Q019FreeDesign Verification
Pipeline Returns the Wrong Tag
Interview prompt
Question
Each column shows one rising clock edge. The three-stage pipeline accepts a tag when in_valid=1. Exactly three edges later, out_valid must be 1 and out_tag must match that accepted in_tag. Which fixed-latency pipeline assertion fails at C4?

Choose one
Answer choices
- A. out_valid must rise one edge after every in_valid input.
- B. out_valid must remain high until another input tag arrives.
- C. An output three edges later must carry the tag accepted with the matching input.
- D. out_tag may change only when in_valid is high on the same edge.
