A PC-Based Logic Simulator Using a Look-Up Table Cascade Emulator

Abstract

This paper represents a cycle-based logic simulation method using an LUT cascade emulator, where an LUT cascade consists of multiple-output LUTs (cells) connected in series. The LUT cascade emulator is an architecture that emulates LUT cascades. It has a control part, a memory for logic, and registers. It connects the memory to registers through a programmable interconnection circuit, and evaluates the given circuit stored in the memory. The LUT cascade emulator runs on an ordinary PC. This paper also compares the method with a Levelized Compiled Code (LCC) simulator and a simulator using a Quasi-Reduced Multi-valued Decision Diagram (QRMDD). Our simulator is 3.5 to 10.6 times faster than the LCC, and 1.1 to 3.9 times faster than the one using a QRMDD. The simulation setup time is 2.0 to 9.8 times shorter than the LCC. The necessary amount of memory is 1/1.8 to 1/5.5 of the one using a QRMDD.