Debug Unknowns with List Power Related X

The Verdi™ Automated Debug system supports thestandard power formats, Common Power Format (CPF) and Unified Power Format(UPF), as well as the related power-aware debugging capability. This was initially introduced in the 2009.10 newsletter.

To help users debugunknowns and rule out signal unknowns (X value) that are affected by their own power domain being switched off (such unknowns are correct) and focus onunknowns which may be real issues, you can use the Tools > List Power Related X command in nWave. The command will highlight the unknowns which may be realissues (either affected by incorrect HDL or power code) in yellow. The power files must be imported into the Verdi system before this command is accessible.

To use the command,you can select several signals in the nWave signal pane first, click the right mouse button and select the Power > List Power Related X command. The command will analyze and list all X values of the selected signals in the opened List Power Related X form (refer to Figure 1). The rows that are in yellow are theunknowns which may be real issues.

You can continue totrace these issues by selecting any yellow row and clicking the Trace Active X button. Click the Yes, OK and Trace buttons onthe following forms, and then the trace results will be shown in the Trace Active X Results form. See Figure 2 for an example of the trace results. The result concludes that the unknown is caused by a power off from another power domain.

Figure 1: List Power Related X Form

Figure 2: Trace Active X Results Form

For complete details on the usage of the Power Manager window, refer to the Power Manager chapter of the Verdi and Siloti Command Reference Manual (<NOVAS_INST_DIR>/doc/novas.pdf). For more detailed Power Aware Debug commands and usage, please refer to the "Power Aware Debug" application note (KB#8192-2) located in the knowledge base of the SpringSoft support website (support.springsoft.com).