Answers Database

Foundation F1.4 Simulator: Explanations of Functional and Timing modes in Simulator


Record #3932

Product Family:  Software

Product Line:  Aldec

Problem Title:
Foundation F1.4 Simulator: Explanations of Functional and Timing modes
in Simulator



Problem Description:
Keywords: Foundation, Simulation, Timing, Functional, selection

Urgency: Standard

General Description:
There is a pull down menu in the Foundation Simulator that
allows you to select Functional, Timing, Glitch and Unit.

What does the Functional and Timing pull-down options do in the
Foundation Simulator?

Can a timing simulation be done directly from starting the
simulator using the Funct Sim button in the Foundation Project
Manager if the Timing option is selected?


Solution 1:

Q1. What does Functional and Timing options do?
The Functional option provides a simulation with zero delays.
This allows the user to verify the logical function of the
design.

The Timing option provides a simulation with defined delays.
This allows the user to verify that the design operates
properly with real world delays.

Q2. Can a Timing simulation be done by selecting Sim Funct in
the Project Manager, then selecting the Timing option?

No. An accurate timing simulation cannot be done with the above
steps. To do a timing simulation, the design must be run
through the Implementation tools (Implement button), with the
'Produce Timing Simulation Data' box checked (an option in the
Design Manager - Implement - Options). Once the implementation
is done, then select the Sim Timing button in the Project
Manager. This will load the back-annotated netlist of your
design containing accurate delays.

Selecting the Functional option while doing a timing simulation
(Sim Timing button), will place you back into zero delay
simulation.

For more information, please consult the available
documentation (Dynatext, Foundation Online Help, Quick Start
Guide...)

Note: Selecting the Timing simulation option from within a
Functional simulation session (Sim Funct button) will give you
different results from the Functional simulation, but the
delays used for this timing sim are default values defined by
Foundation and are not related to the actual delays that the
design will experience. This flow is not recommended.

For information on the Glitch and Unit options, please consult
the Foundation Online Help.



End of Record #3932