Use HDL Parameters in Cosimulation

You can configure Verilog parameters or VHDL generics in a cosimulation. Use the HDLParameterFile property in the cosimulationConfiguration object or the HDL Parameter File filed in the Cosimulation Wizard to:

• Provide your own parameter file, assigning values to known parameters. Use this option when you know the parameters in your design hierarchy and you have specific settings you want to use.

• Generate a default parameter file, with parameter values commented out.

• Generate a parameter file, and edit it to override default parameter values.

This feature is not supported for Vivado^® cosimulation. To manually set parameters for a Vivado cosimulation, see Set HDL Parameters for Vivado Simulation.

Generate and Edit Parameter File

1. In the Simulation Options pane, specify a filename in the Parameter file field.

2. Click Generate to create a new parameter file with default parameter values.

3. Click Edit. In the file that opens, uncomment the lines with the parameters you want to override, and then set their values.

   The configuration file includes a line for each HDL parameter, with a default value assigned. Uncomment the line for the parameter you want to configure and assign a value to override the default value.

   For example, consider this generated configuration file, generated for ModelSim™ cosimulation.

   # Uncomment lines below for any parameter whose default value you want to change.
   # For parameters marked "N/A" (not available) the default value could not be 
   # determined, but you can override in the same way.
   
   #-G/design_top/coeff1=0
   #-G/design_top/coeff2=18
   #-G/design_top/coeff3=74

   To change the value of coeff1 to 32, uncomment that line and assign a value of 32.

   -G/design_top/coeff1=32
   #-G/design_top/coeff2=18
   #-G/design_top/coeff3=74

   Similarly, when you cosimulate with Xcelium™, the parameters in the configuration file are created with the -gpg directive to force value assignment for generics and parameters.

   -gpg "design_top.coeff1=120
   #-gpg "design_top.coeff2=18
   #-gpg "design_top.coeff3=74
   

Set HDL Parameters for Vivado Simulation

To set HDL parameters when using Vivado simulator, use the HDLCompilationCommand property in the cosimulationConfiguration object. Alternatively, edit the Compilation Commands field in the Cosimulation Wizard. For example, edit the default compilation commands to set values for generics labeled bits_resolution and phases, highlighted in red:

Note

When setting multiple parameters or generics, they must all be set in a single command.

Supported Data Types for HDL Parameters

Supported Verilog data types

• Integer — Up to 32 bit

• Real

• String — Up to 256 byte

Supported VHDL data types

• Integer

• Real

• String — Up to 256 byte

• Time

• Bit

• Boolean

• Enum

• std_logic

Cosimulation with Parameterized Port Size

In a Simulink^® cosimulation, if your HDL design includes a parameter that configures the width of an input or an output port, the Cosimulation Wizard creates an HDL Cosimulation block with the default value for that port width. To change port width, you can assign a new value to that parameter and re-run the Cosimulation Wizard. If you want override the default value after generating the block, you must follow these steps (not supported for Vivado).

1. Edit the parameter_DUT.cfg file and override the parameter value to reflect the desired port width. For example, change the output_width parameter to 8:

   -G/design_top/output_width=8

2. Make sure that the HDL simulator is not open. In the Simulink canvas that opens after generating the HDL Cosimulation block, double-click the block labeled Compile HDL Design to recompile the HDL design. Then, double-click the block labeled Launch HDL Simulator to start the HDL simulator.

   

3. After the HDL simulator opens and loads the design, open the HDL Cosimulation block mask. On the Ports tab, select each port and click Delete until the table is empty.

4. Click Auto Fill and, in the Auto Fill pane that opens, enter the path to the DUT.

   

5. Click Fill. The port list reflects the new parameter value.

   This port list includes the HDL ports with the modified port widths, as well as ports for clock and reset. Since Simulink has an implicit clock and reset, you can select and remove those two ports from the list.

6. Continue cosimulation activities. Do not regenerate the block.