40- and 100-Gbps Ethernet MAC and PHY MegaCore Function User Guide

ID 683114
Date 6/15/2022
Public
Document Table of Contents

2.5. Simulating the IP Core

You can simulate your 40GbE or 100GbE IP core variation with the functional simulation model and the testbench or example design generated with the IP core. The functional simulation model is a cycle-accurate model that allows for fast functional simulation of your IP core instance using industry-standard VHDL or Verilog HDL simulators. If your IP core variation does not generate a matching testbench, you can create your own testbench to exercise the IP core functional simulation model.

The functional simulation model and testbench files are generated in project subdirectories. These directories also include scripts to compile and run the example design.

Note: Use the simulation models only for simulation and not for synthesis or any other purposes. Using these models for synthesis creates a nonfunctional design.

In the top-level wrapper file for your simulation project, you can set the FAST_SIMULATION parameter to enable simulation optimization. Parameters are set through the IP core parameter editor. In general, you should not change them manually. The only exception is the FAST_SIMULATION parameter. You should set the FAST_SIMULATION parameter on the PHY blocks by adding the following line to the top-level wrapper file:

defparam <dut instance>.FAST_SIMULATION = 1;
	 
Note: You can use the example testbench as a guide for setting the simulation parameters in your own simulation environment. This line is already present in the Altera-provided testbench that is generated with the IP core.