An Integrated UVM-TLM Co-Simulation Framework for RISC-V Functional Verification and Performance Evaluation

Fuente: arXiv
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Autores principales: Qiu, Ruizhi, Liu, Yang
Formato: Preprint
Publicado: 2025
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author Qiu, Ruizhi
Liu, Yang
author_facet Qiu, Ruizhi
Liu, Yang
contents The burgeoning RISC-V ecosystem necessitates efficient verification methodologies for complex processors. Traditional approaches often struggle to concurrently evaluate functional correctness and performance, or balance simulation speed with modeling accuracy. This paper introduces an integrated co-simulation framework leveraging Universal Verification Methodology (UVM) and Transaction-Level Modeling (TLM) for RISC-V processor validation. We present a configurable UVM-TLM model (vmodel) of a superscalar, out-of-order RISC-V core, featuring key microarchitectural modeling techniques such as credit-based pipeline flow control. This environment facilitates unified functional verification via co-simulation against the Spike ISA simulator and enables early-stage performance assessment using benchmarks like CoreMark, orchestrated within UVM. The methodology prioritizes integration, simulation efficiency, and acceptable fidelity for architectural exploration over cycle-level precision. Experimental results validate functional correctness and significant simulation speedup over RTL approaches, accelerating design iterations and enhancing verification coverage.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2505_10145
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle An Integrated UVM-TLM Co-Simulation Framework for RISC-V Functional Verification and Performance Evaluation
Qiu, Ruizhi
Liu, Yang
Hardware Architecture
Performance
C.1.1; I.6.4; B.7.2
The burgeoning RISC-V ecosystem necessitates efficient verification methodologies for complex processors. Traditional approaches often struggle to concurrently evaluate functional correctness and performance, or balance simulation speed with modeling accuracy. This paper introduces an integrated co-simulation framework leveraging Universal Verification Methodology (UVM) and Transaction-Level Modeling (TLM) for RISC-V processor validation. We present a configurable UVM-TLM model (vmodel) of a superscalar, out-of-order RISC-V core, featuring key microarchitectural modeling techniques such as credit-based pipeline flow control. This environment facilitates unified functional verification via co-simulation against the Spike ISA simulator and enables early-stage performance assessment using benchmarks like CoreMark, orchestrated within UVM. The methodology prioritizes integration, simulation efficiency, and acceptable fidelity for architectural exploration over cycle-level precision. Experimental results validate functional correctness and significant simulation speedup over RTL approaches, accelerating design iterations and enhancing verification coverage.
title An Integrated UVM-TLM Co-Simulation Framework for RISC-V Functional Verification and Performance Evaluation
topic Hardware Architecture
Performance
C.1.1; I.6.4; B.7.2
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.10145