Method and system for counting events within a simulation model

摘要

A method and system that utilize the expressiveness of hardware description languages for efficiently and comprehensively monitoring performance characteristics of a digital circuit design during simulation. According to the present invention, a design entity that is part of a digital circuit design is first described utilizing a hardware description language. Next, a counting instrument is described utilizing the same hardware description language. The counting instrument is designed to detect occurrences of a count event within the design entity during simulation of the digital circuit design. The counting instrument is associated with the design entity utilizing a non-conventional call, such that the counting instrument may be utilized to monitor each instantiation of the design entity within the simulation model without the instrumentation entity becoming incorporated into the digital circuit design. In association with the counting instrument, a linear feedback shift register is automatically generated for recording the number of occurrences of the count event within the design entity.