Verification
Eldon Nelson
Improving Constrained Random Testing - Second ...

I am excited to share my latest paper which was recently published at DVCon 2017 in San Jose, California. The full title is:

"Improving Constrained Random Testing by Achieving Simulation Verification Goals through Objective Functions, Rewinding and Dynamic Seed Manipulation"

Abstract
Constrained Random simulation is so critical to modern verification environments that it is a major component of the SystemVerilog language itself. This paper proposes a method that improves how UVM Constrained Random simulations are run. By abstracting the purpose of a simulation to be achieving “Objective Functions” (nominally coverage goals), it is possible to have the simulation autonomously explore deep possibilities from multiple points in time of a standard UVM testbench governed by feedback. This method has a number of benefits including: faster automated coverage closure, an efficient final stimulus solution and proposed higher quality of coverage.

Improving Constrained Random Testing - Second Place Paper at DVCon 2017
Verification
Eldon Nelson
Best Paper at Design and Verification ...

I'm honored to share that my paper:

"Design Patterns by Example for SystemVerilog Verification Environments Enabled by SystemVerilog 1800-2012"

was awarded Best Paper at the Design and Verification Conference (DVCon) 2016.  The link to the final paper is now available.

Best Paper at Design and Verification Conference 2016
Verification
Eldon Nelson
One Parameterized Bind to Bind Them All

The SystemVerilog bind command allows for adding new functionality to a module.  Typically, it is used to add new checking to a RTL block.

I wrote the example code (available on GitHub here) below to demonstrate a feature of bind that allows the binded module to parameterize itself based on where it is being used.  When you think about what bind is actually doing it starts to make sense.

One Parameterized Bind to Bind Them All
Verification
Eldon Nelson
Implicit Port Connections Summary
Implicit Port Connections Summary
Verification
Eldon Nelson
uvm_report_object Feature Examples
uvm_report_object Feature Examples

Public Speaking

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Speaking at DVClub Austin September 2023

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I’m looking forward to speaking at DVClub this Thursday. If you are in Austin you can register for free below.

The topic of my talk will be a paper I presented at DVCon 2021 “Can Formal Outsmart Synthesis: Improving Synthesis Quality of Results through Formal Methods”. If you haven’t been to a DVClub event before, you will enjoy it! There is typically a catered lunch and one or two guest speakers. The talks are of general interest and typically touch verification, but sometimes industry topics.

There is a strong emphasis that the talks are more academic and not a push for tools; in full disclosure, I do work at an EDA tool company today, but this talk is a technique that is universal and looks at possible connections between formal and synthesis. I like the topic and hope you will be able to come!

If you wanted to check out the paper of the slides they are linked below.

DVClub Austin, September 28, 2023
11:30 am - 1:30pm
Norris Conference Center
Register

Owning a Tesla: Going Electric Talk at IEEE Rochester, Minnesota

I had given a talk in September, 2018 titled “Owning a Tesla: Going Electric” for the IEEE Twin Cities Section on my experiences as a Tesla owner with my Model S.

I’m excited to share that I will be giving an updated version of that talk tomorrow, Monday, January 28th 2019, in Rochester, Minnesota for the IEEE Southern Minnesota Section.

The event is free and open to the public. There may even be free pizza ;)

The details and signup for the event are available here - please RSVP to help with planning. Talk at 6:30 pm on Monday, January 28th, 2019.

I’ll be talking on topics below:

  • Cost per Mile versus a traditional ICE (internal combustion engine)

  • Projected Maintence and Costs

  • Engineering tricks that make the Tesla suite of vehicles capable of over 300 miles range

  • How the Tesla Supercharger Network Works

  • Teslas in recent Extreme Cold

  • and more

The slides I used are available here in PDF format.