Method and apparatus for modeling signal delays in a metastability protection circuit

摘要

Methods and apparatus are provided for modeling signal delays in a metastability protection circuit. A metastability protection circuit that processes a signal that crosses between two clock domains is modeled by introducing a random transition delay into the signal upon detection of an edge in the signal. Thereafter, an effect of the random transition delay on one or more downstream logic elements can be evaluated. The random transition delay simulates a timing effect of a metastable state. The random transition delay can optionally be introduced only during a simulation stage of the metastability protection circuit. For example, the metastability protection circuit can be defined using a Register Transfer Language and the Register Transfer Language includes one or more statements that selectively allow the introducing step.