Ethernet MAC verification by efficient verification methodology for SOC performance improvement

Abstract

Verification of Gigabit Ethernet Media Access Control (MAC), part of most of the networking SOC is accomplished by using the most advanced verification methodology i.e. Universal Verification Methodology (UVM) has been presented in this paper. The main function of MAC is to forward Ethernet frames to PHY through interface and vice versa. With the use of UVM factory and configuration mechanism, coverage driven verification of MAC Characteristics such as frame transmission, frame reception etc. is achieved in best possible way. Coverage metrics and self-checking which reduces the time spent on verifying design. By using UVM methodology, a reusable test bench is developed which has been used to run different test scenarios on same TB environment.