Mentor Graphics today announced that ATI Technologies has adopted Mentor Graphics'(R) new VStation(TM)TBX product.

The VStationTBX tool significantly accelerates the functional verification of ATI's high-performance graphics processors used in high-end desktop personal computers, set-top box and game applications.

"We needed to accelerate our verification at the RTL (register transfer level) to continue building the world's most advanced graphics chips," said Raymond Li, vice president of engineering, ATI Technologies. "We chose Mentor's VStationTBX for our acceleration methodology because it was the best tool available from any vendor that delivered the required performance and flexibility that was promised. VStationTBX provided a single state-of-the-art transaction-based verification platform scalable from IP core development to full system-on-chip designs."

Innovative Verification Methodology

VStationTBX provides a simple transaction-based interface linking verification languages like SystemC, System Verilog, Verilog and C++ with RTL design implementation. Mentor's third generation of transaction-based verification technology, VStationTBX allows design teams to create a single scalable testbench for simulation and acceleration. It also continues Mentor's tradition of standards support with its adherence to SCE-MI and System Verilog DPI standards.

VStationTBX increases testbench productivity and reuse through behavioral compilation and automated transactor generation capability -- including the unique ability to accelerate behavioral Verilog natively without modification. Together these capabilities allow users to quickly and easily couple abstract, un-timed C or HVL models to their design using transaction-level communication, and achieve performances of 100 to 1,000 times that of commercial software simulators. The technology also results in a system that runs ten times faster than traditional hardware co-simulation tools.

"Mentor Graphics was the first to offer transaction-based verification solutions. With VStationTBX we continue to lead the way with innovation that enables customers to deliver their latest complex designs," said Eric Selosse, vice president and general manager, Emulation Division, Mentor Graphics.