A previous article showed examples of using a uvm_blocking_put_port
TLM port that was blocking in nature where the sender gets stalled until the receiver finishes with the put
task.
Similarly, UVM TLM also has a non-blocking method of type uvm_nonblocking_put_port
where the sender has to use try_put
to see if the put was successful or can_put
method to see if the receiver is ready to accept a transfer. Like before, the UVM TLM non-blocking put port should ultimately be connected to a non-blocking put implementation port.
UVM TLM Nonblocking Put Example
A class called Packet is defined below to act as the data item that will be transferred from one component to another. This class object will have two random variables that can be randomized before sending.
// Create a class data object that can be sent from one
// component to another
class Packet extends uvm_object;
rand bit[7:0] addr;
rand bit[7:0] data;
`uvm_object_utils_begin(Packet)
`uvm_field_int(addr, UVM_ALL_ON)
`uvm_field_int(data, UVM_ALL_ON)
`uvm_object_utils_end
function new(string name = "Packet");
super.new(name);
endfunction
endclass
1. Create sender class with a port of type uvm_nonblocking_put_port
A class called componentA is created which has a uvm_nonblocking_put_port
parameterized to accept a data object of type Packet. The port has to be instantiated with the new()
method preferably in the build_phase
of the same component.
In this example, a class object of type Packet is created, randomized and sent via the put_port handle by calling the try_put
method. Many such packets can be sent using a simple loop controlled by a configurable variable. The try_put
function should ideally return 1 if the transfer is successful and 0 if it failed and should be provided by the receiver which implements the function.
class componentA extends uvm_component;
`uvm_component_utils (componentA)
// Create a nonblocking TLM put port which can send an object
// of type 'Packet'
uvm_nonblocking_put_port #(Packet) m_put_port;
int m_num_tx;
function new (string name = "componentA", uvm_component parent= null);
super.new (name, parent);
endfunction
// Remember that TLM put_port is a class object and it will have to be
// created with new ()
virtual function void build_phase (uvm_phase phase);
super.build_phase (phase);
m_put_port = new ("m_put_port", this);
endfunction
// Create a packet, randomize it and send it through the port
// Note that put() is a method defined by the receiving component
// Repeat these steps N times to send N packets
virtual task run_phase (uvm_phase phase);
phase.raise_objection(this);
repeat (m_num_tx) begin
bit success;
Packet pkt = Packet::type_id::create ("pkt");
assert(pkt.randomize ());
// Print the packet to be displayed in log
`uvm_info ("COMPA", "Packet sent to CompB", UVM_LOW)
pkt.print (uvm_default_line_printer);
// Try to put the packet through the put port
success = m_put_port.try_put(pkt);
if (success)
`uvm_info("COMPA", $sformatf("COMPB was ready to accept and transfer is successful"), UVM_MEDIUM)
else
`uvm_info("COMPA", $sformatf("COMPB was NOT ready to accept and transfer failed"), UVM_MEDIUM)
end
phase.drop_objection(this);
endtask
endclass
3. Create receiver class that implements the put
methodThe receiver class needs to define an implementation port using uvm_nonblocking_put_imp
. Since the port is nonblocking in nature, the try_put
implementation is a function which has to be defined by this component.
class componentB extends uvm_component;
`uvm_component_utils (componentB)
// Mention type of transaction, and type of class that implements the put ()
uvm_nonblocking_put_imp #(Packet, componentB) m_put_imp;
function new (string name = "componentB", uvm_component parent = null);
super.new (name, parent);
endfunction
virtual function void build_phase (uvm_phase phase);
super.build_phase (phase);
m_put_imp = new ("m_put_imp", this);
endfunction
// 'try_put' method definition accepts the packet and prints it.
// Note that it should return 1 if successful so that componentA
// knows how to handle the transfer return code
virtual function bit try_put (Packet pkt);
`uvm_info ("COMPB", "Packet received", UVM_LOW)
pkt.print(uvm_default_line_printer);
return 1;
endfunction
virtual function bit can_put();
endfunction
endclass

The connection between a port and its implementation has to be done at a higher hierarchical level. Since both components are instantiated directly within the test class in this example, the connection between them can be done during the connect_phase
of the test. If these two components were instantiated in another component or environment, they have to be connected during the connect_phase
of that component or environment.
class my_test extends uvm_test;
`uvm_component_utils (my_test)
componentA compA;
componentB compB;
function new (string name = "my_test", uvm_component parent = null);
super.new (name, parent);
endfunction
// Create objects of both components, set number of transfers
virtual function void build_phase (uvm_phase phase);
super.build_phase (phase);
compA = componentA::type_id::create ("compA", this);
compB = componentB::type_id::create ("compB", this);
compA.m_num_tx = 2;
endfunction
// Connection between componentA and componentB is done here
// Note that the "put_port" is connected to its implementation "put_imp"
virtual function void connect_phase (uvm_phase phase);
compA.m_put_port.connect (compB.m_put_imp);
endfunction
virtual function void end_of_elaboration_phase(uvm_phase phase);
super.end_of_elaboration_phase(phase);
uvm_top.print_topology();
endfunction
endclass
UVM_INFO @ 0: reporter [RNTST] Running test my_test... UVM_INFO /playground_lib/uvm-1.2/src/base/uvm_root.svh(579) @ 0: reporter [UVMTOP] UVM testbench topology: ----------------------------------------------------- Name Type Size Value ----------------------------------------------------- uvm_test_top my_test - @1836 compA componentA - @1905 m_put_port uvm_nonblocking_put_port - @1971 compB componentB - @1936 m_put_imp uvm_nonblocking_put_imp - @2010 ----------------------------------------------------- UVM_INFO testbench.sv(60) @ 0: uvm_test_top.compA [COMPA] Packet sent to CompB pkt: (Packet@2048) { addr: 'ha1 data: 'h64 } UVM_INFO testbench.sv(96) @ 0: uvm_test_top.compB [COMPB] Packet received pkt: (Packet@2048) { addr: 'ha1 data: 'h64 } UVM_INFO testbench.sv(66) @ 0: uvm_test_top.compA [COMPA] COMPB was ready to accept and transfer is successful UVM_INFO testbench.sv(60) @ 0: uvm_test_top.compA [COMPA] Packet sent to CompB pkt: (Packet@2091) { addr: 'hc1 data: 'hb9 } UVM_INFO testbench.sv(96) @ 0: uvm_test_top.compB [COMPB] Packet received pkt: (Packet@2091) { addr: 'hc1 data: 'hb9 } UVM_INFO testbench.sv(66) @ 0: uvm_test_top.compA [COMPA] COMPB was ready to accept and transfer is successful UVM_INFO /playground_lib/uvm-1.2/src/base/uvm_objection.svh(1271) @ 0: reporter [TEST_DONE] 'run' phase is ready to proceed to the 'extract' phase UVM_INFO /playground_lib/uvm-1.2/src/base/uvm_report_server.svh(847) @ 0: reporter [UVM/REPORT/SERVER] --- UVM Report Summary ---
Nonblocking Behavior
The code snippet in the example shown above can be modified to model try_put
in a blocking manner. componentA now uses a do while
loop for multiple attempts until try_put
is successful.
class componentA extends uvm_component;
`uvm_component_utils (componentA)
// Rest of the code remains same
virtual task run_phase (uvm_phase phase);
phase.raise_objection(this);
repeat (m_num_tx) begin
bit success;
Packet pkt = Packet::type_id::create ("pkt");
assert(pkt.randomize ());
// Print the packet to be displayed in log
`uvm_info ("COMPA", "Packet sent to CompB", UVM_LOW)
pkt.print (uvm_default_line_printer);
// do-while loop uses a "try_put" to keep the sender blocked until the receiver is ready. Return
// type of the try_put indicates if the transfer was successful. So, lets just try putting
// the same packet until the receiver returns a 1 indicating successful transfer.
// Note that this is the same as using "put" but we are doing it with "try_put" and a loop
do begin
success = m_put_port.try_put(pkt);
if (success)
`uvm_info("COMPA", $sformatf("COMPB was ready to accept and transfer is successful"), UVM_MEDIUM)
else
`uvm_info("COMPA", $sformatf("COMPB was NOT ready to accept and transfer failed, try after 1ns"), UVM_MEDIUM)
#1;
end while (!success);
end
phase.drop_objection(this);
endtask
endclass
Implementation of the try_put
function by componentB is changed to return a random value to model the readiness of the receiver. try_put
will return 0 if the receiver is not ready to accept.
class componentB extends uvm_component;
`uvm_component_utils (componentB)
// Rest of the code remains same
// 'try_put' method definition accepts the packet and prints it.
// Note that it should return 1 if successful so that componentA
// knows how to handle the transfer return code
// For purpose of example, lets randomize a variable
// just to say that this component is ready or not
virtual function bit try_put (Packet pkt);
bit ready;
std::randomize(ready);
if (ready) begin
`uvm_info ("COMPB", "Packet received", UVM_LOW)
pkt.print(uvm_default_line_printer);
return 1;
end else begin
return 0;
end
endfunction
virtual function bit can_put();
endfunction
endclass
UVM_INFO @ 0: reporter [RNTST] Running test my_test... UVM_INFO /playground_lib/uvm-1.2/src/base/uvm_root.svh(579) @ 0: reporter [UVMTOP] UVM testbench topology: ----------------------------------------------------- Name Type Size Value ----------------------------------------------------- uvm_test_top my_test - @1836 compA componentA - @1905 m_put_port uvm_nonblocking_put_port - @1971 compB componentB - @1936 m_put_imp uvm_nonblocking_put_imp - @2010 ----------------------------------------------------- UVM_INFO testbench.sv(60) @ 0: uvm_test_top.compA [COMPA] Packet sent to CompB pkt: (Packet@2048) { addr: 'ha1 data: 'h64 } UVM_INFO testbench.sv(74) @ 0: uvm_test_top.compA [COMPA] COMPB was NOT ready to accept and transfer failed, try after 1ns UVM_INFO testbench.sv(125) @ 1: uvm_test_top.compB [COMPB] Packet received pkt: (Packet@2048) { addr: 'ha1 data: 'h64 } UVM_INFO testbench.sv(72) @ 1: uvm_test_top.compA [COMPA] COMPB was ready to accept and transfer is successful UVM_INFO testbench.sv(60) @ 2: uvm_test_top.compA [COMPA] Packet sent to CompB pkt: (Packet@2104) { addr: 'h68 data: 'h7d } UVM_INFO testbench.sv(125) @ 2: uvm_test_top.compB [COMPB] Packet received pkt: (Packet@2104) { addr: 'h68 data: 'h7d } UVM_INFO testbench.sv(72) @ 2: uvm_test_top.compA [COMPA] COMPB was ready to accept and transfer is successful UVM_INFO /playground_lib/uvm-1.2/src/base/uvm_objection.svh(1271) @ 3: reporter [TEST_DONE] 'run' phase is ready to proceed to the 'extract' phase UVM_INFO /playground_lib/uvm-1.2/src/base/uvm_report_server.svh(847) @ 3: reporter [UVM/REPORT/SERVER] --- UVM Report Summary ---
UVM TLM can_put Example
Instead of directly trying to put a packet, the sender can first query to see if the receiver is ready or not with can_put
function and then send the packet.
class componentA extends uvm_component;
`uvm_component_utils (componentA)
// Rest of the code remains same
virtual task run_phase (uvm_phase phase);
phase.raise_objection(this);
repeat (m_num_tx) begin
bit success;
Packet pkt = Packet::type_id::create ("pkt");
assert(pkt.randomize ());
// Print the packet to be displayed in log
`uvm_info ("COMPA", "Packet sent to CompB", UVM_LOW)
pkt.print (uvm_default_line_printer);
// Another way to do the same is to loop until can_put returns a 1. In this case, its is
// not even attempted to send a transaction using put, until the sender knows for sure
// that the receiver is ready to accept it
`uvm_info("COMPA", $sformatf("Waiting for receiver to be ready ..."), UVM_MEDIUM)
do begin
success = m_put_port.can_put();
end while (!success);
`uvm_info("COMPA", $sformatf("Receiver is now ready to accept transfers"), UVM_MEDIUM)
m_put_port.try_put(pkt);
end
phase.drop_objection(this);
endtask
endclass
The can_put
function in componentB is set to return a random value in this example to model readiness of the receiver.
class componentB extends uvm_component;
`uvm_component_utils (componentB)
// Rest of the code remains same
virtual function bit try_put (Packet pkt);
`uvm_info ("COMPB", "Packet received", UVM_LOW)
pkt.print(uvm_default_line_printer);
return 1;
endfunction
// Return a random value to model readiness
virtual function bit can_put();
return $urandom_range(0,1);
endfunction
endclass
UVM_INFO @ 0: reporter [RNTST] Running test my_test... UVM_INFO /playground_lib/uvm-1.2/src/base/uvm_root.svh(579) @ 0: reporter [UVMTOP] UVM testbench topology: ----------------------------------------------------- Name Type Size Value ----------------------------------------------------- uvm_test_top my_test - @1837 compA componentA - @1906 m_put_port uvm_nonblocking_put_port - @1972 compB componentB - @1937 m_put_imp uvm_nonblocking_put_imp - @2011 ----------------------------------------------------- UVM_INFO testbench.sv(60) @ 0: uvm_test_top.compA [COMPA] Packet sent to CompB pkt: (Packet@2049) { addr: 'ha1 data: 'h64 } UVM_INFO testbench.sv(81) @ 0: uvm_test_top.compA [COMPA] Waiting for receiver to be ready ... UVM_INFO testbench.sv(85) @ 0: uvm_test_top.compA [COMPA] Receiver is now ready to accept transfers UVM_INFO testbench.sv(125) @ 0: uvm_test_top.compB [COMPB] Packet received pkt: (Packet@2049) { addr: 'ha1 data: 'h64 } UVM_INFO testbench.sv(60) @ 0: uvm_test_top.compA [COMPA] Packet sent to CompB pkt: (Packet@2059) { addr: 'h24 data: 'hba } UVM_INFO testbench.sv(81) @ 0: uvm_test_top.compA [COMPA] Waiting for receiver to be ready ... UVM_INFO testbench.sv(85) @ 0: uvm_test_top.compA [COMPA] Receiver is now ready to accept transfers UVM_INFO testbench.sv(125) @ 0: uvm_test_top.compB [COMPB] Packet received pkt: (Packet@2059) { addr: 'h24 data: 'hba } UVM_INFO /playground_lib/uvm-1.2/src/base/uvm_objection.svh(1271) @ 0: reporter [TEST_DONE] 'run' phase is ready to proceed to the 'extract' phase UVM_INFO /playground_lib/uvm-1.2/src/base/uvm_report_server.svh(847) @ 0: reporter [UVM/REPORT/SERVER] --- UVM Report Summary ---