Triple approach verifies clock domain crossing

All-new new approach to CDC verification is engineered to verify that data traversing asynchronous clock domains on ASIC, SoC or FPGA devices is received reliably.

Meridian is a new clock domain crossing (CDC) verification software suite from Real Intent.

Meridian is billed as an all-new new approach to CDC verification, and is engineered to verify that data traversing asynchronous clock domains on ASIC, SoC or FPGA devices is received reliably.

After a quick and easy setup, Meridian verifies both the structure and the protocols required for CDC safe design, then pinpoints design problems with an absolute minimum amount of signoff.

"Every designer agrees that CDC checking software is a necessary ingredient for verification success", says Rich Faris, Real Intent's Vice President of Marketing and Business Development.

"Traditional functional verification solutions do not solve the CDC problem, which has led to widespread use of our tools".

"To address exploding design sizes and keep the signoff effort reasonable, we developed new algorithms".

"In addition, robust support of advanced CDC structures such as FIFOs and complex handshake protocols requires Meridian's functional insight".

"Adding sequential formal analysis, which is a core competency of Real Intent, has allowed us to create this breakthrough solution".

The first strategy is structural analysis.

Meridian quickly verifies that the structural CDC implementation is correct and creates the most concise reports of any solution.

This structural analysis is the fastest and most accurate available due to Real Intent's advanced correlation algorithms and the most complete list of crossing templates in the industry.

Using a second strategy, Meridian addresses crossing safety with an adaptation of sequential formal analysis to CDC problems.

Real Intent's metastability aware formal engine, the Harmonic Convergence Engine, can prove that CDC functionality and protocols are correct.

Proof of functional correctness verifies that no clocking issues slip through undetected.

Formal algorithms act as a powerful filter to make the designer's manual signoff task much easier.

For the third strategy, Meridian leverages existing simulation testbenches with SimPortal software.

SimPortal induces the effects of metastability into regression simulation, automates CDC signoff and supports popular simulators.

To protect from signoff errors, Meridian SimPortal acts as an independent verification step for crossings signed off by the user.

Unlike some competing solutions, all three strategies are supported in the Meridian product at no extra charge.

Meridian is available now.

Current users of Real Intent's Clock Intent Verification software are being offered upgrade options.

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