Method and system for selectively storing and retrieving simulation data utilizing keywords

• US 7,203,633 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2003
• Issued: 04/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Roesner, Wolfgang, Williams, Derek Edward, Gabele, Carol Ivash
• Primary Examiner(s): Shah; Kamini
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUU, CUONG V
• Application Number:
  US10/366,438
• Publication Number:
  US 20030191617A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,517 Days
• Field of Search: 716/12, 716/18, 716/4, 714/38
• US Class Current: 703/15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/33 Design verification, e.g. functional simulation or model checking

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method of storing data results of simulation processing of a hardware description language (HDL) model based upon keywords. In accordance with the method, result data obtained by simulation of at least one HDL model are received. In association with the result data, a plurality of value sets is received, where each value set includes at least one keyword having an associated value. Each keyword identifies a parameter external to the HDL model that affected the result data. The data results are stored within a data storage subsystem in association with the plurality of value sets such that particular result data are attributable to particular ones of the plurality of value sets. In one embodiment, a keyword table is built in the data storage system that indicates which data subdirectories store result data associated with particular value sets. The result data can then be queried based upon selected keywords of interest, for example, by reference to the keyword table.

Claims

1. A method of storing data results of simulation processing of a hardware description language (HDL) model based upon keywords, said method comprising:

receiving a set of result data obtained by simulation of a testcase by reference to at least one HDL model, said set of result data including multiple event occurrences;

receiving, in association with the set of result data, at least one value set indicating at least one keyword having an associated value, wherein each keyword identifies a parameter external to the HDL model that affected said set of result data, wherein said associated value of said keyword is applicable to all of said multiple event occurrences in said set of result data; and

storing said set of result data within a data storage subsystem in association with said at least one value set.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving in association with the set of result data at least one value set comprising receiving a portion of said set of result data and one of said at least one value set in a same data packet.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said storing includes building a keyword table containing a plurality of entries each associated with a respective one of multiple unique value sets, wherein each entry indicates a storage location for result data attributable to the associated value set.

4. The method of claim 1, and further comprising:

receiving a query specifying parameters including at least one keyword and an associated value for said at least one keyword;

in response said query, accessing said data storage system to obtain result data satisfying said parameters of said query; and

outputting a query response containing said result data satisfying said parameters of said query.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one keyword includes a strategy keyword specifying a testcase strategy.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one keyword includes a frequency keyword specifying an operating frequency of said at least one HDL model.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said result data comprises count event data; and

multiple event occurrences include count event occurrences.

7. A system for storing data results of simulation processing of a hardware description language (HDL) model based upon keywords, said system comprising:

means for receiving a set of result data obtained by simulation of a testcase by reference to at least one HDL model, said set of result data including multiple event occurrences;

means for receiving, in association with the set of result data, at least one value set indicating at least one keyword having an associated value, wherein each keyword identifies a parameter external to the HDL model that affected said set of result data, wherein said associated value of said keyword is applicable to all of said multiple event occurrences in said set of result data; and

means for storing said set of result data within a data storage subsystem in association with said at least one value set.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said means for receiving in association with the set of result data at least one value set comprises means for receiving a portion of said set of result data and one of said at least one value set in a same data packet.

9. The system of claim 7, and further comprising means for building a keyword table containing a plurality of entries each associated with a respective one of multiple unique value sets, wherein each entry indicates a storage location for result data attributable to the associated value set.

10. The system of claim 7, and further comprising:

means for receiving a query specifying parameters including at least one keyword and an associated value for said at least one keyword;

means, responsive said query, for accessing in said data storage system to obtain result data satisfying said parameters of said query; and

means for outputting a query response containing said result data satisfying said parameters of said query.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein said at least one keyword includes a strategy keyword specifying a testcase strategy.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein said at least one keyword includes a frequency keyword specifying an operating frequency of said at least one HDL model.

20. The system of claim 7, wherein:

said result data comprises count event data; and

multiple event occurrences include count event occurrences.

13. A computer readable usable storage medium, comprising:

a data management software within said computer readable storage medium, said data management software including;

instructions for receiving a set of result data obtained by simulation of a testcase by reference to at least one, HDL model, said set of result data including multiple event occurrences;

instructions for receiving, in association with the set of result data, at least one value set indicating at least one keyword Having an associated value, wherein each keyword identifies a parameter external to the HDL model that affected said set of result data, wherein said associated value of said keyword is applicable to all of said multiple event occurrences in said set of result data; and

instructions for storing said set of result data within a data storage subsystem in association with said at least one value set.

14. The computer readable usable storage medium of claim 13, wherein said instructions means for receiving in association with the set of result data at least one value set comprises instructions means for receiving a portion of said set of result data and one of said at least one value set in a same data packet.

15. The computer readable usable storage medium of claim 13, and further comprising instructions for building a keyword table containing a plurality of entries each associated with a respective one of multiple unique value sets, wherein each entry indicates a storage location for result data attributable to the associated value set.

16. The computer readable usable storage medium of claim 13, and further comprising:

instructions for receiving a query specifying parameters including at least one keyword and an associated value for said at least one keyword;

instructions, responsive said query, for accessing in said data storage system to obtain result data satisfying said parameters of said query; and

instructions for outputting a query response containing said result data satisfying said parameters of said query.

17. The program product of claim 13, wherein said at least one keyword includes a strategy keyword specifying a testcase strategy.

18. The program product of claim 13, wherein said at least one keyword includes a frequency keyword specifying an operating frequency of said at least one HDL model.