When it comes to VLSI design and digital circuit modeling, verilog and system verilog are two commonly used hardware description languages. These HDLs are used in VLSI design to describe the behavior and structure of electronic circuits. They are both widely used in the semiconductor industry to design and implement integrated circuits (ICs).
They serve as powerful tools for designing and simulating complex digital systems. In this article, we will delve into the key differences between these two HDL’s, shedding light on their features and capabilities in the realm of VLSI design.
Understanding Verilog
Verilog is a hardware description language that has been widely employed in the field of digital design for several decades. It offers a structured and concise way to describe the behavior of digital circuits. It’s a programming language for describing the construction and behaviour of electrical circuits. Verilog began as a proprietary language for hardware modelling at Gateway Design Automation Inc in 1983, then became IEEE standard 1364 in 1995 and began to gain popularity. The verilog testbench is based on module level testing.
Introducing System Verilog
System verilog, on the other hand, is an extension of verilog that adds numerous features and enhancements to facilitate complex digital system design. In 2005, system verilog was designated as a superset of verilog with several additions, and it became IEEE standard 1800, which was upgraded in 2012 as IEEE 1800-2012. System verilog is built on a class-level testbench that is dynamic.
Difference Between Verilog and System Verilog
Now that we have introduced verilog and system verilog, let’s delve into the difference between verilog and system verilog
Abstraction Level
The most notable difference between verilog and system verilog lies in their abstraction levels. verilog is primarily a low-level language that focuses on describing the hardware behavior in detail. In contrast, system verilog provides higher-level abstractions, allowing for more concise and efficient modeling of complex systems.
Verification Capabilities
System verilog stands out with its comprehensive built-in verification features, making it a preferred choice for verification engineers. Verilog, while capable of verification, but it lacks the advanced constructs and libraries.
Testbench Development
System Verilog offers more advanced and efficient testbench development capabilities. It provides constructs for creating reusable testbench components and simplifies the generation of stimulus and checkers for verifying the functionality of digital designs.
Object-Oriented Programming
System verilog introduces object-oriented programming concepts, such as classes and objects, which enable better code organization and reusability. Verilog lacks these high-level programming features.
Conclusion
In the ever-evolving semiconductor industry, proficiency in hardware description languages becomes increasingly vital. In conclusion, these HDLs are essential tools for VLSI designers, and learning these languages is a prerequisite for most VLSI design jobs. VLSI design course typically teaches students how to use hardware description languages to design, simulate, and verify circuits. These languages are also used in a variety of other VLSI design tasks, such as synthesis, static timing analysis, and formal verification.
VLSI training and design courses are highly recommended in equipping individuals with skills and knowledge regarding Verilog and system Verilog. Chipedge is a renowned VLSI training institute known for its industry-focused courses and expert trainers. As an advocate for VLSI training, Chipedge empowers individuals with the expertise required to thrive in the semiconductor and VLSI industries. Join Chipedge today to excel in the VLSI industry.