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DescriptionQ825
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Q825DVASIC interview problem

Verify a RAL-programmed grid checker

TechniquesUVM RALError precedenceInterruptBus protocol
DifficultyMedium
TopicUVM Components
LanguageSystemVerilog
Requirements5 checkpoints
01

Problem

Write the functional oracle and core bus/interrupt assertions for a memory-mapped 9-by-9 grid checker. A full Universal Verification Methodology Register Abstraction Layer (UVM RAL) environment is a follow-up discussion.

Example input and output

Use this case to check your interpretation
Input
program grid cell(0,0)=12 through RAL, then accept START
Output
symbol violation at row0,column0; all result registers update atomically and done_irq pulses once
Explanation

Symbol values 10..15 have highest same-cell precedence, so row/column/region checks cannot replace this first error.

02

Requirements (5)

  • Scan row-major, ignore zero, reject symbols 10 through 15, and apply same-cell precedence symbol, row, column, then region.
  • Model one pending read: an accepted read responds one cycle later and holds data under backpressure; writes produce no read response.
  • An idle START clears old status and errors, then completion updates all result registers atomically and pulses done_irq once; busy cell or START writes are rejected while status reads remain legal.
  • Reset cancels checking and stalled reads, clears cells and result registers, suppresses interrupts, and is covered during programming, checking, and response stall.
  • Explain separately how a RAL predictor would own mirror updates for accepted frontdoor traffic; it is not part of the code requested here.