Object-Oriented SystemVerilog for Verification

Part 2 · OOP for Verification · Intermediate

6topics
30lessons

Testbenches create thousands of transactions at runtime and pass them between threads. Classes provide dynamic objects, inheritance and polymorphism for that reuse, with virtual interfaces bridging to DUT pins.

Learning path through the OOP topics.

Suggested order. Handles first, then reuse, then the pins bridge and bench coordination.

The six topics

Topic	Lessons	Description	Time
Classes, Objects & Handles	5	Classes, objects and handles: the memory model behind every class-based testbench.	40 min
Inheritance and Polymorphism	4	Base handles, virtual dispatch, checked casts, and contracts for reusable testbenches.	30 min
Static, Encapsulation & Parameterized Classes	5	Static members, access control, parameterized classes, constants, enums and extern organization.	40 min
Virtual Interfaces: the Class-to-Pins Bridge	5	Virtual interfaces bridge classes and pins: binding, clocking drives, config, multi-port vifs.	40 min
Events, Semaphores, Mailboxes and Processes	6	Events, semaphores, mailboxes, threads and bench sync patterns in one place.	50 min
OOP Patterns for Testbenches	5	Five hand-built testbench patterns and the UVM standards each one becomes.	40 min

Check yourself A testbench needs 10,000 packets, each with different contents, created while the test runs. Why can modules not do this, and what do classes add?

Modules are built once, before simulation starts, so their number is fixed. A class is a type: new builds a fresh object at run time, as many as the test needs, and a handle keeps track of each one.

Related topics

Up nextClasses, Objects & Handles

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The six topics

Topic	Lessons	Description	Time
Classes, Objects & Handles	5	Classes, objects and handles: the memory model behind every class-based testbench.	40 min
Inheritance and Polymorphism	4	Base handles, virtual dispatch, checked casts, and contracts for reusable testbenches.	30 min
Static, Encapsulation & Parameterized Classes	5	Static members, access control, parameterized classes, constants, enums and extern organization.	40 min
Virtual Interfaces: the Class-to-Pins Bridge	5	Virtual interfaces bridge classes and pins: binding, clocking drives, config, multi-port vifs.	40 min
Events, Semaphores, Mailboxes and Processes	6	Events, semaphores, mailboxes, threads and bench sync patterns in one place.	50 min
OOP Patterns for Testbenches	5	Five hand-built testbench patterns and the UVM standards each one becomes.	40 min

Check yourself A testbench needs 10,000 packets, each with different contents, created while the test runs. Why can modules not do this, and what do classes add?

Modules are built once, before simulation starts, so their number is fixed. A class is a type: new builds a fresh object at run time, as many as the test needs, and a handle keeps track of each one.