Situation
A customer wanted to implement a new verification methodology based on SystemVerilog and UVM. This is a difficult skillset to find in the industry, but given our reputation as a leader in design services in new verification methodologies and techniques, they came to us for assistance. They also wanted to immediately deploy this new methodology to verify a very complex design.
Developing a new SystemVerilog/UVM methodology and immediately applying it on a new, complex design is very challenging, both in terms of the expertise required and the ability to quickly deploy experienced engineers.
Tasks
- Understand the customer`s unique requirements, and from that build a SystemVerilog/UVM verification framework
- Build a team to deploy on the first usage of this new methodology on a critical production design
- Ramp team to 20 engineers across 2 primary locations
Actions Taken
We assigned our top verification methodology expert to develop the SystemVerilog/UVM framework, and followed up with our senior engineers to develop the associated verification environment, followed by additional engineers to develop the full set of testbenches, and to deploy and debug the testbenches.
The team of engineers was assembled from both our existing staff, and also with others that were brought in from our network for their specialized skills, all being directed and mentored by our verification lead and senior engineers.
Result
The methodology and environment are in place, and the verification of the production design is ongoing, but well on its way to completion. Even though this is the first usage of this methodology, and it is being immediately used on a new architecture for the design, the team is operating at a high level of efficiency. They are quickly developing testbenches with high functional coverage, that are identifying chip design problems. They are working closely with the design team to close on the identified issues.
Based on our success on this project, we are currently in discussions to broaden our role by supplying consulting services into other areas for this same customer.