HLS Simulation - 2023.2 English

Versal Adaptive SoC System Integration and Validation Methodology Guide (UG1388)

Document ID
UG1388
Release Date
2023-11-15
Version
2023.2 English

HLS simulation exclusively tests HLS code and is an integral part of the HLS development process. The scope of this simulation is a single HLS kernel. Two abstractions are supported, untimed and RTL (cycle-accurate). These two abstractions are referred to as C simulation (Csim) and Co-simulation (Cosim), respectively. In the Csim flow, the function to be synthesized should be validated with a test bench using C simulation. A C test bench includes a main() top-level function, that calls the function to be synthesized by the Vitis HLS project. In the Cosim flow, the output of RTL code generated by the HLS compiler is automatically compared against the output of the Csim result. The purpose of the Cosim flow is to verify the functional correctness of the RTL and to validate performance in a standalone context, independently of interactions with other functions.

HLS simulation is available through the Vitis unified software platform. For more information, see this link in the Vitis HLS User Guide (UG1399).

Note: HLS simulation is possible in both the traditional design flow and the platform-based design flow.