ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces an approach to addressing the functional verification challenge, known as assertion-based verification (ABV), which provides a unified methodology for unambiguously specifying design intent across multiple verification processes using assertions. Fundamental to the discussion of ABV is understanding the concepts of controllability and observability. Any inconsistencies between multiple stakeholders involved in the design and verification process can become so problematic that the benefits the assertions provide during the verification process are overshadowed by an unmanageable methodology. The Open Verification Library (OVL) monitors address assertion-based methodology considerations by encapsulating a unified and systematic method of reporting and a common mechanism for enabling and disabling assertions during the verification process. The OVL was developed as a means to overcome the challenges within an assertion-based methodology. The chapter presents a historical perspective for various forms of assertion specification. Embedding assertions in the design model increases observability.
