_function> specified on the command line should be
"veriusertfs". For the Verilog VPI, the <init_function> should be

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"vlog_startup_routines". These requirements ensure that the appropriate symbol is

exported, and thus ModelSim can find the symbol when it dynamically loads the DLL.
If you have Cygwin installed, make sure that the Cygwin link.exe executable is not in
your search path ahead of the Microsoft Visual C link executable. If you mistakenly bind
your dll's with the Cygwin link.exe executable, the .dll will not function properly. It may
be best to rename or remove the Cygwin link.exe file to permanently avoid this scenario.

MinGW
For 32-bit:
g++ -c -I<install_dir>\modeltech\include app.cpp
g++ -shared -Bsymbolic -o app.dll app.o -L<install_dir>\modeltech\win32 -lmtipli

For 64-bit:
g++ -c -I<install_dir>\modeltech\include app.cpp
g++ -shared -Bsymbolic -o app.dll app.o -L<install_dir>\modeltech\win64 -lmtipli

ModelSim requires the use of the MinGW gcc compiler rather than the Cygwin gcc
compiler.

Specifying Application Files to Load

PLI and VPI file loading is identical. DPI file loading uses switches to the vsim command.

PLI and VPI File Loading

The PLI/VPI applications are specified as follows:

As a list in the Veriuser entry in the modelsim.ini file:

Veriuser = pliapp1.so pliapp2.so pliappn.so

As a list in the PLIOBJS environment variable:

% setenv PLIOBJS "pliapp1.so pliapp2.so pliappn.so"

As a -pli argument to the simulator (multiple arguments are allowed):

-pli pliapp1.so -pli pliapp2.so -pli pliappn.so

Note
On Windows platforms, the file names shown above should end with .dll rather than .so.
The various methods of specifying PLI/VPI applications can be used simultaneously. The
libraries are loaded in the order listed above. Environment variable references can be used in the
paths to the libraries in all cases.
See also modelsim.ini Variables for more information on the modelsim.ini file.

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DPI File Loading

This section applies only to external compilation flows. It is not necessary to use any of these
options in the default autocompile flow (using vlog to compile).
DPI applications are specified to vsim using the following SystemVerilog arguments:
Table D-2. vsim Arguments for DPI Application Using External Compilation
Flows
Argument

Description

-sv_lib <name>

specifies a library name to be searched and used. No filename

extensions must be specified. (The extensions ModelSim expects
are: .dll for Win32/Win64, .so for all other platforms.)

-sv_root <name>

specifies a new prefix for shared objects as specified by -sv_lib

Verilog Interfaces to C
The PLI Callback reason Argument
module hello_top;
int ret;
export "DPI-C" task verilog_task;
task verilog_task(input int i, output int o);
#10;
$display("Hello from verilog_task()");
endtask
import "DPI-C" context task c_task(input int i, output int o);
initial
begin
c_task(1, ret); // Call the c task named 'c_task()'
end
endmodule
Compile the Verilog code:
% vlib work
% vlog -sv -dpiheader dpiheader.h hello.v hello_c.c
Simulate the design:
% vsim -c hello_top -do "run -all; quit -f"
# Loading work.hello_c
VSIM 1> run -all
# Hello from c_task()
# Hello from verilog_task()
VSIM 2> quit

The PLI Callback reason Argument

The second argument to a PLI callback function is the reason argument. The values of the
various reason constants are defined in the veriuser.h include file. See the IEEE Std 1364 for a
description of the reason constants. The following details relate to ModelSim Verilog, and may
not be obvious in the IEEE Std 1364. Specifically, the simulator passes the reason values to the
misctf callback functions under the following circumstances:
reason_endofcompile

For the completion of loading the design.

reason_finish

For the execution of the $finish system task or the quit command.
reason_startofsave

For the start of execution of the checkpoint command, but before any of the simulation
state has been saved. This allows the PLI application to prepare for the save, but it
shouldn't save its data with calls to tf_write_save() until it is called with reason_save.
reason_save

For the execution of the checkpoint command. This is when the PLI application must
save its state with calls to tf_write_save().
reason_startofrestart

For the start of execution of the restore command, but before any of the simulation state
has been restored. This allows the PLI application to prepare for the restore, but it
shouldn't restore its state with calls to tf_read_restart() until it is called with
reason_restart. The reason_startofrestart value is passed only for a restore command,
and not in the case that the simulator is invoked with -restore.
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reason_restart

For the execution of the restore command. This is when the PLI application must
restore its state with calls to tf_read_restart().
reason_reset

For the execution of the restart command. This is when the PLI application should free
its memory and reset its state. We recommend that all PLI applications reset their
internal state during a restart as the shared library containing the PLI code might not be
reloaded. (See the -keeploaded and -keeploadedrestart arguments to vsim for related
information.)
reason_endofreset

For the completion of the restart command, after the simulation state has been reset but
before the design has been reloaded.
reason_interactive

For the execution of the $stop system task or any other time the simulation is interrupted
and waiting for user input.
reason_scope

For the execution of the environment command or selecting a scope in the structure
window. Also for the call to acc_set_interactive_scope() if the callback_flag argument is
non-zero.
reason_paramvc

For the change of value on the system task or function argument.

reason_synch

For the end of time step event scheduled by tf_synchronize().

reason_rosynch

For the end of time step event scheduled by tf_rosynchronize().

reason_reactivate

For the simulation event scheduled by tf_setdelay().

reason_paramdrc

Not supported in ModelSim Verilog.

reason_force

Not supported in ModelSim Verilog.

reason_release

Not supported in ModelSim Verilog.

reason_disable

Not supported in ModelSim Verilog.

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The sizetf Callback Function

The sizetf Callback Function

A user-defined system function specifies the width of its return value with the sizetf callback
function, and the simulator calls this function while loading the design. The following details on
the sizetf callback function are not found in the IEEE Std 1364:

If you omit the sizetf function, then a return width of 32 is assumed.

The sizetf function should return -32 if the system function return value is of Verilog
type "integer".

The sizetf function should return 0 if the system function return value is of Verilog type
"real".

PLI Object Handles

Many of the object handles returned by the PLI ACC routines are pointers to objects that
naturally exist in the simulation data structures, and the handles to these objects are valid
throughout the simulation, even after the acc_close() routine is called. However, some of the
objects are created on demand, and the handles to these objects become invalid after acc_close()
is called. The following object types are created on demand in ModelSim Verilog:
accOperator (acc_handle_condition)
accWirePath (acc_handle_path)
accTerminal (acc_handle_terminal, acc_next_cell_load, acc_next_driver, and
acc_next_load)
accPathTerminal (acc_next_input and acc_next_output)
accTchkTerminal (acc_handle_tchkarg1 and acc_handle_tchkarg2)
accPartSelect (acc_handle_conn, acc_handle_pathin, and acc_handle_pathout)

If your PLI application uses these types of objects, then it is important to call acc_close() to free
the memory allocated for these objects when the application is done using them.
If your PLI application places value change callbacks on accRegBit or accTerminal objects, do
not call acc_close() while these callbacks are in effect.

Third Party PLI Applications

accArchitecture

accForeignArch

instantiation of an architecture which is

marked with the attribute FOREIGN and
which does not contain any VHDL statements
or objects other than ports and generics

accArchitecture

accForeignArchMixed instantiation of an architecture which is

marked with the attribute FOREIGN and
which contains some VHDL statements or
objects besides ports and generics

accBlock

block statement

accForLoop

for loop statement

accForeign

accShadow

foreign scope created by mti_CreateRegion()

accGenerate

generate statement

accPackage

package declaration

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Support for VHDL Objects

Table D-3. Supported VHDL Objects (cont.)

Type

Fulltype

Description

accSignal

signal declaration

The type and fulltype constants for VHDL objects are defined in the acc_vhdl.h include file. All
of these objects (except signals) are scope objects that define levels of hierarchy in the structure
window. Currently, the PLI ACC interface has no provision for obtaining handles to generics,
types, constants, variables, attributes, subprograms, and processes.

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IEEE Std 1364 ACC Routines

IEEE Std 1364 ACC Routines

ModelSim Verilog supports the following ACC routines:
Table D-4. Supported ACC Routines
Routines
acc_append_delays
acc_append_pulsere
acc_close
acc_collect
acc_compare_handles
acc_configure
acc_count
acc_fetch_argc
acc_fetch_argv
acc_fetch_attribute
acc_fetch_attribute_int
acc_fetch_attribute_str
acc_fetch_defname
acc_fetch_delay_mode
acc_fetch_delays
acc_fetch_direction
acc_fetch_edge
acc_fetch_fullname
acc_fetch_fulltype
acc_fetch_index
acc_fetch_location
acc_fetch_name
acc_fetch_paramtype
acc_fetch_paramval
acc_fetch_polarity
acc_fetch_precision
acc_fetch_pulsere
acc_fetch_range
acc_fetch_size
acc_fetch_tfarg
acc_fetch_itfarg
acc_fetch_tfarg_int
acc_fetch_itfarg_int
acc_fetch_tfarg_str
acc_fetch_itfarg_str
acc_fetch_timescale_info
acc_fetch_type
acc_fetch_type_str
acc_fetch_value

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acc_free
acc_handle_by_name
acc_handle_calling_mod_m
acc_handle_condition
acc_handle_conn
acc_handle_hiconn
acc_handle_interactive_scope
acc_handle_loconn
acc_handle_modpath
acc_handle_notifier
acc_handle_object
acc_handle_parent
acc_handle_path
acc_handle_pathin
acc_handle_pathout
acc_handle_port
acc_handle_scope
acc_handle_simulated_net
acc_handle_tchk
acc_handle_tchkarg1
acc_handle_tchkarg2
acc_handle_terminal
acc_handle_tfarg
acc_handle_itfarg
acc_handle_tfinst
acc_initialize

acc_next
acc_next_bit
acc_next_cell
acc_next_cell_load
acc_next_child
acc_next_driver
acc_next_hiconn
acc_next_input
acc_next_load
acc_next_loconn
acc_next_modpath
acc_next_net
acc_next_output
acc_next_parameter
acc_next_port
acc_next_portout
acc_next_primitive
acc_next_scope
acc_next_specparam
acc_next_tchk
acc_next_terminal
acc_next_topmod
acc_object_in_typelist
acc_object_of_type
acc_product_type
acc_product_version
acc_release_object
acc_replace_delays
acc_replace_pulsere
acc_reset_buffer
acc_set_interactive_scope
acc_set_pulsere
acc_set_scope
acc_set_value
acc_vcl_add
acc_vcl_delete
acc_version

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IEEE Std 1364 ACC Routines

acc_fetch_paramval() cannot be used on 64-bit platforms to fetch a string value of a parameter.

Because of this, the function acc_fetch_paramval_str() has been added to the PLI for this use.
acc_fetch_paramval_str() is declared in acc_user.h. It functions in a manner similar to
acc_fetch_paramval() except that it returns a char *. acc_fetch_paramval_str() can be used on
all platforms.

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IEEE Std 1364 TF Routines

IEEE Std 1364 TF Routines

ModelSim Verilog supports the following TF (task and function) routines;
Table D-5. Supported TF Routines
Routines
io_mcdprintf
io_printf
mc_scan_plusargs
tf_add_long
tf_asynchoff
tf_iasynchoff
tf_asynchon
tf_iasynchon
tf_clearalldelays
tf_iclearalldelays
tf_compare_long
tf_copypvc_flag
tf_icopypvc_flag
tf_divide_long
tf_dofinish
tf_dostop
tf_error
tf_evaluatep
tf_ievaluatep
tf_exprinfo
tf_iexprinfo
tf_getcstringp
tf_igetcstringp
tf_getinstance
tf_getlongp
tf_igetlongp
tf_getlongtime
tf_igetlongtime
tf_getnextlongtime
tf_getp
tf_igetp
tf_getpchange
tf_igetpchange
tf_getrealp
tf_igetrealp

tf_getrealtime
tf_igetrealtime
tf_gettime
tf_igettime
tf_gettimeprecision
tf_igettimeprecision
tf_gettimeunit
tf_igettimeunit
tf_getworkarea
tf_igetworkarea
tf_long_to_real
tf_longtime_tostr
tf_message
tf_mipname
tf_imipname
tf_movepvc_flag
tf_imovepvc_flag
tf_multiply_long
tf_nodeinfo
tf_inodeinfo
tf_nump
tf_inump
tf_propagatep
tf_ipropagatep
tf_putlongp
tf_iputlongp
tf_putp
tf_iputp
tf_putrealp
tf_iputrealp
tf_read_restart
tf_real_to_long
tf_rosynchronize
tf_irosynchronize

tf_scale_longdelay
tf_scale_realdelay
tf_setdelay
tf_isetdelay
tf_setlongdelay
tf_isetlongdelay
tf_setrealdelay
tf_isetrealdelay
tf_setworkarea
tf_isetworkarea
tf_sizep
tf_isizep
tf_spname
tf_ispname
tf_strdelputp
tf_istrdelputp
tf_strgetp
tf_istrgetp
tf_strgettime
tf_strlongdelputp
tf_istrlongdelputp
tf_strrealdelputp
tf_istrrealdelputp
tf_subtract_long
tf_synchronize
tf_isynchronize
tf_testpvc_flag
tf_itestpvc_flag
tf_text
tf_typep
tf_itypep
tf_unscale_longdelay
tf_unscale_realdelay
tf_warning
tf_write_save

SystemVerilog DPI Access Routines

ModelSim SystemVerilog supports all routines defined in the "svdpi.h" file defined in the IEEE
Std 1800-2005.

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Verilog-XL Compatible Routines

Verilog-XL Compatible Routines

The following PLI routines are not defined in IEEE Std 1364, but ModelSim Verilog provides
them for compatibility with Verilog-XL.
char *acc_decompile_exp(handle condition)

This routine provides similar functionality to the Verilog-XL acc_decompile_expr routine. The
condition argument must be a handle obtained from the acc_handle_condition routine. The
value returned by acc_decompile_exp is the string representation of the condition expression.
char *tf_dumpfilename(void)

This routine returns the name of the VCD file.

void tf_dumpflush(void)

A call to this routine flushes the VCD file buffer (same effect as calling $dumpflush in the
Verilog code).
int tf_getlongsimtime(int *aof_hightime)

This routine gets the current simulation time as a 64-bit integer. The low-order bits are returned
by the routine, while the high-order bits are stored in the aof_hightime argument.

64-bit Support for PLI

The PLI function acc_fetch_paramval() cannot be used on 64-bit platforms to fetch a string
value of a parameter. Because of this, the function acc_fetch_paramval_str() has been added to
the PLI for this use. acc_fetch_paramval_str() is declared in acc_user.h. It functions in a manner
similar to acc_fetch_paramval() except that it returns a char *. acc_fetch_paramval_str() can be
used on all platforms.

Using 64-bit ModelSim with 32-bit Applications

If you have 32-bit PLI/VPI/DPI applications and want to use 64-bit ModelSim, you will need to
port your code to 64 bits by moving from the ILP32 data model to the LP64 data model. To do
this, it is strongly recommended that you consult the 64-bit porting guides for Sun.

PLI/VPI Tracing
The foreign interface tracing feature is available for tracing PLI and VPI function calls. Foreign
interface tracing creates two kinds of traces: a human-readable log of what functions were
called, the value of the arguments, and the results returned; and a set of C-language files that
can be used to replay what the foreign interface code did.

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PLI/VPI Tracing

The Purpose of Tracing Files

The purpose of the logfile is to aid you in debugging PLI or VPI code. The primary purpose of
the replay facility is to send the replay files to support for debugging co-simulation problems, or
debugging PLI/VPI problems for which it is impractical to send the PLI/VPI code. We still need
you to send the VHDL/Verilog part of the design to actually execute a replay, but many
problems can be resolved with the trace only.

Invoking a Trace
Context: PLI/VPI debugging
To invoke the trace, call vsim with the -trace_foreign argument.

Syntax
vsim

-trace_foreign <action> [-tag <name>]

Arguments
<action>

Can be either the value 1, 2, or 3. Specifies one of the following actions:

Table D-6. Values for action Argument
Value

Operation

Result

create log only

writes a local file called

"mti_trace_<tag>"

create replay only

writes local files called

"mti_data_<tag>.c",
"mti_init_<tag>.c",
"mti_replay_<tag>.c" and
"mti_top_<tag>.c"

create both log and

replay

writes all above files

-tag <name>

Used to give distinct file names for multiple traces. Optional.

Examples
vsim -trace_foreign 1 mydesign

Creates a logfile.
vsim -trace_foreign 3 mydesign

Creates both a logfile and a set of replay files.

vsim -trace_foreign 1 -tag 2 mydesign

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Debugging Interface Application Code

Creates a logfile with a tag of "2".

The tracing operations will provide tracing during all user foreign code-calls, including PLI/VPI
user tasks and functions (calltf, checktf, sizetf and misctf routines), and Verilog VCL callbacks.

Debugging Interface Application Code

The flow for debugging PLI/VPI/DPI application code requires that you follow specific steps.
In order to debug your PLI/VPI/DPI application code in a debugger, you must first:
1. Compile the application code with debugging information (using the -g option) and
without optimizations (for example, dont use the -O option).
2. Load vsim into a debugger.
Even though vsim is stripped, most debuggers will still execute it. You can invoke the
debugger directly on vsimk, the simulation kernel where your application code is loaded
(for example, "ddd `which vsimk`"), or you can attach the debugger to an already
running vsim process. In the second case, you must attach to the PID for vsimk, and you
must specify the full path to the vsimk executable (for example, "gdb
<modelsim_install_directory>/sunos5/vsimk 1234").
On Linux systems you can use either gdb or ddd.
3. Set an entry point using breakpoint.
Since initially the debugger recognizes only vsim's PLI/VPI/DPI function symbols,
when invoking the debugger directly on vsim you need to place a breakpoint in the first
PLI/VPI/DPI function that is called by your application code. An easy way to set an
entry point is to put a call to acc_product_version() as the first executable statement in
your application code. Then, after vsim has been loaded into the debugger, set a
breakpoint in this function. Once you have set the breakpoint, run vsim with the usual
arguments.
When the breakpoint is reached, the shared library containing your application code has
been loaded.
4. In some debuggers, you must use the share command to load the application's symbols.
At this point all of the application's symbols should be visible. You can now set breakpoints in
and single step through your application code.

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Appendix E
System Initialization
ModelSim goes through numerous steps as it initializes the system during startup. It accesses
various files and environment variables to determine library mappings, configure the GUI,
check licensing, and so forth.

Files Accessed During Startup

When you invoke ModelSim, it reads several files in file system and configuration
environment.
Table E-1 lists the files that are read during startup. They are listed in the order in which they
are accessed.
Table E-1. Files That ModelSim Accesses During Startup
File

Description

modelsim.ini

Contains initial tool settings; see modelsim.ini

Variables for specific details on the modelsim.ini file
and Initialization Sequence for the search precedence

location map file

Used by ModelSim tools to find source files based on

easily reallocated "soft" paths; default file name is
mgc_location_map

pref.tcl

Contains defaults for fonts, colors, prompts, window

positions, and other simulator window characteristics

.modelsim (UNIX) or
Windows registry

Contains last working directory, project file, printer

defaults, and other user-customized GUI
characteristics

modelsim.tcl

Contains user-customized settings for fonts, colors,

prompts, other GUI characteristics; maintained for
backwards compatibility with older versions (see The
modelsim.tcl File)

<project_name>.mpf

If available, loads last project file which is specified

in the registry (Windows) or $(HOME)/.modelsim
(UNIX); see What are Projects? for details on project
settings

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Initialization Sequence

Initialization Sequence
The numberd items listed below describe the initialization sequence for ModelSim. The
sequence includes a number of conditional structures, the results of which are determined by the
existence of certain files and the current settings of environment variables.
Names that appear in uppercase denote environment variables (except MTI_LIB_DIR which is
a Tcl variable). Instances of $(NAME) denote paths that are determined by an environment
variable (except $(MTI_LIB_DIR) which is determined by a Tcl variable).
1. Determines the path to the executable directory (../modeltech/<platform>). Sets
MODEL_TECH to this path, unless MODEL_TECH_OVERRIDE exists, in which case
MODEL_TECH is set to the same value as MODEL_TECH_OVERRIDE.
Environment Variables used: MODEL_TECH, MODEL_TECH_OVERRIDE
2. Finds the modelsim.ini file by evaluating the following conditions:

If the -modelsimini option is used, then the file path specified is used if it exists; else
use $MODELSIM (which specifies the directory location and name of a
modelsim.ini file) if it exists; else
use $(MGC_WD)/modelsim.ini; else
use ./modelsim.ini; else
use $(MODEL_TECH)/modelsim.ini; else
use $(MODEL_TECH)/../modelsim.ini; else
use $(MGC_HOME)/lib/modelsim.ini; else
set path to ./modelsim.ini even though the file doesnt exist

Environment Variables used: MODELSIM, MGC_WD, MGC_HOME

You can determine which modelsim.ini file was used by executing the where command.
3. Finds the location map file by evaluating the following conditions:

684

use MGC_LOCATION_MAP if it exists (if this variable is set to "no_map",

ModelSim skips initialization of the location map); else

use mgc_location_map if it exists; else

use $(HOME)/mgc/mgc_location_map; else
use $(HOME)/mgc_location_map; else
use $(MGC_HOME)/etc/mgc_location_map; else
use $(MGC_HOME)/shared/etc/mgc_location_map; else

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Initialization Sequence

use $(MODEL_TECH)/mgc_location_map; else

use $(MODEL_TECH)/../mgc_location_map; else
use no map

Environment Variables used: MGC_LOCATION_MAP, HOME, MGC_HOME,

MODEL_TECH
4. Reads various variables from the [vsim] section of the modelsim.ini file. See
modelsim.ini Variables for more details.
5. Parses any command line arguments that were included when you started ModelSim and
reports any problems.
6. Defines the following environment variables:

use MODEL_TECH_TCL if it exists; else

set MODEL_TECH_TCL=$(MODEL_TECH)/../tcl
set TCL_LIBRARY=$(MODEL_TECH_TCL)/tcl8.4
set TK_LIBRARY=$(MODEL_TECH_TCL)/tk8.4
set ITCL_LIBRARY=$(MODEL_TECH_TCL)/itcl3.0
set ITK_LIBRARY=$(MODEL_TECH_TCL)/itk3.0
set VSIM_LIBRARY=$(MODEL_TECH_TCL)/vsim

Environment Variables used: MODEL_TECH_TCL, TCL_LIBRARY, TK_LIBRARY,

MODEL_TECH, ITCL_LIBRARY, ITK_LIBRARY, VSIM_LIBRARY
7. Initializes the simulators Tcl interpreter.
8. Checks for a valid license (a license is not checked out unless specified by a
modelsim.ini setting or command line option).
9. The next four steps relate to initializing the graphical user interface.
10. Sets Tcl variable MTI_LIB_DIR=$(MODEL_TECH_TCL)
Environment Variables used: MTI_LIB_DIR, MODEL_TECH_TCL
11. Loads $(MTI_LIB_DIR)/vsim/pref.tcl.
Environment Variables used: MTI_LIB_DIR
12. Loads GUI preferences, project file, and so forth, from the registry (Windows) or
$(HOME)/.modelsim (UNIX).
Environment Variables used: HOME
13. Searches for the modelsim.tcl file by evaluating the following conditions:

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Environment Variables

use MODELSIM_TCL environment variable if it exists (if MODELSIM_TCL is a

list of files, each file is loaded in the order that it appears in the list); else

use ./modelsim.tcl; else

use $(HOME)/modelsim.tcl if it exists

Environment Variables used: HOME, MODEL_TECH_TCL

That completes the initialization sequence. Also note the following about the modelsim.ini file:

When you change the working directory within ModelSim, it reads the [library], [vcom],
and [vlog] sections of the local modelsim.ini file. When you make changes in the
compiler or simulator options dialog box or use the vmap command, ModelSim updates
the appropriate sections of the file.

The pref.tcl file references the default .ini file by using the [GetPrivateProfileString] Tcl
command. The .ini file that is read will be the default file defined at the time pref.tcl is
loaded.

Environment Variables
When you install ModelSim, the installation process creates and reads several environment
variables for the operating system of your computer. Most of these variables have default
values, which you can change to customize ModelSim operation.

Expansion of Environment Variables

ModelSim shell commands vcom, vlog, vsim, and vmap, do not expand environment variables
in filename arguments and options. Instead, you should expand variables in the shell window in
the usual manner before running these ModelSim commands. The -f switch that most of these
commands support performs environment variable expansion throughout the file.
Environment variable expansion is still performed in the following places:

686

Pathname and other values in the modelsim.ini file

Strings used as file pathnames in VHDL and Verilog
VHDL Foreign attributes
The PLIOBJS environment variable may contain a path that has an environment
variable.
Verilog `uselib file and dir directives
Anywhere in the contents of a -f file

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System Initialization
Environment Variables

The recommended method for using flexible pathnames is to make use of the MGC Location
Map system (see Using Location Mapping). When this is used, then pathnames stored in
libraries and project files (.mpf) will be converted to logical pathnames.
If a file or path name contains the dollar sign character ($), and must be used in one of the places
listed above that accepts environment variables, then the explicit dollar sign must be escaped by
using a double dollar sign ($$).

Related Topics
The vcom command
The vlog command
The vmap command
The vsim command

Setting Environment Variables

Before compiling or simulating, you can specify values for a variety of environment variables to
provide the functions described below.
You set the variables according the operating system of your computer, as follows:

Windows use the System control panel, refer to Creating Environment Variables in
Windows for more information.

Linux/UNIX typically, by modifying the .login script in a shell window.

The LM_LICENSE_FILE variable requires a value; all other variables are optional.

DISABLE_ELAB_DEBUG
The DISABLE_ELAB_DEBUG environment variable, if set, disables vsim elaboration error
debugging capabilities using the find insource and typespec commands.

DOPATH
The toolset uses the DOPATH environment variable to search for DO files. DOPATH consists
of a colon-separated (semi-colon for Windows) list of paths to directories. You can override this
environment variable with the DOPATH Tcl preference variable.
The DOPATH environment variable isnt accessible when you invoke vsim from a UNIX shell
or from a Windows command prompt. It is accessible once ModelSim or vsim is invoked. If

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Environment Variables

you need to invoke from a shell or command line and use the DOPATH environment variable,
use the following syntax:
vsim -do "do <dofile_name>" <design_unit>

DP_INIFILE
The DP_INIFILE environment variable points to a file that contains preference settings for the
Source window. By default, this file is created in your $HOME directory. You should only set
this variable to a different location if your $HOME directory does not exist or is not writable.

EDITOR
The EDITOR environment variable specifies the editor to invoke with the edit command
From the Windows platform, you could set this variable from within the Transcript window
with the following command:
set PrefMain(Editor) {c:/Program Files/Windows NT/Accessories/wordpad.exe}

where you would replace the path with that of your desired text editor. The braces ( {} ) are
required because of the spaces in the pathname

HOME
The toolset uses the HOME environment variable to look for an optional graphical preference
file (see Saving GUI Preferences in an Alternate Location) and optional location map file (see
Location Mapping and MGC_LOCATION_MAP). If $HOME is not present in the
environment, then the toolset will revert to using the current working directory (./). Refer to
modelsim.ini Variables for additional information.

ITCL_LIBRARY
Identifies the pathname of the [incr]Tcl library; set by ModelSim to the same path as
MODEL_TECH_TCL; must point to libraries supplied by Mentor Graphics.

ITK_LIBRARY
Identifies the pathname of the [incr]Tk library; set by ModelSim to the same pathname as
MODEL_TECH_TCL; must point to libraries supplied by Mentor Graphics.

LD_LIBRARY_PATH
A UNIX shell environment variable setting the search directories for shared libraries. It
instructs the OS where to search for the shared libraries for PLI/VPI/DPI. This variable is used
for both 32-bit and 64-bit shared libraries on Linux systems.

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Environment Variables

LD_LIBRARY_PATH_32
A UNIX shell environment variable setting the search directories for shared libraries. It
instructs the OS where to search for the shared libraries for PLI/VPI/DPI. This variable is used
only for 32-bit shared libraries on Linux systems.

LD_LIBRARY_PATH_64
A UNIX shell environment variable setting the search directories for shared libraries. It
instructs the OS where to search for the shared libraries for PLI/VPI/DPI. This variable is used
only for 64-bit shared libraries on Linux systems.

LM_LICENSE_FILE
The toolsets file manager uses the LM_LICENSE_FILE environment variable to find the
location of the license file. The argument may be a colon-separated (semi-colon for Windows)
set of paths, including paths to other vendor license files. The environment variable is required.

MGC_AMS_HOME
Specifies whether vcom adds the declaration of REAL_VECTOR to the STANDARD package.
This is useful for designers using VHDL-AMS to test digital parts of their model.

MGC_HOME
Identifies the pathname of the Mentor product suite.

MGC_LOCATION_MAP
The toolset uses the MGC_LOCATION_MAP environment variable to find source files based
on easily reallocated soft paths.

MGC_WD
Identifies the Mentor Graphics working directory. This variable is used in the initialization
sequence.

MODEL_TECH
Do not set this variable. The toolset automatically sets the MODEL_TECH environment
variable to the directory in which the binary executable resides.

MODEL_TECH_OVERRIDE
Provides an alternative directory path for the binary executables. Upon initialization, the
product sets MODEL_TECH to this path, if set.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

689

System Initialization
Environment Variables

MODEL_TECH_TCL
Specifies the directory location of Tcl libraries for Tcl/Tk and vsim, and may also be used to
specify a startup DO file. This variable defaults to <installDIR>/tcl, however you may set it to
an alternate path.

MODELSIM
The toolset uses the MODELSIM environment variable to find the modelsim.ini file. The
argument consists of a path including the file name.
An alternative use of this variable is to set it to the path of a project file
(<Project_Root_Dir>/<Project_Name>.mpf). This allows you to use project settings with
command line tools. However, if you do this, the .mpf file will replace modelsim.ini as the
initialization file for all tools.

MODELSIM_PREFERENCES
The MODELSIM_PREFERENCES environment variable specifies the location to store user
interface preferences. Setting this variable with the path of a file instructs the toolset to use this
file instead of the default location (your HOME directory in UNIX or in the registry in
Windows). The file does not need to exist beforehand, the toolset will initialize it. Also, if this
file is read-only, the toolset will not update or otherwise modify the file. This variable may
contain a relative pathname in which case the file will be relative to the working directory at
the time ModelSim is started.

MODELSIM_TCL
identifies the pathname to a user preference file (for example, C:\questasim\modelsim.tcl); can
be a list of file pathnames, separated by semicolons (Windows) or colons (UNIX); note that user
preferences are now stored in the .modelsim file (Unix) or registry (Windows); QuestaSim will
still read this environment variable but it will then save all the settings to the .modelsim file
when you exit ModelSim.

MTI_COSIM_TRACE
The MTI_COSIM_TRACE environment variable creates an mti_trace_cosim file containing
debugging information about PLI/VPI function calls. You should set this variable to any value
before invoking the simulator.

MTI_LIB_DIR
Identifies the path to all Tcl libraries installed with ModelSim.

690

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

System Initialization
Environment Variables

MTI_TF_LIMIT
The MTI_TF_LIMIT environment variable limits the size of the VSOUT temp file (generated
by the toolsets kernel). Set the argument of this variable to the size of k-bytes
The environment variable TMPDIR controls the location of this file, while STDOUT controls
the name. The default setting is 10, and a value of 0 specifies that there is no limit. This variable
does not control the size of the transcript file.

MTI_RELEASE_ON_SUSPEND
The MTI_RELEASE_ON_SUSPEND environment variable allows you to turn off or modify
the delay for the functionality of releasing all licenses when operation is suspended. The default
setting is 10 (in seconds), which means that if you do not set this variable your licenses will be
released 10 seconds after your run is suspended. If you set this environment variable with an
argument of 0 (zero) ModelSim will not release the licenses after being suspended. You can
change the default length of time (number of seconds) by setting this environment variable to an
integer greater than 0 (zero).

MTI_USELIB_DIR
The MTI_USELIB_DIR environment variable specifies the directory into which object libraries
are compiled when using the -compile_uselibs argument to the vlog command

NOMMAP
When set to 1, the NOMMAP environment variable disables memory mapping in the toolset.
You should only use this variable when running on Linux 7.1 because it will decrease the speed
with which ModelSim reads files.

PLIOBJS
The toolset uses the PLIOBJS environment variable to search for PLI object files for loading.
The argument consists of a space-separated list of file or path names

STDOUT
The argument to the STDOUT environment variable specifies a filename to which the simulator
saves the VSOUT temp file information. Typically this information is deleted when the
simulator exits. The location for this file is set with the TMPDIR variable, which allows you to
find and delete the file in the event of a crash, because an unnamed VSOUT file is not deleted
after a crash.

TCL_LIBRARY
Identifies the pathname of the Tcl library; set by ModelSim to the same pathname as
MODEL_TECH_TCL; must point to libraries supplied by Mentor Graphics.

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

691

System Initialization
Environment Variables

TK_LIBRARY
Identifies the pathname of the Tk library; set by ModelSim to the same pathname as
MODEL_TECH_TCL; must point to libraries supplied by Mentor Graphics.

TMP
(Windows environments) The TMP environment variable specifies the path to a generated file
(VSOUT) containing all stdout from the simulation kernel.

TMPDIR
(UNIX environments) The TMPDIR environment variable specifies the path to a generated file
(VSOUT) containing all stdout from the simulation kernel. The priority for temporary file and
directory creation is as follows:

$TMPDIR if defined
/var/tmp if available
/tmp if available

VSIM_LIBRARY
Identifies the pathname of the Tcl files that are used by ModelSim; set by ModelSim to the
same pathname as MODEL_TECH_TCL; must point to libraries supplied by Mentor Graphics.

Creating Environment Variables in Windows

In addition to the predefined variables shown above, you can define your own environment
variables. This example shows a user-defined library path variable that you can reference by
using the vmap command to add library mapping to the modelsim.ini file.

Procedure
1. From your desktop, right-click your My Computer icon and select Properties
2. In the System Properties dialog box, select the Advanced tab
3. Click Environment Variables
4. In the Environment Variables dialog box and User variables for <user> pane, select
New:
5. In the New User Variable dialog box, add the new variable with this data
Variable name: MY_PATH
Variable value:\temp\work

6. OK (New User Variable, Environment Variable, and System Properties dialog boxes)

692

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

System Initialization
Environment Variables

Library Mapping with Environment Variables

Once you have set the MY_PATH variable is set, you can use it with the vmap command to add
library mappings to the current modelsim.ini file.
Table E-2. Add Library Mappings to modelsim.ini File
Prompt Type

Command

Result added to modelsim.ini

DOS prompt

vmap MY_VITAL %MY_PATH%

MY_VITAL = c:\temp\work

ModelSim or
vsim prompt

vmap MY_VITAL \$MY_PATH1

or vmap MY_VITAL {$MY_PATH}

MY_VITAL = $MY_PATH

FsmSingle, 507
FsmXAssign, 508
GCThreshold, 509
GCThresholdClassDebug, 510
GenerateFormat, 511
GenerousIdentifierParsing, 512
GlobalSharedObjectList, 513
Hazard, 514
ieee, 515
IgnoreError, 516
IgnoreFailure, 517
IgnoreNote, 518
IgnorePragmaPrefix, 519
ignoreStandardRealVector, 520
IgnoreVitalErrors, 521
IgnoreWarning, 522
ImmediateContinuousAssign, 523
IncludeRecursionDepthMax, 524
InitOutCompositeParam, 525
IterationLimit, 526
LargeObjectSilent, 527
LargeObjectSize, 528
LibrarySearchPath, 529
MaxReportRhsCrossProducts, 530
MessageFormat, 531
MessageFormatBreak, 532
MessageFormatBreakLine, 533
MessageFormatError, 534
MessageFormatFail, 535
MessageFormatFatal, 536
MessageFormatNote, 537
MessageFormatWarning, 538
MixedAnsiPorts, 539
modelsim_lib, 540
MsgLimitCount, 541
msgmode, 542
mtiAvm, 543
mtiOvm, 544
MultiFileCompilationUnit, 545
NoCaseStaticError, 546
695

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
NoDebug, 547
NoDeferSubpgmCheck, 548
NoIndexCheck, 549
NoOthersStaticError, 550
NoRangeCheck, 551
note, 552
NoVitalCheck, 553
NumericStdNoWarnings, 554
OldVHDLConfigurationVisibility, 555
OldVhdlForGenNames, 556
OnFinish, 557
Optimize_1164, 558
osvvm, 559
PathSeparator, 560
PedanticErrors, 561
PliCompatDefault, 562
pragmas, 467
PreserveCase, 564
PrintSimStats, 565
Quiet, 566
RequireConfigForAllDefaultBinding, 567
Resolution, 568
RunLength, 569
SeparateConfigLibrary, 570
Show_BadOptionWarning, 571
Show_Lint, 572
Show_source, 573
Show_VitalChecksWarning, 574
Show_Warning1, 575
Show_Warning2, 576
Show_Warning3, 577
Show_Warning4, 578
Show_Warning5, 579
ShowFunctions, 580
ShutdownFile, 581
SignalForceFunctionUseDefaultRadix,
582
SignalSpyPathSeparator, 583
SmartDbgSym, 584
Startup, 585
std, 588
std_developerskit, 589
StdArithNoWarnings, 590
support, 612
suppress, 591

696

SuppressFileTypeReg, 592
sv_std, 593
SVExtensions, 594
SVFileExtensions, 596
Svlog, 597
SVPrettyPrintFlags, 598
SyncCompilerFiles, 600
synopsys, 599
TranscriptFile, 601
UnbufferedOutput, 602
UndefSyms, 603
UserTimeUnit, 604
UVMControl, 605
verilog, 606
Veriuser, 607
VHDL93, 608
VhdlSeparatePduPackage, 609
VhdlVariableLogging, 610
vital2000, 611
WarnConstantChange, 613
warning, 614
WaveSignalNameWidth, 615
WildcardFilter, 616
WildcardSizeThreshold, 617
WildcardSizeThresholdVerbose, 618
WLFCacheSize, 619
WLFCollapseMode, 620
WLFCompress, 621
WLFDeleteOnQuit, 622
WLFFileLock, 623
WLFFilename, 624
WLFOptimize, 625
WLFSaveAllRegions, 626
WLFSimCacheSize, 627
WLFSizeLimit, 628
WLFTimeLimit, 629
WLFUpdateInterval, 630
WLFUseThreads, 631
.modelsim file
in initialization sequence, 685
purpose, 683
.so, shared object file
loading PLI/VPI/DPI C applications, 663
loading PLI/VPI/DPI C++ applications,
664

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
#, comment character, 442
+protect
compile for encryption
Compile
with +protect, 59
$disable_signal_spy, 374
$enable_signal_spy, 376
$finish
behavior, customizing, 557
$sdf_annotate system task, 408
$typename, 209
$unit scope, visibility in SV declarations, 171

Numerics
1076, IEEE Std, 46
differences between versions, 124
1364, IEEE Std, 46, 161, 162, 219
1364-2005
IEEE std, 51, 413
64-bit time
now variable, 447
Tcl time commands, 448
64-bit vsim, using with 32-bit FLI apps, 678

A
ACC routines, 675
accelerated packages, 113
access
hierarchical objects, 371
AccessObjDebug, 466
Active time indicator
schematic
Schematic
active time indicator, 334
Add cursor
to Wave window, 272
AddPragmaPrefix, 467
AddPragmaPrefix .ini file variable, 467
Algorithm
negative timing constraint, 192
AmsStandard .ini file variable, 468
API, 162
AppendClose .ini file variable, 469
Application programming interface (API), 162
architecture simulator state variable, 446
argc simulator state variable, 446
ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

arguments
passing to a DO file, 453
argv simulator state variable, 446
arithmetic package warnings, disabling, 633
AssertFile .ini file variable, 470
Assertions
break severity, 463
assertions
file and line number, 531
message display, 464
messages
turning off, 633
setting format of messages, 531
warnings, locating, 531
Asymmetric encryption, 78, 79

B
bad magic number error message, 251
base (radix)
Wave window, 298
batch-mode simulations, 40
BindAtCompile .ini file variable, 473
binding, VHDL
default, 128
blocking assignments, 184
bookmarks
Wave window, 286
Break severity
assertions, 463
BreakOnAssertion .ini file variable, 474
Breakpoints
command execution, 364
conditional, 236, 363
deleting, 327
edit, 324, 327
Run Until Here, 367
saving/restoring, 328
.bsm file, 345
buffered/unbuffered output, 602
busses
RTL-level, reconstructing, 262
user-defined, 315

C
C applications
compiling and linking, 663
697

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
C++ applications
compiling and linking, 664
cancelling scheduled events, performance, 152
Case sensitivity
for VHDL and Verilog, 119, 165
causality, tracing in Dataflow window, 341
cell libraries, 200
change command
modifying local variables, 204
chasing X, 341
-check_synthesis argument
warning message, 646
CheckPlusargs .ini file variable, 475
CheckpointCompressMode .ini file variable,
476
CheckSynthesis .ini file variable, 477
Class calling functions, 239
class debugging, 220
garbage collector, 509, 510
GCThreshold .ini variable, 509
GCThresholdClassDebug .ini variable, 510
Class instance
properties, 238
values, 238
Class Instances Window, 226
Class objects
view in Wave window, 222
class objects
breakpoints, 236
in Wave window, 228
logging, 221
viewing, 222
Class path expressions, 231
add to Wave, 232
syntax, 232
values, 232
ClassDebug .ini file variable, 478
clock cycles
display in timeline, 295
collapsing time and delta steps, 260
Color
for traces, 337
Combine Selected Signals dialog box, 308
combining signals, busses, 315
CommandHistory .ini file variable, 479

698

command-line mode, 36
commands
event watching in DO file, 453
system, 445
vcd2wlf, 433
VSIM Tcl commands, 448
comment character
Tcl and DO files, 442
Commonly Used modelsim.ini Variables, 631
compare signal, virtual
restrictions, 315
compare simulations, 249
compilation
multi-file issues (SystemVerilog), 171
compilation unit scope, 171
Compile
encryption
include, 56
VHDL, 118
Compile directive
encryption
include, 56
compile order
auto generate, 90
changing, 89
SystemVerilog packages, 168
Compiler Control Variables
Verilog
Hazard, 514
LibrarySearchPath, 529
MultiFileCompilationUnit, 545
Quiet, 566
Show_BadOptionWarning, 571
Show_Lint, 572
vlog95compat, 612
VHDL
AmsStandard, 468
BindAtCompile, 473
CheckSynthesis, 477
Explicit, 497
IgnoreVitalErrors, 521
NoCaseStaticError, 546
NoDebug, 547
NoIndexCheck, 549
NoOthersStaticError, 550

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
NoRangeCheckr, 551
NoVitalCheck, 553
Optimize_1164, 558
PedanticErrors, 561
RequireConfigForAllDefaultBinding,
567
Show_source, 573
Show_VitalChecksWarning, 574
Show_Warning1, 575
Show_Warning2, 576
Show_Warning3, 577
Show_Warning4, 578
Show_Warning5, 579
VHDL93, 608
compiler directives, 216
IEEE Std 1364-2000, 217
XL compatible compiler directives, 217
CompilerTempDir .ini file variable, 480
Compiling
libraries
with -smartdbgsym option, 105
compiling
overview, 33
changing order in the GUI, 89
grouping files, 91
order, changing in projects, 89
properties, in projects, 98
range checking in VHDL, 121
Verilog, 164
incremental compilation, 167
XL uselib compiler directive, 174
XL compatible options, 173
VHDL, 117
VITAL packages, 138
compiling C code, gcc, 664
component
disabling default binding, 129, 567
component, default binding rules, 128
Compressing files
VCD tasks, 430
ConcurrentFileLimit .ini file variable, 481
configuration simulator state variable, 446
configurations
Verilog, 176
Configure

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

encryption envelope, 52
connectivity, exploring, 335
Constraint algorithm
negative timing checks, 192
context menus
Library tab, 106
Convergence
delay solution, 192
convert real to time, 142
convert time to real, 141
create debug database, 331
Create Patter Wizard, 396
CreateDirForFileAccess .ini file variable, 482
CreateLib .ini file variable, 483
Creating do file, 310, 328
Cursor
add, 272
Cursors
linking, 274
sync all active, 273
cursors
adding, deleting, locking, naming, 269
link to Dataflow window, 349
measuring time with, 273
saving waveforms between, 312
trace events with, 341
Wave window, 273, 312
Custom color
for trace, 338

D
deltas
explained, 130
Data query
$typename function, 209
database
post-sim debug, 331
Dataflow
post-sim debug database
create, 331
post-sim debug flow, 331
sprout limit readers, 336
Dataflow window, 329
extended mode, 329
see also windows, Dataflow window
dataflow.bsm file, 345
699

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Dataset Browser, 258
Dataset Snapshot, 251
datasets, 249
managing, 258
opening, 256
prevent dataset prefix display, 260
view structure, 257
DatasetSeparator .ini file variable, 484
debug database
create, 331
debug flow
post-simulation, 331
debugging
null value, 187
SIGSEGV, 186
debugging the design, overview, 36
default binding
BindAtCompile .ini file variable, 473
disabling, 129, 567
default binding rules, 128
Default editor, changing, 688
DefaultForceKind .ini file variable, 485
DefaultLibType .ini file variable, 486
DefaultRadix .ini file variable, 487
DefaultRadixFlags .ini file variable, 488
DefaultRestartOptions .ini file variable, 489
DefaultRestartOptions variable, 634
delay
delta delays, 130
modes for Verilog models, 200
Delay solution convergence, 192
DelayFileOpen .ini file variable, 490
deleting library contents, 106
delta collapsing, 260
delta simulator state variable, 446
deltas
referencing simulator iteration
as a simulator state variable, 446
dependent design units, 119
design library
creating, 104
logical name, assigning, 107
mapping search rules, 107
resource type, 103
VHDL design units, 118

700

working type, 103

design units, 103
DEVICE
matching to specify path delays, 411
dialogs
Runtime Options, 461
Direct Programming Interface, 651
Direct programming interface (DPI), 162
directories
moving libraries, 109
disable_signal_spy, 374
Display mode
expanded time, 282
display preferences
Wave window, 293
displaymsgmode .ini file variable, 491
distributed delay mode, 203
dividers
Wave window, 301
DLL files, loading, 663, 664
DO files
executing at startup, 585, 690
parameters
as a simulator state variable (n), 446
passing, 453
total number passed, 446
parameters, passing to, 453
startup scripts, 633
vsim command arguments
list of, 446
DO files (macros)
error handling, 457
Tcl source command, 458
DOPATH environment variable, 687
DPI, 162
and qverilog command, 659
export TFs, 645
missing DPI import function, 660
optimizing import call performance, 661
registering applications, 656
use flow, 657
DPI access routines, 677
DPI export TFs, 645
DPI/VPI/PLI, 651
DpiOutOfTheBlue .ini file variable, 492

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
drivers
Dataflow Window, 335
show in Dataflow window, 323
Wave window, 323
dumpports tasks, VCD files, 428
DumpportsCollapse .ini file variable, 493

E
edit
breakpoints, 324, 327
Editing the modelsim.ini file, 460
EDITOR environment variable, 688
editor, default, changing, 688
embedded wave viewer, 339
empty port name warning, 645
enable_signal_spy, 376
Encoding
methods, 78
encrypt
IP code
pulblic keys, 80
undefined macros, 62
vendor-defined macros, 64
IP source code, 51
usage models, 62
protect pragmas, 62
vencrypt utility, 62
vencrypt command
header file, 63, 68
vlog +protect, 76
encrypting IP code
vencrypt utility, 62
Encryption
asymmetric, 78, 79
compile with +protect, 59
configuring envelope, 52
creating envelope, 51
default asymmetric method for Questa, 79
default symmetric method for Questa, 79
envelopes
how they work, 80
for multiple simulators
Encryption
portable, 58
language-specific usage, 61
methods, 78
ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

proprietary compile directives, 75

protection expressions, 55
unsupported, 56
raw, 79
runtime model, 61
symmetric, 78
usage models for VHDL, 67
using include, 56
using Mentor Graphics public key, 81
vlog +protect, 65
encryption
protect compiler directive, 76
securing pre-compiled libraries, 77
Encryption and Encoding methods, 78
ENDFILE function, 136
ENDLINE function, 136
endprotect compiler directive, 76
entities
default binding rules, 128
disabling default binding, 129, 567
entity simulator state variable, 446
EnumBaseInit .ini file variable, 494
environment variables, 686
expansion, 686
referencing from command line, 694
referencing with VHDL FILE variable, 694
setting, 687
setting in Windows, 692
TranscriptFile, specifying location of, 601
used in Solaris linking for FLI, 665
used in Solaris linking for
PLI/VPI/DPI/FLI, 688
using with location mapping, 637
variable substitution using Tcl, 445
error
cant locate C compiler, 645
error .ini file variable, 495
ErrorFile .ini file variable, 496
errors
bad magic number, 251
DPI missing import function, 660
getting more information, 640
severity level, changing, 640
SystemVerilog, missing declaration, 545
Tcl_init error, 646

701

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
VSIM license lost, 647
escaped identifiers, 199
Tcl considerations, 199
EVCD files
exporting, 402
importing, 403
event order
in Verilog simulation, 182
event queues, 182
event watching commands, placement of, 453
events, tracing, 341
examine command
expanded time, 284
exit codes, 643
exiting tool on sc_stop or $finish, 557
expand
environment variables, 686
expand net, 335
Expanded Time
customizing Wave window, 281
examine command, 284
expanding/collapsing sim time, 283
with commands, 284
with menu selections, 284
with toolbar buttons, 284
in Wave, 277
recording, 278
searchlog command, 284
selecting display mode, 282
with command, 283
with menus, 282
with toolbar buttons, 282
switching time mode, 283
terminology, 277
viewing in Wave window, 278
Explicit .ini file variable, 497
export TFs, in DPI, 645
Expression Builder, 289
saving expressions to Tcl variable, 291
Extended system tasks
Verilog, 213

F
Fatal .ini file variable, 498
Fatal error
SIGSEGV, 187
702

File compression
VCD tasks, 430
file I/O
TextIO package, 132
file-line breakpoints
edit, 327
files
.modelsim, 683
files, grouping for compile, 91
Find
stop, 288
FlateLibPageDeletePercentage .ini file
variable, 500
FlateLibPageDeleteThreshold .ini file variable,
501
FlatLibPageSize .ini file variable, 499
floatfixlib .ini file variable, 502
folders, in projects, 96
force command
defaults, 634
ForceSigNextIter .ini file variable, 503
ForceUnsignedIntegerToVhdlInteger .ini file
variable, 504
Format
saving/restoring, 310
format file, 309
Wave window, 309
FPGA libraries, importing, 114
FsmImplicitTrans .ini file variable, 505
FsmResetTrans .ini file variable, 506
FsmSingle .ini file variable, 507
FsmXAssign .ini file variable, 508
functions
virtual, 263

G
generate statements, Veilog, 178
GenerateFormat .ini file variable, 511
GenerousIdentifierParsing .ini file variable,
512
get_resolution() VHDL function, 139
Global signal radix, 299
global visibility
PLI/FLI shared objects, 667
GLOBALPATHPULSE
matching to specify path delays, 411
ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
GlobalSharedObjectsList .ini file variable, 513
graphic interface, 265, 329, 353
grouping files for compile, 91
groups
in wave window, 303
GUI_expression_format
GUI expression builder, 289

H
Hazard .ini file variable, 514
hazards
limitations on detection, 186
hierarchy
driving signals in, 378
forcing signals in, 140, 386
referencing signals in, 140, 382
releasing signals in, 140, 390
Highlight trace, 337
Highlights
in Source window, 360
HOLD
matching to Verilog, 411
HOME environment variable, 688

I
I/O
TextIO package, 132
identifiers
escaped, 199
ieee .ini file variable, 515
IEEE libraries, 113
IEEE Std 1076, 46
differences between versions, 124
IEEE Std 1364, 46, 161, 162, 219
IEEE Std 1364-2005, 51, 413
IgnoreError .ini file variable, 516
IgnoreFailure .ini file variable, 517
IgnoreNote .ini file variable, 518
IgnorePragmaPrefix .ini file variable, 519
ignoreStandardRealVector .ini file variable
.ini compiler control variables
ignoreStandardRealVector, 520
IgnoreVitalErrors .ini file variable, 521
IgnoreWarning .ini file variable, 522
ImmediateContinuousAssign .ini file variable,
523
ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

importing EVCD files, waveform editor, 403

importing FPGA libraries, 114
IncludeRecursionDepthMax .ini file variable,
524
incremental compilation
automatic, 169
manual, 169
with Verilog, 167
index checking, 121
$init_signal_driver, 378
init_signal_driver, 378
$init_signal_spy, 382
init_signal_spy, 140, 382
init_usertfs function, 654
initialization sequence, 684
InitOutCompositeParam .ini file variable, 525
inlining
VHDL subprograms, 122
input ports
matching to INTERCONNECT, 410
matching to PORT, 410
INTERCONNECT
matching to input ports, 410
interconnect delays, 417
IOPATH
matching to specify path delays, 410
IP code
encrypt, 51
public keys, 80
undefined macros, 62
vendor-defined macros, 64
encryption usage models, 62, 67
using protect pragmas, 62
vencrypt usage models, 62
iteration_limit, infinite zero-delay loops, 132
IterationLimit .ini file variable, 526

K
keywords
SystemVerilog, 165

L
-L work, 171
Language Reference Manual (LRM), 46, 162
language versions, VHDL, 124
LargeObjectSilent .ini file variable, 527
703

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
LargeObjectSize .ini file variable, 528
Libraries
compile
with -smartdbgsym option, 105
libraries
creating, 104
design libraries, creating, 104
design library types, 103
design units, 103
group use, setting up, 109
IEEE, 113
importing FPGA libraries, 114
mapping
from the command line, 108
from the GUI, 107
hierarchically, 632
search rules, 107
modelsim_lib, 139
moving, 109
multiple libraries with common modules,
171
naming, 107
others clause, 109
predefined, 112
refreshing library images, 113
resource libraries, 103
std library, 112
Synopsys, 113
Verilog, 170, 436
VHDL library clause, 112
working libraries, 103
working vs resource, 31
working with contents of, 106
library map file, Verilog configurations, 176
library mapping, overview, 31
library maps, Verilog 2001, 176
library simulator state variable, 446
library, definition, 30
LibrarySearchPath .ini file variable, 529
Limiting WLF file, 255
Link cursors, 274
List window
virtual interfaces, 314
LM_LICENSE_FILE environment variable,
689

704

loading the design, overview, 34

local variables
modifying with change command, 204
location maps, referencing source files, 637
locations maps
specifying source files with, 637
lock message, 645
locking cursors, 269
log file
overview, 249
see also WLF files
long simulations
saving at intervals, 251
LRM, 46, 162

M
MacroNestingLevel simulator state variable,
446
macros (DO files)
depth of nesting, simulator state variable,
446
error handling, 457
mapping
libraries
from the command line, 108
hierarchically, 632
symbols
Dataflow window, 345
mapping libraries, library mapping, 107
mapping signals, waveform editor, 403
math_complex package, 113
math_real package, 113
MaxReportRhsCrossProducts .ini file variable,
530
Memories
save to WLF file, 252
memory
modeling in VHDL, 142
memory leak, cancelling scheduled events, 152
message system, 639
MessageFormat .ini file variable, 531
MessageFormatBreak .ini file variable, 532
MessageFormatBreakLine .ini file variable,
533
MessageFormatError .ini file variable, 534
MessageFormatFail .ini file variable, 535
ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
MessageFormatFatal .ini file variable, 536
MessageFormatNote .ini file variable, 537
MessageFormatWarning .ini file variable, 538
messages, 639
bad magic number, 251
empty port name warning, 645
exit codes, 643
getting more information, 640
lock message, 645
long description, 640
metavalue detected, 645
redirecting, 601
sensitivity list warning, 646
suppressing warnings from arithmetic
packages, 633
Tcl_init error, 646
too few port connections, 646
turning off assertion messages, 633
VSIM license lost, 647
warning, suppressing, 641
metavalue detected warning, 645
MFCU, 172
MGC_LOCATION_MAP env variable, 637
MGC_LOCATION_MAP variable, 689
MinGW gcc, 664, 666
missing DPI import function, 660
MixedAnsiPorts .ini file variable, 539
MIxed-language
optimizing DPI import call performance,
661
MODEL_TECH environment variable, 689
MODEL_TECH_TCL environment variable,
690
modeling memory in VHDL, 142
MODELSIM environment variable, 690
modelsim_lib, 139
modelsim_lib .ini file variable, 540
MODELSIM_PREFERENCES variable, 690
modelsim.ini
found by the tool, 684
default to VHDL93, 634
delay file opening with, 635
editing,, 460
environment variables in, 631
force command default, setting, 634

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

hierarchical library mapping, 632

opening VHDL files, 635
restart command defaults, setting, 634
transcript file created from, 632
turning off arithmetic package warnings,
633
turning off assertion messages, 633
modes of operation, 36
Modified field, Project tab, 94
modify
breakpoints, 327
modifying local variables, 204
modules
handling multiple, common names, 171
.mpf file, 83
loading from the command line, 101
order of access during startup, 683
MsgLimitCount .ini file variable, 541
msgmode .ini file variable, 542
mti_cosim_trace environment variable, 690
mti_inhibit_inline attribute, 122
MTI_TF_LIMIT environment variable, 691
mtiAvm .ini file variable, 543
mtiOvm .ini file variable, 544
multi file compilation unit (MFCU), 172
multi-file compilation issues, SystemVerilog,
171
MultiFileCompilationUnit .ini file variable,
545
Multiple simulations, 249

N
n simulator state variable, 446
Name field
Project tab, 93
name visibility in Verilog generates, 178
names, modules with the same, 171
Negative timing
algorithm for calculating delays, 189
check limits, 189
constraint algorithm, 192
delay solution convergence, 192
syntax for $recrem, 190
syntax for $setuphold, 189
using delayed inputs for checks, 197
Negative timing checks, 188
705

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
nets
Dataflow window, displaying in, 329
values of
saving as binary log file, 249
new function
initialize SV object handle, 186
Nlview widget Symlib format, 346
NoCaseStaticError .ini file variable, 546
NOCHANGE
matching to Verilog, 413
NoDebug .ini file variable, 547
NoDeferSubpgmCheck .ini file variable, 548
NoIndexCheck .ini file variable, 549
NOMMAP environment variable, 691
non-blocking assignments, 184
NoOthersStaticError .ini file variable, 550
NoRangeCheck .ini file variable, 551
note .ini file variable, 552
NoVitalCheck .ini file variable, 553
Now simulator state variable, 446
now simulator state variable, 446
null value
debugging, 187
numeric_bit package, 113
numeric_std package, 113
disabling warning messages, 633
NumericStdNoWarnings .ini file variable, 554

O
object
defined, 45
Object handle
initialize with new function, 186
objects
virtual, 261
OldVHDLConfigurationVisibility .ini file
variable, 555
OldVhdlForGenNames .ini file variable, 556
OnFinish .ini file variable, 557
operating systems supported, See Installation
Guide
optimizations
VHDL subprogram inlining, 122
Optimize_1164 .ini file variable, 558
ordering files for compile, 89
organizing projects with folders, 96
706

osvvm .ini file variable, 559

Others clause
libraries, 109
overview, simulation tasks, 28

P
packages
standard, 112
textio, 112
util, 139
VITAL 1995, 137
VITAL 2000, 137
page setup
Dataflow window, 351
parameters
making optional, 454
using with DO files, 453
path delay mode, 203
path delays,matching to DEVICE statements,
411
path delays,matching to
GLOBALPATHPULSE statements,
411
path delays,matching to IOPATH statements,
410
path delays,matching to PATHPULSE
statements, 411
pathnames
hiding in Wave window, 294
PATHPULSE
matching to specify path delays, 411
PathSeparator .ini file variable, 560
PedanticErrors .ini file variable, 561
performance
cancelling scheduled events, 152
PERIOD
matching to Verilog, 413
platforms supported, See Installation Guide
PLI
loading shared objects with global symbol
visibility, 667
specifying which apps to load, 654
Veriuser entry, 654
PLI/VPI, 219
tracing, 678
PLI/VPI/DPI, 651
ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
registering DPIapplications, 656
specifying the DPI file to load, 667
PliCompatDefault .ini file variable, 562
PLIOBJS environment variable, 654, 691
plusargs
changing behavior of, 475
PORT
matching to input ports, 410
Port driver data, capturing, 433
Postscript
saving a waveform in, 310
saving the Dataflow display in, 349
post-sim debug flow, 331
pragmas
protecting IP code, 62
synthesis pragmas, 467
precision
in timescale directive, 179
simulator resolution, 179
preference variables
.ini files, located in, 465
preferences
Wave window display, 293
PreserveCase .ini file variable, 564
preserving case of VHDL identifiers, 564
primitives, symbols in Dataflow window, 345
printing
Dataflow window display, 349
waveforms in the Wave window, 310
printing simulation stats, 565
PrintSimStats .ini file variable, 565
Programming Language Interface, 219, 651
project tab
sorting, 94
project window
information in, 93
projects, 83
accessing from the command line, 101
adding files to, 86
benefits, 83
compile order, 89
changing, 89
compiler properties in, 98
compiling files, 88
creating, 84

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

creating simulation configurations, 94

folders in, 96
grouping files in, 91
loading a design, 91
MODELSIM environment variable, 690
overview, 83
Proprietary compile directives
encryption, 75
protect
source code, 51
protect compiler directive, 76
protect pragmas
encrypting IP code, 62
protected types, 144
Protection expressions, 55
Public encryption key, 81
Public encryption keys, 80

Q
quick reference
table of simulation tasks, 28
Quiet .ini file variable, 566
qverilog command
DPI support, 659

R
race condition, problems with event order, 182
Radix
DefaultRadixFlags .ini variable, 488
set globally, 299
radix
SystemVerilog types, 299
Wave window, 298
range checking, 121
Raw encryption, 79
Readers
sprout limit in dataflow, 336
readers and drivers, 335
real type, converting to time, 142
Recall breakpoints, 328
reconstruct RTL-level design busses, 262
Recording
expanded time, 278
RECOVERY
matching to Verilog, 412
RECREM
707

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
matching to Verilog, 412
redirecting messages, TranscriptFile, 601
refreshing library images, 113
regions
virtual, 264
registers
values of
saving as binary log file, 249
REMOVAL
matching to Verilog, 412
RequireConfigForAllDefaultBinding .ini file
variable, 567
resolution
returning as a real, 139
truncated values, 181, 448
verilog simulation, 179
VHDL simulation, 128
Resolution .ini file variable, 568
resolution simulator state variable, 446
Resolving VCD values, 435
when force cmd used, 435
resource libraries
specifying, 109, 112
restart command
defaults, 634
Restore
breakpoints, 328
Restoring
window format, 310
results, saving simulations, 249
return to VSIM prompt on sc_stop or $finish,
557
RTL-level design busses
reconstructing, 262
RunLength .ini file variable, 569
Runtime
encryption, 61
Runtime Options dialog, 461

S
Saving
window format, 310
saving
simulation options in a project, 94
waveforms, 249
sc_stop()
708

behavior, customizing, 557

SDF, 35, 124
disabling timing checks, 417
errors and warnings, 406
instance specification, 405
interconnect delays, 417
mixed VHDL and Verilog designs, 417
specification with the GUI, 406
troubleshooting, 418
Verilog
$sdf_annotate system task, 409
optional conditions, 416
optional edge specifications, 415
rounded timing values, 416
SDF to Verilog construct matching, 410
VHDL
resolving errors, 408
SDF to VHDL generic matching, 407
SDF annotate
$sdf_annotate system task, 408
SDF annotation
matching single timing check, 419
SDF DEVICE
matching to Verilog constructs, 411
SDF GLOBALPATHPULSE
matching to Verilog constructs, 411
SDF HOLD
matching to Verilog constructs, 411
SDF INTERCONNECT
matching to Verilog constructs, 410
SDF IOPATH
matching to Verilog constructs, 410
SDF NOCHANGE
matching to Verilog constructs, 413
SDF PATHPULSE
matching to Verilog constructs, 411
SDF PERIOD
matching to Verilog constructs, 413
SDF PORT
matching to Verilog constructs, 410
SDF RECOVERY
matching to Verilog constructs, 412
SDF RECREM
matching to Verilog constructs, 412
SDF REMOVAL

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
matching to Verilog constructs, 412
SDF SETUPHOLD
matching to Verilog constructs, 412
SDF SKEW
matching to Verilog constructs, 412
SDF WIDTH
matching to Verilog constructs, 413
Search
stop, 288
searching
Expression Builder, 289
Verilog libraries, 110, 170
searchlog command
expanded time, 284
sensitivity list warning, 646
SeparateConfigLibrary .ini file variable, 570
SETUP
matching to Verilog, 411
SETUPHOLD
matching to Verilog, 412
Severity
break on assertions, 463
severity, changing level for errors, 640
SFCU, 172
shared objects
loading FLI applications
see FLI Reference manual
loading PLI/VPI/DPI C applications, 663
loading PLI/VPI/DPI C++ applications,
664
loading with global symbol visibility, 667
show drivers
Dataflow window, 335
Wave window, 323
Show_BadOptionWarning .ini file variable,
571
Show_Lint .ini file variable, 572
Show_source .ini file variable, 573
Show_VitalChecksWarning .ini file variable,
574
Show_Warning1 .ini file variable, 575
Show_Warning2 .ini file variable, 576
Show_Warning3 .ini file variable, 577
Show_Warning4 .ini file variable, 578
Show_Warning5 .ini file variable, 579

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

ShowFunctions .ini file variable, 580

ShutdownFile .ini file variable, 581
Signal
create virtual, 318
Virtual Signal Builder, 318
signal breakpoints
edit, 324
signal groups
in wave window, 303
Signal radix
set globally, 299
Signal Segmentation Violations
debugging, 186
Signal Spy, 140, 382
disable, 374
enable, 376
$signal_force, 386
signal_force, 140, 386
$signal_release, 390
signal_release, 140, 390
SignalForceFunctionUseDefaultRadix .ini file
variable, 582
signals
combining into a user-defined bus, 315
Dataflow window, displaying in, 329
driving in the hierarchy, 378
hierarchy
driving in, 378
referencing in, 140, 382
releasing anywhere in, 390
releasing in, 140, 390
transitions, searching for, 285
values of
forcing anywhere in the hierarchy, 140,
386
saving as binary log file, 249
virtual, 262
SignalSpyPathSeparator .ini file variable, 583
SIGSEGV
fatal error message, 187
SIGSEGV error, 186
simulating
batch mode, 36
command-line mode, 36
comparing simulations, 249

709

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
default run length, 463
iteration limit, 463
saving dataflow display as a Postscript file,
349
saving options in a project, 94
saving simulations, 249
saving waveform as a Postscript file, 310
Verilog, 179
delay modes, 200
hazard detection, 185
resolution limit, 179
XL compatible simulator options, 198
VHDL, 122
VITAL packages, 138
simulating the design, overview, 35
simulation
basic steps for, 29
time, current, 446
Simulation Configuration
creating, 94
simulation task overview, 28
simulations
event order in, 182
saving results, 249
saving results at intervals, 251
Simulator Control Variables
UndefSyms, 603
simulator resolution
returning as a real, 139
Verilog, 179
VHDL, 128
simulator state variables, 446
single file compilation unit (SFCU), 172
sizetf callback function, 672
SKEW
matching to Verilog, 412
SmartDbgSym .ini file variable, 584
so, shared object file
loading PLI/VPI/DPI C applications, 663
loading PLI/VPI/DPI C++ applications,
664
source code, security, 76, 77
source files, referencing with location maps,
637
source files, specifying with location maps, 637

710

716

ModelSim Users Manual, v10.4a

Third-Party Information
This section provides information on third-party software that may be included in the ModelSim product, including any
additional license terms.

Third-Party Software for Questa and Modelsim Products

End-User License Agreement

The latest version of the End-User License Agreement is available on-line at:
www.mentor.com/eula
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
USE OF ALL SOFTWARE IS SUBJECT TO LICENSE RESTRICTIONS. CAREFULLY READ THIS LICENSE
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HAZARDOUS APPLICATIONS. CUSTOMER ACKNOWLEDGES IT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR TESTING ITS

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DEATH OR PERSONAL INJURY (HAZARDOUS APPLICATIONS). EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THIS EXCLUSION OR
RESTRICTION OF LIABILITY WOULD BE VOID OR INEFFECTIVE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL
MENTOR GRAPHICS OR ITS LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM OR IN CONNECTION
WITH THE USE OF MENTOR GRAPHICS PRODUCTS IN OR FOR HAZARDOUS APPLICATIONS. THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS SECTION 9 SHALL SURVIVE THE TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.

10. INDEMNIFICATION. CUSTOMER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS MENTOR GRAPHICS AND ITS
LICENSORS FROM ANY CLAIMS, LOSS, COST, DAMAGE, EXPENSE OR LIABILITY, INCLUDING ATTORNEYS FEES,
ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF MENTOR GRAPHICS PRODUCTS IN OR FOR HAZARDOUS
APPLICATIONS. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 10 SHALL SURVIVE THE TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.
11. INFRINGEMENT.
11.1.

Mentor Graphics will defend or settle, at its option and expense, any action brought against Customer in the United States,
Canada, Japan, or member state of the European Union which alleges that any standard, generally supported Product acquired
by Customer hereunder infringes a patent or copyright or misappropriates a trade secret in such jurisdiction. Mentor Graphics
will pay costs and damages finally awarded against Customer that are attributable to such action. Customer understands and
agrees that as conditions to Mentor Graphics obligations under this section Customer must: (a) notify Mentor Graphics
promptly in writing of the action; (b) provide Mentor Graphics all reasonable information and assistance to settle or defend the
action; and (c) grant Mentor Graphics sole authority and control of the defense or settlement of the action.

11.2.

If a claim is made under Subsection 11.1 Mentor Graphics may, at its option and expense: (a) replace or modify the Product so
that it becomes noninfringing; (b) procure for Customer the right to continue using the Product; or (c) require the return of the
Product and refund to Customer any purchase price or license fee paid, less a reasonable allowance for use.

11.3.

Mentor Graphics has no liability to Customer if the action is based upon: (a) the combination of Software or hardware with any
product not furnished by Mentor Graphics; (b) the modification of the Product other than by Mentor Graphics; (c) the use of
other than a current unaltered release of Software; (d) the use of the Product as part of an infringing process; (e) a product that
Customer makes, uses, or sells; (f) any Beta Code or Product provided at no charge; (g) any software provided by Mentor
Graphics licensors who do not provide such indemnification to Mentor Graphics customers; or (h) infringement by Customer
that is deemed willful. In the case of (h), Customer shall reimburse Mentor Graphics for its reasonable attorney fees and other
costs related to the action.

11.4.

THIS SECTION 11 IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 8 ABOVE AND STATES THE ENTIRE LIABILITY OF MENTOR
GRAPHICS AND ITS LICENSORS, AND CUSTOMERS SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY, FOR DEFENSE,
SETTLEMENT AND DAMAGES, WITH RESPECT TO ANY ALLEGED PATENT OR COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
OR TRADE SECRET MISAPPROPRIATION BY ANY PRODUCT PROVIDED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.

12. TERMINATION AND EFFECT OF TERMINATION.

12.1.

If a Software license was provided for limited term use, such license will automatically terminate at the end of the authorized
term. Mentor Graphics may terminate this Agreement and/or any license granted under this Agreement immediately upon
written notice if Customer: (a) exceeds the scope of the license or otherwise fails to comply with the licensing or confidentiality
provisions of this Agreement, or (b) becomes insolvent, files a bankruptcy petition, institutes proceedings for liquidation or
winding up or enters into an agreement to assign its assets for the benefit of creditors. For any other material breach of any

provision of this Agreement, Mentor Graphics may terminate this Agreement and/or any license granted under this Agreement
upon 30 days written notice if Customer fails to cure the breach within the 30 day notice period. Termination of this Agreement
or any license granted hereunder will not affect Customers obligation to pay for Products shipped or licenses granted prior to
the termination, which amounts shall be payable immediately upon the date of termination.
12.2.

Upon termination of this Agreement, the rights and obligations of the parties shall cease except as expressly set forth in this
Agreement. Upon termination, Customer shall ensure that all use of the affected Products ceases, and shall return hardware and
either return to Mentor Graphics or destroy Software in Customers possession, including all copies and documentation, and
certify in writing to Mentor Graphics within ten business days of the termination date that Customer no longer possesses any of
the affected Products or copies of Software in any form.

13. EXPORT. The Products provided hereunder are subject to regulation by local laws and United States (U.S.) government agencies,
which prohibit export, re-export or diversion of certain products, information about the products, and direct or indirect products thereof,
to certain countries and certain persons. Customer agrees that it will not export or re-export Products in any manner without first
obtaining all necessary approval from appropriate local and U.S. government agencies. If Customer wishes to disclose any information
to Mentor Graphics that is subject to any U.S. or other applicable export restrictions, including without limitation the U.S. International
Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or special controls under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), Customer will notify
Mentor Graphics personnel, in advance of each instance of disclosure, that such information is subject to such export restrictions.
14. U.S. GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS. Software was developed entirely at private expense. The parties agree that all Software is
commercial computer software within the meaning of the applicable acquisition regulations. Accordingly, pursuant to U.S. FAR 48
CFR 12.212 and DFAR 48 CFR 227.7202, use, duplication and disclosure of the Software by or for the U.S. government or a U.S.
government subcontractor is subject solely to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, which shall supersede any
conflicting terms or conditions in any government order document, except for provisions which are contrary to applicable mandatory
federal laws.
15. THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY. Mentor Graphics Corporation, Mentor Graphics (Ireland) Limited, Microsoft Corporation and
other licensors may be third party beneficiaries of this Agreement with the right to enforce the obligations set forth herein.
16. REVIEW OF LICENSE USAGE. Customer will monitor the access to and use of Software. With prior written notice and during
Customers normal business hours, Mentor Graphics may engage an internationally recognized accounting firm to review Customers
software monitoring system and records deemed relevant by the internationally recognized accounting firm to confirm Customers
compliance with the terms of this Agreement or U.S. or other local export laws. Such review may include FlexNet (or successor
product) report log files that Customer shall capture and provide at Mentor Graphics request. Customer shall make records available in
electronic format and shall fully cooperate with data gathering to support the license review. Mentor Graphics shall bear the expense of
any such review unless a material non-compliance is revealed. Mentor Graphics shall treat as confidential information all information
gained as a result of any request or review and shall only use or disclose such information as required by law or to enforce its rights
under this Agreement. The provisions of this Section 16 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
17. CONTROLLING LAW, JURISDICTION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The owners of certain Mentor Graphics intellectual
property licensed under this Agreement are located in Ireland and the U.S. To promote consistency around the world, disputes shall be
resolved as follows: excluding conflict of laws rules, this Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of
Oregon, U.S., if Customer is located in North or South America, and the laws of Ireland if Customer is located outside of North or
South America. All disputes arising out of or in relation to this Agreement shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts
of Portland, Oregon when the laws of Oregon apply, or Dublin, Ireland when the laws of Ireland apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
all disputes in Asia arising out of or in relation to this Agreement shall be resolved by arbitration in Singapore before a single arbitrator
to be appointed by the chairman of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) to be conducted in the English language, in
accordance with the Arbitration Rules of the SIAC in effect at the time of the dispute, which rules are deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this section. Nothing in this section shall restrict Mentor Graphics right to bring an action (including for example a motion
for injunctive relief) against Customer in the jurisdiction where Customers place of business is located. The United Nations
Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods does not apply to this Agreement.
18. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void, invalid, unenforceable or
illegal, such provision shall be severed from this Agreement and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.
19. MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement contains the parties entire understanding relating to its subject matter and supersedes all prior
or contemporaneous agreements. Some Software may contain code distributed under a third party license agreement that may provide
additional rights to Customer. Please see the applicable Software documentation for details. This Agreement may only be modified in
writing, signed by an authorized representative of each party. Waiver of terms or excuse of breach must be in writing and shall not
constitute subsequent consent, waiver or excuse.
Rev. 140201, Part No. 258976

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