CHAPTER 3 DAI Signalscan Windows Overview
Overview 3-3
Control Window 3-3
Signalscan Command Line Pane 3-5
Simulator Command Line Pane 3-6
Design Browser 3-7
Waveform Window 3-10
Source Code Window 3-13
Register Window 3-17
Schematic Tracer 3-19
Events Window 3-21
Breakpoints Window 3-22
Overview
This chapter describes the main features of each of the DAI Signalscan windows. Using the windows is discussed in more depth in "Working with DAI Signalscan".
Control Window
The Control Window (Figure 3-1) is the first window displayed when you invoke Signalscan.
The Control Window is initially displayed with one pane: the Signalscan Command Line Pane. You can enter Signalscan commands directly into this pane. See "DAI Signalscan Command Language Reference", for a description of the Signalscan command language.
The second pane, the Simulator Command Line Pane, is displayed when the simulator is invoked. You can enter simulator commands in this pane.
Table 3-1 describes the features of the Control Window, and Figure 3-1 shows where these features are located in the window.
Table 3-1. Control Window Features
Feature
|
Description
|
|
Source File Field
|
Displays the name of the source file.
|
|
Line Number Field
|
Displays the line number where the simulator stopped in the source file.
|
|
Sim Status Field
|
Displays the current status of the simulator. The status can be Running, Stopped, No Simulator, or Stopped at Breakpoint(s).
|
|
Scope Field
|
Displays the current scope/instance.
|
|
Scope Type Field
|
Displays the type of the current scope. The type can be module, task, function, or block.
|
|
Scope Name Field
|
Displays the name of the current scope.
|
|
Simulator Button
|
Used to start or terminate the simulator being used.
|
|
Current Sim Time Field
|
Displays the current simulation time.
|
|
Pause Button
|
Used to temporarily stop the progress of the simulator.
|
|
Step Button
|
Used to step through one statement of source code.
|
|
Continue Button
|
Used to continue the simulation, according to the current setting of the Continue Drop-Down List.
|
|
Continue Drop-Down List
|
Displays options to control continuation of the simulation.
Forever
continues until a breakpoint,
$stop
, or end of simulation is reached.
For
uses the value from the Continue Time Field and continues for the specified amount of time, or until a
Forever
condition is reached.
Until
uses the value from the Continue Time Field and runs until the specified amount of time or until a
Forever
condition is reached.
|
|
Continue Time Field
|
Used as an argument for the Continue button. Pressing
Return
in this field is equivalent to selecting the Continue button. This field is disabled if
Forever
is selected in the Continue Drop-Down List.
|
|
Signalscan Command Line Pane
|
Used to enter commands directly into Signalscan. See "Signalscan Command Line Pane".
|
|
Simulator Command Line Pane
|
Used to enter commands to your simulator. See "Simulator Command Line Pane".
|
Signalscan Command Line Pane
The Signalscan Command Line Pane is used to enter commands directly into Signalscan. See "DAI Signalscan Command Language Reference", for a list and description of the commands.
In the Command Line Pane:
-
· Anything highlighted is copied into a buffer.
-
· To highlight a word, double-click your left mouse button on that word.
-
· To highlight an area, click and drag the left mouse button.
-
· Click the middle mouse button to paste everything in the buffer at the end of the current input line.
The following keys can be used to edit the text in the Command Line Pane:
Table 3-2. Command Line Pane Text Editing Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard Shortcut
|
Meaning
|
|
Ctrl+x
or
Ctrl+u
|
Delete the current input line up to the prompt.
|
|
Ctrl+w
|
Delete the last word on the input line from the cursor position.
|
|
Ctrl+c
|
Stop a running simulator.
|
|
Ctrl+d
|
Terminate the simulator.
|
Simulator Command Line Pane
The Simulator Command Line Pane is activated after starting a simulator with the
Init
Simulator
button. You can enter commands into the Simulator Command Line Pane to interact directly with the simulator. Any output from the simulator is displayed in this pane.
NOTE: The Simulator Command Line Pane does not work with Synopsis VCS.
If Signalscan is invoked by a simulator, the Simulator Command Line Pane is not activated, and input/output to/from the simulator is from where the simulator was invoked.
Design Browser
The Design Browser (Figure 3-2) is used to navigate your design hierarchy, view scopes, and select variables for analysis. Filter options allow you to focus on specific data. The Design Browser's history manager lets you quickly select any window's ten most recently viewed hierarchy locations. In addition, multiple Design Browsers can be opened at any hierarchy level, so you can efficiently switch between different sections of your design.
Table 3-3 describes the features of the Design Browser, and Figure 3-2 shows where these features are located in the window.
Table 3-3. Design Browser Features
Feature
|
Description
|
|
Current File Drop-Down List
|
Displays the name of the current SST2 Database being browsed. The drop-down list shows all the open simulation files.
You can directly edit the Current File field to view any simulation file. If a file entered in this field has not yet been opened, you are asked to confirm that you want to open the file.
|
|
Current Instance Drop-Down List
|
Displays the current instance that is being browsed. The drop-down list shows all the instances that have been used. An instance is considered used if some variables from that instance have been previously selected and added to the To Add Pane.
By default, the saved scopes do not remember the simulation file they came from and can later be used with any simulation file. The scope history can be saved with the simulation file by simply changing the preference (select the
Options>Define Preferences
menu option, the
General
button, and
Include File Name With Scope History
).
If the current design file changes and the scope path exists in that design, the scope path remains the same, but exists under the new design. If the scope path does not exist in the new design file, the scope is set to the top level of that design.
You can directly edit the Current Instance field to set Current Instance to any instance.
|
|
Bookmarks Drop-Down List
|
Contains the list of bookmarks you created. To enter a bookmark for the current scope, select
Edit>Create>Bookmark
. By default, the current scope is saved, along with the design file. To save only the scope name without the design file, select
Options>Define Preferences>General>Include File Name With Bookmarks
. To edit the Bookmark List, select
Options>Define Bookmarks
.
|
|
Instances Pane
|
Lists the child instances in the currently selected instance.
|
|
Instances Filter Field
|
Allows you to filter the instances that are displayed in the Instances Pane. Only instancee names that match the filter pattern are displayed. Asterisk (
*
) is a wild card that matches zero or more characters; it is also the default filter and causes all instances to be displayed. Question mark (
?
) matches any single character. See also the
View>Scope Filter
menu option.
|
|
Bus Templates Field
|
Can be edited to automatically create buses. Refer to "Advanced Features", for more information on creating buses.
|
|
Variables Pane
|
Lists all the variables that belong to the current instance.
|
|
Nodes/Variables Filter Field
|
Allows you to filter the variables that are displayed in the Variables Pane. Only variable names that match the filter pattern are displayed. Asterisk (
*
) is a wild card that matches zero or more characters; it is also the default filter and causes all variables to be displayed. Question mark (
?
) matches any single character. See also the
View>Var Filter
menu option.
|
|
Variable Type Buttons
|
Allow you to limit the variables displayed in the Variables Pane. Buttons allow you to display inputs, outputs, inouts, and non-port variables. See also the
View>Var Filter
menu option.
|
|
Groups Drop-Down List
|
Displays the group that any selected variables will be added to. The drop-down list shows all groups. See also the
Edit>Create>Group
menu option.
|
|
To Add Pane
|
Displays all the signals in the group named at the top of the list. The drop-down list shows all available signal groups.
To add a new signal to a group, select the group in the To Add Pane and the signal(s) in the Variables Pane. The insertion point for new signals is indicated by the insertion marker (horizontal yellow line) in the To Add Pane, and may be positioned with the right mouse button.
To add a signal from the To Add Pane to the Waveform Window, select the
AddToWave
button or the
Control>Add Variables
or
Control>Add Variables & Close Window
menu options.
|
Waveform Window
The Waveform Window (Figure 3-3) is used to display the values of the variables used in your simulation so that you can analyze the variables. You can monitor the progress of a simulation by looking at the variables as the simulation runs.
Signals are displayed in the Waveform Window when you add variables from the Design Browser, the Source Code Window, or the command line.
The Waveform Window allows you to view the results of multiple simulations from multiple simulator types all in the same window. The Waveform Window displays signal strengths as well as Sequence Time. In addition, analog and digital waveforms can be freely intermixed within the same window. The Waveform Window can be used interactively during simulation, as well as in post-simulation analysis.
Table 3-4 describes the features of the Waveform Window, and Figure 3-3 shows where these features are located in the window.
Table 3-4. Waveform Window Features
Feature
|
Description
|
|
Time Status Pane
|
Displays the start time and end time of the simulation, the time difference between Cursor1 and Cursor2, and TimeA. You can drag cursors and markers by pressing the left or middle mouse button over the cursor or marker in this pane, and dragging it to a new location (at least five pixels away from its initial location).
|
|
Times Pane
|
Displays a ruler with time units. It also displays the name and value of all cursors and markers that are within the current viewing time range.
|
|
Cursor1/Cursor2
|
Two independent cursors that can be used to measure the time between transitions. To move Cursor1 to the next or previous change of a variable, select the variable name in the Names Pane, and select
Control>Variable Change>Next
or
Control>Variable Change>Previous
.
|
|
TimeA
|
The value of TimeA is the same across all windows. TimeA is used as a link between the windows.
|
|
Names Pane
|
Displays the variables selected for display. See "Using the Names Pane". Variables displayed in the Names Pane are organized into groups. See "Using Groups". By default, Signalscan creates a Group A for you when you first add variables to the Waveform Window if no groups have yet been created. You can use the
Edit>Find
and
Edit>Find Next
menu options to search for a variable name in the Names Pane.
|
|
Insertion Marker
|
A yellow horizontal line that marks where variables are added to a group in the Names Pane.
|
|
Height Bracket (])
|
A
]
appears to the right of the variable name for analog waveforms and transaction variables. You can drag the bracket to change the display of an analog variable or view more of a transaction box. See "Height Bracket".
|
|
Waveform Pane
|
Displays the waveforms of the corresponding variables shown in the Names Pane for analysis. You can define markers to quickly jump to the marked location. Cursor1 and Cursor2 can be dragged to a new location in this pane by pressing the left (Cursor1) or middle (Cursor2) mouse button and dragging the cursor to a new location. Double-clicking moves both the TimeA marker and Cursor1 to a new location.
|
|
Multi-List Pane
|
The Multi-List Pane displays the existing Groups, Markers, or Events. Click on the down arrow in the top right corner of this pane (to the right of the title), to change the list that is displayed.
|
Source Code Window
The Source Code Window (Figure 3-4) allows you to perform source level debugging on your simulation source files. This window allows you to view the source code as the simulator single-steps through the simulation.
The source code is displayed in the Source Code Pane of the Source Code Window. The values of variables in the source code can be viewed by adding them to the Names Pane. Line breakpoints can be set in the Source Code Pane. Any Events, Groups, or Markers created during this session are displayed in the Multi-List Pane, and all the variables used in this analysis are displayed in the Names Pane. You can search for a string in the Names Pane or the Source Code Pane by selecting
Edit>Find
. Enter the string you wish to search for, select the pane and search direction, and click on
OK
.
Table 3-5 describes the features of the Source Code Window, and Figure 3-4 shows where these features are located in the window.
Table 3-5. Source Code Window Features
Feature
|
Description
|
|
Source File Drop-Down List
|
Displays the name of the design file shown in the Source Code Pane.
|
|
Line Number Field
|
Displays the line number currently selected in the Source Code Pane.
|
|
Sim Status Field
|
Displays the current status of the simulation. The simulation status can be one of the following: Stopped, Running, No Simulator, Stopped at Breakpoint(s).
|
|
Interactive Button
|
Allows you to toggle between the states of the simulation display. The initial state is Interactive if a simulation is running. Selecting the interactive mode allows you to monitor the simulation result as the simulation is running. TimeA changes to reflect the current simulation time. You can see the marching waveforms in the Waveform Pane in the Waveform Window. Selecting Non-Interactive mode keeps the value of the viewing variables static. TimeA does not change to reflect the current simulation time. The waveforms do not automatically scroll in the Waveform Window.
|
|
Scope Drop-Down List
|
Displays the current scope instance.
|
|
Scope Type Field
|
Displays the Scope Type associated with the Scope displayed in the Scope Drop-Down List. The Scope Type can be one of the following: module, task, function or block.
|
|
Scope Name Field
|
Displays the name of the current scope.
|
|
Module Focus Button
|
Allows you to toggle between the states of the module focus. The default state is OFF. Turning Module Focus ON locks the viewing in the Source Code Pane to the current module. Turning Module Focus OFF scrolls to display the last module simulated when the simulator stops.
|
|
TimeA Field
|
Displays the time value of TimeA. The value of TimeA is the same across all windows. TimeA is used as a link between the windows.
|
|
Current Sim Time Field
|
Displays the current simulation time.
|
|
Pause Button
|
Used to temporarily stop the progress of the simulator.
|
|
Step Button
|
Used to step through one statement of source code.
|
|
Continue Button
|
Used to continue the simulation, according to the current setting of the Continue Drop-Down List.
|
|
Continue Drop-Down List
|
Contains a number of options to control continuation of the simulation.
Forever
continues until a breakpoint,
$stop
, or end of simulation is reached.
For
uses the value from the Continue Time Field, and continues for the specified amount of time, or until a
Forever
condition is reached.
Until
uses the value from the Continue Time Field, and runs until the specified amount of time or until a
Forever
condition is reached.
|
|
Continue Time Field
|
Used as an argument for the Continue button. Pressing
Return
in this field is equivalent to selecting the Continue button. This field is disabled if
Forever
is selected in the Continue Drop-Down List.
|
|
Names Pane
|
Used to display the variables used in the analysis. See "Names Pane".
|
|
Source Code Pane
|
Displays your source code. See "Source Code Pane".
|
|
Multi-List Pane
|
Used to display the existing Groups, Markers, and Events. To display the contents of the list, click on the down arrow in the top right corner of this pane (to the right of the title), to change the display from Groups to Markers or Events.
|
Register Window
The Register Window allows you to create customized views of your design. Each of these views is called a Register Page. Figure 3-5 is an example of a Register Page. You can create your own Register Pages and view any variables on any page. You can also move the variables and their values around to make a page more useful. Any number of Register Windows can be created by selecting
Windows>Register
for each Register Window you would like to create. Register windows are sequentially numbered beginning with 1.
A Register Window may contain any arrangement of text and variable values. A variable value is the value of a variable at TimeA, although individual values may be shifted in time or inverted. Vector values may be displayed in binary, octal, decimal, signed decimal, hexadecimal, or ASCII. To jump to the next or previous variable change, click on the
>>|
(next) or
|<<
(previous) buttons above the Multi-List Pane. You can also select
Control>Variable Change>Next
or
Control>Variable Change>Previous
.
Table 3-6 describes the features of the Register Window, and Figure 3-5 shows where these features are located in the window.
Table 3-6. Register Window Features
Feature
|
Description
|
|
TimeA Field
|
The simulation time for which values are displayed; it is the same for all windows. You can directly edit this field to display values at a different time. In interactive mode (
Control>Define Mode Interactive
), TimeA is equal to the current simulation time.
|
|
Current Sim Time Field
|
When a simulation is active, this field displays the current simulation time.
|
|
Register Page Name Field
|
This read-only field displays the name of the Register Page being displayed in the Register Pane.
|
|
Selected Variable Field
|
The full name and format of the selected variable value is displayed in this field.
|
|
Selection Mode Button
|
Sets selection mode.
|
|
Text Mode Button
|
Sets text mode.
|
|
Register Pane
|
Displays the contents of the selected Register Page.
|
|
Multi-List Pane
|
Used to display the available Register Pages, Markers, or Events. Click on the down arrow in the top right corner of this pane to change the display from Register Pages to Markers or Events.
|
|
Horizontal Resize Bar
|
You can drag this Bar to change the size of the Register and Multi-List Panes.
|
|
Previous/Next Variable Change Buttons
|
These buttons are used to jump to the previous or next change of a variable or variables. If variables are selected, this finds the next change for any of the selected variables. If no variables are selected, Signalscan finds the next (or previous) change on any variable in the Register Page.
|
Schematic Tracer
The Schematic Tracer creates schematics on the fly, showing you the drivers for an edge or pin. Use the Schematic Tracer to debug structural designs.
The Schematic Tracer Window (Figure 3-6) allows you to trace a value backward or forward, trace an unknown value, look inside an instance, look at the parent of the current design level, step to the previous or next time a selected variable changes value, and go from an element in the schematic to the place in the source code where that element is defined or instantiated or that value is assigned.
Table 3-7 describes the features of the Schematic Tracer Window:
Table 3-7. Schematic Tracer Window Features
Feature
|
Description
|
|
Control menu
|
Allows you to trace a value backward or forward, trace an unknown value, look inside an instance, look at the parent of the current design level, step to the previous or next time a selected variable changes value, and go from an element in the schematic to the place in the source code where that element is defined or instantiated or that value is assigned.
|
|
Current Instance field
|
Immediately above the Schematic Pane is the name of the Current Instance. You can edit this field directly to display the schematic for a different instance.
|
|
Schematic Pane
|
Displays the schematic. See "Schematic Pane"
|
|
Status field
|
Immediately below the Schematic Pane, this field gives the full hierarchical name of the node your mouse pointer is over in the Schematic Pane, or describes the function of the button your mouse pointer is over in the button bar.
|
|
TimeA field
|
In the lower right corner of the Schematic Tracer is the TimeA field. You can edit this value directly to update the values displayed in the Schematic Pane.
|
Events Window
The Events Window is used to define Signalscan events. An
event
is a definition for the states of a collection of variables, and it is used to define searches through your simulation history.
Table 3-8 describes the features of the Events Window, and Figure 3-7 shows where these features are located in the window.
Table 3-8. Events Window Features
Feature
|
Description
|
|
Names Pane
|
Contains the Events and their variables. You can change the names of the Events by clicking on the name and editing it.
|
|
Values Pane
|
Contains the states for each variable. You can change the states by clicking on the value and editing the value. You can change a value by highlighting a variable and then selecting an option under
Control
. Valid values may contain an asterisk (
*
), which matches any number of characters or question mark (
?
), which matches any one character.
|
|
Events Pane
|
Lists all the defined Events. This pane is used to navigate through the definitions of the Events. Click on an Event in this pane to display its definition.
|
Breakpoints Window
The Breakpoints Window allows you to view and control any breakpoint set in the Signalscan environment. From the Breakpoints Window, you can inspect breakpoints at a glance, reset disabled breakpoints, and toggle breakpoints between the temporary and permanent states.
Table 3-9 describes the features of the Events Window, and Figure 3-8 shows where these features are located in the window.
Table 3-9. Breakpoints Window Features
Feature
|
Description
|
|
Create
Button
|
Displays the Create Breakpoint dialog box. You can create breakpoints on a variable change, on a source statement, or on an absolute/relative simulation time.
|
|
Edit
Button
|
Displays the Edit Breakpoint dialog box. You can modify the selected breakpoints.
|
|
Permanent
Button
|
Changes the selected temporary breakpoints to permanent breakpoints.
|
|
Temporary
Button
|
Changes the selected permanent breakpoints to temporary breakpoints.
|
|
Delete
Button
|
Removes the selected breakpoints from the breakpoints list.
|
|
Enable
Button
|
Enables the selected breakpoints.
|
|
Disable
Button
|
Disables the selected breakpoints.
|
|
Close
Button
|
Closes the Breakpoints Window.
|
|
