Applications of Logic Analyzers in FPGA and ASIC design verification

Overview

FPGA stands for Field-Programmable Gate Array. It’s a type of integrated circuit that can be configured by a designer after manufacturing. FPGA design verification involves the process of ensuring that the design of the digital circuit implemented on the FPGA works correctly as intended. This process typically includes creating testbenches, which are sets of stimuli and expected responses, to simulate and validate the behavior of the design. Verification engineers run simulations to test various scenarios, checking if the design responds correctly. Once the simulation results align with the expected outcomes, the design is considered verified and ready for implementation. ASIC stands for Application-Specific Integrated Circuit. Unlike FPGAs, ASICs are custom-designed integrated circuits that are optimized for specific applications. ASIC design verification is the process of confirming the correctness of the designed digital circuit before it’s fabricated. It involves creating a suite of test cases, often using advanced verification methodologies like constrained-random testing, formal verification, and emulation. These methods aim to thoroughly test the design for all possible scenarios and corner cases. The goal is to uncover and rectify any design flaws, errors, or performance issues prior to the costly fabrication stage.

Depending on specific features and functions, GAO Tek’s Logic Analyzers are sometimes referred to as Digital Analyzers, Logic State Analyzers, Digital Circuit Analyzers, Digital Pattern Analyzers, or Logic State Recorders.

GAO Tek’s Logic Analyzers have the following applications in FPGA and ASIC design verification:

Comprehensive Signal Analysis: Logic analyzers provided by GAO Tek enable thorough analysis of digital signals within FPGA architectures, aiding in the identification of timing violations and signal integrity issues specific to FPGAs. In ASIC design verification, GAO’s logic analyzers offer high-speed data acquisition and protocol analysis, facilitating meticulous examination of intricate custom-designed circuits.
Functional Error Identification: In the context of FPGA design verification, logic analyzers play a crucial role in capturing and analyzing digital signals, helping us uncover functional errors unique to FPGA architectures. GAO’s logic analyzers offer advanced capabilities that empower verification engineers to delve into the specifics of ASIC designs, conducting thorough tests encompassing constrained-random testing and formal verification.
Enhanced Testing Methodologies: Logic analyzers enhance the verification process for both FPGA and ASIC designs by allowing us to perform in-depth tests and analyses. Within GAO’s logic analyzers, the amalgamation of FPGA and ASIC-focused functionalities expedites the identification and resolution of potential design flaws, resulting in more robust and reliable integrated circuits.
Efficiency and Accuracy Boost: GAO’s logic analyzers contribute to the efficiency and accuracy of FPGA and ASIC design verification, offering advanced features tailored to the specific requirements of both design paradigms. Verification engineers can leverage GAO’s logic analyzers to streamline their processes and ensure the quality of the final integrated circuits.
Cost-Effective Solution: Logic analyzers provided by GAO Tek offer a cost-effective means of validating FPGA and ASIC designs, reducing the likelihood of expensive rework and fabrication iterations. By pinpointing issues early in the verification process, GAO’s logic analyzers contribute to significant cost savings for design teams.

More information on Logic Analyzers and their applications in other industries can be found on this page:

Electrical Logic Analyzers

This category page lists related Logic Analyzers:

Electrical-overview

GAO Tek’s targeted markets are North America, particularly the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe. Hence, in addition to English, this website gaotek.com is offered in other major languages of North America and Europe such as Spanish, French, German, Italian, Polish, Ukrainian, Romanian, Russian, Dutch, Turkish, Greek, Hungarian, Swedish, Czech, Portuguese, Serbian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Slovak, Catalan, Lithuanian, Bosnian, Galician, Slovene, Latvian, Estonian, Welsh, Icelandic, and Irish.

Complying with Industry Standards

GAO Tek’s Logic Analyzers comply or help our customers comply with the industry standards such as:

IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG)
ISO 26262 (Automotive Functional Safety)
DO-254 (Aviation Hardware)
MIL-STD-883 (Military Electronics)
ASIL (Automotive Safety Integrity Level)
PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express)
USB (Universal Serial Bus)
ISO 13485 (Medical Devices)

Complying with Government Regulations

GAO Tek’s Logic Analyzers comply or help our customers comply with the U.S. government regulations such as:

ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations)
EAR (Export Administration Regulations)
NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) SP 800-171

GAO Tek’s Logic Analyzers comply or help our clients comply with the Canadian regulations such as:

Controlled Goods Program (CGP)
NRC (National Research Council) Export Control List (ECL)

GAO Tek’s Logic Analyzers comply or help our clients comply with the Mexican regulations such as:

NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana) Certification
COFETEL (Federal Telecommunications Commission) Regulations

GAO Tek’s Logic Analyzers comply or help our clients comply with the European regulations such as:

RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) Directive
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulation
CE (Conformité Européenne) Marking
ISO 26262 (Automotive Functional Safety) for automotive electronics in some European countries.

Case Studies of Logic Analyzers in FPGA and ASIC Design Verification

Logic Analyzers are sometimes called as Logic Sniffers or Digital Analyzers.

Here are some practical examples of using Logic Analyzers in FPGA and ASIC design verification:

A company in the Northeast used a logic analyzer to debug a problem with their FPGA-based system. The system was crashing randomly, and the engineers were unable to determine the cause. The logic analyzer allowed them to see the signal activity on the FPGA during the crash, which helped them to identify the faulty logic.

Another company in the Northeast used a logic analyzer to verify the functionality of their ASIC design. The design was for a high-speed data converter, and the engineers needed to ensure that it was working correctly at its full operating frequency. The logic analyzer allowed them to capture and analyze the signal activity on the ASIC, which helped them to verify its functionality.

A company in the Midwest used a logic analyzer to troubleshoot a problem with their FPGA-based test equipment. The equipment was not passing all of the test cases, and the engineers were unable to determine the cause. The logic analyzer allowed them to see the signal activity on the FPGA during the test, which helped them to identify the source of the problem.

Another company in the Midwest used a logic analyzer to characterize the performance of their ASIC design. The design was for a high-performance microprocessor, and the engineers needed to measure its timing and power consumption. The logic analyzer allowed them to capture and analyze the signal activity on the ASIC, which helped them to characterize its performance.

A company in the South used a logic analyzer to debug a problem with their FPGA-based medical device. The device was not working correctly, and the engineers were unable to determine the cause. The logic analyzer allowed them to see the signal activity on the FPGA during the operation of the device, which helped them to identify the faulty logic.

Another company in the South used a logic analyzer to verify the security of their ASIC design. The design was for a smart card, and the engineers needed to ensure that it was resistant to attack. The logic analyzer allowed them to capture and analyze the signal activity on the ASIC, which helped them to identify potential security vulnerabilities.

A company in the West used a logic analyzer to troubleshoot a problem with their FPGA-based telecommunications equipment. The equipment was not working correctly, and the engineers were unable to determine the cause. The logic analyzer allowed them to see the signal activity on the FPGA during the operation of the equipment, which helped them to identify the faulty logic.

Another company in the West used a logic analyzer to verify the performance of their ASIC design. The design was for a high-speed networking chip, and the engineers needed to measure its timing and power consumption. The logic analyzer allowed them to capture and analyze the signal activity on the ASIC, which helped them to characterize its performance.

A company in Canada used a logic analyzer to debug a problem with their FPGA-based automotive electronics. The system was not working correctly, and the engineers were unable to determine the cause. The logic analyzer allowed them to see the signal activity on the FPGA during the operation of the system, which helped them to identify the faulty logic.

Another company in Canada used a logic analyzer to verify the functionality of their ASIC design. The design was for a new type of radar sensor, and the engineers needed to ensure that it was working correctly. The logic analyzer allowed them to capture and analyze the signal activity on the ASIC, which helped them to verify its functionality.

A company in Mexico used a logic analyzer to troubleshoot a problem with their FPGA-based medical device. The device was not working correctly, and the engineers were unable to determine the cause. The logic analyzer allowed them to see the signal activity on the FPGA during the operation of the device, which helped them to identify the faulty logic.

Another company in Mexico used a logic analyzer to verify the security of their ASIC design. The design was for a new type of smart card, and the engineers needed to ensure that it was resistant to attack. The logic analyzer allowed them to capture and analyze the signal activity on the ASIC, which helped them to identify potential security vulnerabilities.

A company in Europe used a logic analyzer to debug a problem with their FPGA-based telecommunications equipment. The equipment was not working correctly, and the engineers were unable to determine the cause. The logic analyzer allowed them to see the signal activity on the FPGA during the operation of the equipment, which helped them to identify the faulty logic.

Another company in Europe used a logic analyzer to verify the performance of their ASIC design. The design was for a new type of microprocessor, and

GAO RFID Inc. GAO RFID, a sister company of GAO Tek Inc., is ranked as a top 10 RFID supplier in the world. Its RFID, BLE, and IoT Logic Analyzers have also been widely used in FPGA and ASIC design verification.

Use of Logic Analyzers with Leading Software and Cloud Services in FPGA and ASIC Design Verification

GAO Tek has used or has facilitated its customers to use GAO’s Logic Analyzers with some of the leading software and cloud services in their applications. Examples of such leading software and cloud services include:

Application Software:

MATLAB
LabVIEW
Altera Quartus
ModelSim
Sigrok
Logic Analyzer Pro
VisualSignalAnalyzer
ChipScope Pro
LogicAnalyzer by Saleae
Xilinx Vivado Logic Analyzer
Altera SignalTap
PulseView
WaveForms by Digilent
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Microsoft Azure
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
IBM Cloud
Xilinx Cloud
Synopsys Cloud Solution
Cadence Cloud
Mentor Graphics Cloud

GAO Tek’s Logic Analyzers and their applications in other industries are listed on this page:

Electrical Logic Analyzers

Other related Logic Analyzers can be found at this category page:

Electrical-overview

Meeting Customers’ Demands

Large Choice of Logic Analyzers

In order to satisfy the diversified needs of their corporate customers, GAO Tek Inc. and its sister company GAO RFID Inc. together offer a wide choice of testing and measurement devices, network Logic Analyzers, RFID, BLE, IoT, and drones.

Fast Delivery

To shorten the delivery to our customers, GAO has maintained a large stock of its Logic Analyzers and is able to ship overnight within the continental U.S. and Canada, and fast delivery to Mexico and Europe from the nearest warehouse.

Local to Our Customers

We are located in both the U.S. and Canada. We travel to customers’ premises if necessary. Hence, we provide a very strong local support to our customers in North America, particularly the U.S., Canada and Mexico and Europe. Furthermore, we have built partnerships with some integrators, consulting firms and other service providers in different cities to further strengthen our services. Here are some of the service providers in FPGA and ASIC design verification we have worked with to serve our joint customers:

Accenture
IBM Global Services
Deloitte
Capgemini
Cognizant
Infosys
Wipro
HCL Technologies
PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
KPMG
Ernst & Young
Booz Allen Hamilton
McKinsey & Company
Boston Consulting Group
Slalom
CGI
Compugen
Sierra Systems
Long View Systems
TELUS
Softtek
Grupo TECNO
ISM
Indra
Sofftek
Atos
Capgemini
Accenture
CGI
T-Systems

GAO Has Many Customers in FPGA and ASIC Design Verification

The Logic Analyzers from both GAO Tek Inc. and GAO RFID Inc. have been widely used in FPGA and ASIC design verification by many customers, including some leading companies. Here is more information on applications of GAO RFID Inc.’s Logic Analyzers in FPGA and ASIC design verification.

Research, Technology & Professional Services Industries | RFID Solutions

Here are some of GAO’s customers in FPGA and ASIC design verification: