Add support for Vivado XSIM

[LarsAsplund]

We have started to do some work but we didn't have an issue for it so I'm creating one.

[schluta]

Any update on this? Any help needed?

[LarsAsplund]

@flamebut57 This issue has been dormant awaiting more interest. Maybe we're seeing that now? There were also some tool issues the last time we made some prototyping:

• XSIM didn't support custom resolved types which VUnit uses. This can be worked around but it would be easier if we didn't have to
• XSIM didn't support setting the severity level at which the simulation stops

We can surely use some help. Interested? Finding out if these two issues remains would be a starting point.

[drizzd]

I just tested both issues with Vivado 2013.1, 2016.2 and 2017.2.

• I didn't manage to compile run_types.vhd directly due to the large number of dependencies, but I could compile my own user defined resolved type just fine.
• I could find no option to set the severity level at which the simulation stops. Xsim will continue on severity warning or severity error. It will stop on severity failure. At that point the user can continue the simulation by writing run -all to standard input. Do we need to stop on warning or error?

[LarsAsplund]

@flamebut57 Is this true with all the tested versions? I can't remember what version I used to test user defined resolved types but 2013.1 should have been available at the time. What did your type look like? Was it based on std_logic?

[aodling]

Hi!

Any updates to this issue?

[kraigher]

There is no active work to add support for xsim. There have been some preliminary tests which shows it lacks enough VHDL support of even 93 standard to accept the VUnit code. Also it has a very sluggish startup time which would hinder fast feedback when running multiple small tests. The first issue can be worked arround in VUnit at least but takes effort which I am currently not willing to spend. If anyone in the community wants to give it a go fine by me.

[pedronevestopic]

I am not very experienced in Python, but I am in VHDL. I have some time and I would like to look into this to see if I can make it work with XSIM. Where should I start from? Is there a branch of previous attempts?

[kraigher]

@pedronevestopic I pushed a branch with a work in progress implementation of Python-level support. I do not know how well it works any more. The major blocker is the lack of VHDL support in particular user defined resolved types. Those limitations could be worked around though.

[jklapel]

@pedronevestopic Were you able to make any progress on making the VHDL work in XSIM?

[schluta]

I apologize as I have been very busy in the last year. I did throw together a template to use Vivado Simulator for both Verilog and VHDL. I was attempting to run the instance of Vivado in a VM and I am unsure if I was running into memory issues but if I remember correctly it just hung forever. To clarify I believe the VHDL test stated that there was an unsupported feature ( it was a compile order issue where it stated one file changed after another compiled this may have changed in newer versions I tested on 2015.4 and 2016.4), while the Verilog test just hung forever. I would be happy to share these templates and test cases that I added if they are of interest or use to the community. Let me know if there is any interest. Thanks,

…

On Tue, Feb 13, 2018 at 11:00 AM, jklapel ***@***.***> wrote: @pedronevestopic <https://github.com/pedronevestopic> Were you able to make any progress on making the VHDL work in XSIM? — You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#209 (comment)>, or mute the thread <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AM4_JHx1VF6YLxy6zRws-9ijp9-PR_3Pks5tUdvHgaJpZM4K066i> .

[PetterssonMagnus]

I am interested in xsim support, although from a purely (system)verilog perspective. Would 1f91ea0 be a good starting point should I have some spare time over?

[pedronevestopic]

I’m sorry. I couldn’t do anything . I got a problem on my back and going to need a surgery. I haven’t been able to sit on a computer. If no one has spend any time when I’m recovered in some months , I’ll pick it up.

[kraigher]

@PetterssonMagnus The xsim branch contains a work in progress that you can experiment with