Q002FreeDesign Verification
Valid Drops During a Stall
Interview prompt
Question
Each column shows a rising clock edge. The source drives valid and data; the receiver drives ready. If valid is 1 and ready is 0 at an edge, valid must stay 1 and data must remain unchanged at the next edge. A transfer occurs only when both valid and ready are 1. What causes the protocol failure?

Choose one
Answer choices
- A. The receiver raises ready before valid.
- B. The source drops valid before the stalled beat is accepted.
- C. The source changes data while a transfer occurs.
- D. The receiver accepts two copies of the beat.
