Method and system for instrumenting simulation models

摘要

A method and system are disclosed 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, an instrumentation entity is described utilizing the same hardware description language. Thereafter, the design entity is instantiated in at least one instance within a simulation model of a digital circuit design. Finally, the instrumentation entity is associated with the design entity utilizing a non-conventional call, such that the instrumentation entity 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.