Pragmatic Simulation-Based Verification of Clock Domain Crossing Signals and Jitter Using SystemVerilog Assertions

Recent advances in automated formal solutions for verification of clock domain crossing (CDC) signals go a long way towards reducing risk of clock-related defects in multi-clock system-on-chip (SoC) devices. However, the vast majority of multiple clock-domain devices still utilize a flow that does not involve these specialized tools or formal verification techniques.

This paper presents a pragmatic alternative methodology using SystemVerilog Assertions in a simulation-based verification flow, to validate the correct operation and use of synchronizers while emulating the effects of CDC jitter in order to stress the functional operation of the rest of the device.