Verilog Pli

VERILOG-HDL PLI
Reference Manual
Version 1.0
November 1, 1991
Open Verilog International

Copyright © 1991 by OVI Associates, Inc. (“Open Verilog International”). All rights reserved.
No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means
-- graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and
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Additional copies of this manual may be purchased by contacting OpenVerilog International at the address
shown below.
Notices
The information contained in this manual represents the definition of the Programming Language Interface (PLI)
as it existed at the time Cadence Design Systems, Inc. transferred PLI and its documentation to Open Verilog
International (OVI). This manual does not contain any PLI changes or additions developed or approved by OVI.
This information constitutes the basis from which OVI may make refinements and/or additions to PLI.
Open Verilog International makes no warranties whatsoever with respect to the completeness, accuracy, or
applicability of the information in this manual to a user’s requirements.
Open Verilog International reserves the right to make changes to PLI and this manual at any time without notice.
Open Verilog International does not endorse any particular simulator or other CAE tool based on the Verilog
hardware description language and/or PLI.
Suggestions for improvements to the Verilog hardware description language, PLI, and/or this manual will be
welcome. They should be sent to the address below.
Information about Open Verilog International and membership enrollment can be obtained by inquiring at the
address below.
Published as: PLI Reference Manual, Version 1.0, November 1, 1991.
Printed in the United States of America.
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Verilog ® is a registered trademark of Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

Table of Contents
1 Introduction ____________________________________________________ 1-1
1.1 Procedural Interface Components ___________________________________ 1-2
1.2 Contents of this Manual __________________________________________ 1-2
2 Access Routines _________________________________________________ 2-1
2.1 Overview ______________________________________________________ 2-1
2.1.1 Prerequisites ___________________________________________ 2-1
2.2 What Are Access Routines? _______________________________________ 2-2
2.2.1 Definition _____________________________________________ 2-2
2.2.2 What Access Routines Can Do ____________________________ 2-2
2.2.3 Names _______________________________________________ 2-3
2.3 Handles _______________________________________________________ 2-3
2.3.1 Definition _____________________________________________ 2-3
2.3.2 How Handles Work With Access Routines ___________________ 2-3
2.3.3 Handle Variables _______________________________________ 2-3
2.4 Accessible Objects ______________________________________________ 2-4
2.4.1 Operations on Module Instances ___________________________ 2-5
2.4.2 Operations on Module Ports ______________________________ 2-6
2.4.3 Operations on Bits of a Port _______________________________ 2-7
2.4.4 Operations on Module or Data Paths ________________________ 2-8
2.4.5 Operations on Inter-Module Paths __________________________ 2-9
2.4.6 Operations on Top-Level Modules _________________________ 2-9
2.4.7 Operations on Primitive Instances __________________________ 2-10
2.4.8 Operations on Primitive Terminals _________________________ 2-11
2.4.9 Operations on Nets ______________________________________ 2-12
2.4.10 Registers ______________________________________________ 2-13
2.4.11 Operations on Parameters ________________________________ 2-13
2.4.12 Operations on Specparams ________________________________ 2-14
2.4.13 Operations on Timing Checks _____________________________ 2-14
2.4.14 Named events __________________________________________ 2-15
2.4.15 Integer, real, and time variables ____________________________ 2-15
2.5 Using Access Routines ___________________________________________ 2-16
2.5.1 Header File ____________________________________________ 2-16
2.5.2 Initializing Access Routines ______________________________ 2-16
2.5.3 Setting the Development Version __________________________ 2-16
2.5.4 Exiting Access Routines _________________________________ 2-16
2.5.5 Compiling and Linking __________________________________ 2-17
2.6 Error Handling __________________________________________________ 2-18
2.6.1 Suppressing Error Messages ______________________________ 2-18
2.6.2 Warnings _____________________________________________ 2-18
2.6.3 Testing for Errors _______________________________________ 2-19
2.6.4 Example: Error Checking for Access Routines ________________ 2-19
2.6.5 Exception Values _______________________________________ 2-21
2.7 String Handling _________________________________________________ 2-21
2.7.1 Access Routines Share an Internal String Buffer ______________ 2-21
Contents-1
PLI Reference Manual
2.7.2 Buffer Reset ___________________________________________ 2-22

2.7.3 Preserving String Values _________________________________ 2-24
2.8 Types of Access Routines _________________________________________ 2-25
2.9 FETCH Routines ________________________________________________ 2-25
2.9.1 Function ______________________________________________ 2-25
2.9.2 Names ________________________________________________ 2-25
2.9.3 How to Use FETCH Routines _____________________________ 2-25
2.9.4 List of FETCH Routines __________________________________ 2-26
2.10 HANDLE Routines ______________________________________________ 2-27
2.10.1 Function ______________________________________________ 2-27
2.10.2 Names ________________________________________________ 2-27
2.10.3 Return Values __________________________________________ 2-27
2.10.4 How to Use HANDLE Routines ___________________________ 2-27
2.10.5 List of HANDLE Routines ________________________________ 2-28
2.11 MODIFY Routines _______________________________________________ 2-29
2.11.1 Function ______________________________________________ 2-29
2.11.2 List of MODIFY Routines ________________________________ 2-29
2.12 NEXT Routines _________________________________________________ 2-30
2.12.1 Function ______________________________________________ 2-30
2.12.2 Names ________________________________________________ 2-30
2.12.3 Reference Objects and Target Objects _______________________ 2-30
2.12.4 Arguments ____________________________________________ 2-30
2.12.5 Return Values __________________________________________ 2-30
2.12.6 How NEXT Routines Work _______________________________ 2-31
2.12.7 How to Use NEXT Routines ______________________________ 2-31
2.12.8 Example: Display Names of Nets Within a Module ____________ 2-32
2.12.9 List of NEXT Routines ___________________________________ 2-33
2.13 UTILITY Routines _______________________________________________ 2-34
2.13.1 Function ______________________________________________ 2-34
2.13.2 List of UTILITY Routines ________________________________ 2-34
2.14 VCL Routines __________________________________________________ 2-35
2.14.1 VCL Objects ___________________________________________ 2-35
2.14.2 List of VCL Routines ____________________________________ 2-35
2.15 Alphabetical List of Access Routines ________________________________ 2-36
2.15.1 acc_append_delays ______________________________________ 2-37
2.15.2 acc_close _____________________________________________ 2-49
2.15.3 acc_collect ____________________________________________ 2-51
2.15.4 acc_compare_handles ____________________________________ 2-53
2.15.5 acc_configure __________________________________________ 2-55
2.15.6 acc_count _____________________________________________ 2-68
2.15.7 acc_fetch_attribute ______________________________________ 2-70
2.15.8 acc_fetch_defname ______________________________________ 2-76
2.15.9 acc_fetch_delays ________________________________________ 2-77
2.15.10 acc_fetch_direction ______________________________________ 2-88
2.15.11 acc_fetch_edge _________________________________________ 2-90
Contents-2 Version 1.0

2.15.12 acc_fetch_fullname _____________________________________ 2-93

2.15.13 acc_fetch_fulltype ______________________________________ 2-95
2.15.14 acc_fetch_index ________________________________________ 2-105
2.15.15 acc_fetch_location ______________________________________ 2-107
2.15.16 acc_fetch_name ________________________________________ 2-109
2.15.17 acc_fetch_paramtype ____________________________________ 2-112
2.15.18 acc_fetch_paramval _____________________________________ 2-114
2.15.19 acc_fetch_polarity ______________________________________ 2-117
2.15.20 acc_fetch_range ________________________________________ 2-119
2.15.21 acc_fetch_size _________________________________________ 2-120
2.15.22 acc_fetch_tfarg _________________________________________ 2-122
2.15.23 acc_fetch_type _________________________________________ 2-124
2.15.24 acc_fetch_type_str ______________________________________ 2-129
2.15.25 acc_fetch_value ________________________________________ 2-131
2.15.26 acc_free ______________________________________________ 2-134
2.15.27 acc_handle_by_name ____________________________________ 2-136
2.15.28 acc_handle_condition ___________________________________ 2-138
2.15.29 acc_handle_conn _______________________________________ 2-140
2.15.30 acc_handle_datapath ____________________________________ 2-142
2.15.31 acc_handle_hiconn ______________________________________ 2-143
2.15.32 acc_handle_loconn ______________________________________ 2-145
2.15.33 acc_handle_modpath ____________________________________ 2-147
2.15.34 acc_handle_object ______________________________________ 2-150
2.15.35 acc_handle_parent ______________________________________ 2-152
2.15.36 acc_handle_path ________________________________________ 2-153
2.15.37 acc_handle_pathin ______________________________________ 2-155
2.15.38 acc_handle_pathout _____________________________________ 2-156
2.15.39 acc_handle_port ________________________________________ 2-157
2.15.40 acc_handle_scope ______________________________________ 2-159
2.15.41 acc_handle_simulated_net ________________________________ 2-160
2.15.42 acc_handle_tchk ________________________________________ 2-162
2.15.43 acc_handle_tchkarg1 ____________________________________ 2-169
2.15.44 acc_handle_tchkarg2 ____________________________________ 2-171
2.15.45 acc_handle_terminal ____________________________________ 2-173
2.15.46 acc_handle_tfarg _______________________________________ 2-175
2.15.47 acc_initialize __________________________________________ 2-178
2.15.48 acc_next ______________________________________________ 2-180
2.15.49 acc_next_bit ___________________________________________ 2-184
2.15.50 acc_next_cell __________________________________________ 2-187
2.15.51 acc_next_cell_load ______________________________________ 2-189
2.15.52 acc_next_child _________________________________________ 2-192
2.15.53 acc_next_driver ________________________________________ 2-194
2.15.54 acc_next_hiconn _______________________________________ 2-195
2.15.55 acc_next_input _________________________________________ 2-197
2.15.56 acc_next_load _________________________________________ 2-199
Version 1.0 Contents-3

2.15.57 acc_next_loconn ________________________________________ 2-202

2.15.58 acc_next_modpath ______________________________________ 2-204
2.15.59 acc_next_net ___________________________________________ 2-205
2.15.60 acc_next_output ________________________________________ 2-207
2.15.61 acc_next_parameter _____________________________________ 2-210
2.15.62 acc_next_port __________________________________________ 2-211
2.15.63 acc_next_portout _______________________________________ 2-213
2.15.64 acc_next_primitive ______________________________________ 2-214
2.15.65 acc_next_specparam _____________________________________ 2-215
2.15.66 acc_next_tchk __________________________________________ 2-216
2.15.67 acc_next_terminal ______________________________________ 2-218
2.15.68 acc_next_topmod _______________________________________ 2-219
2.15.69 acc_object_in_typelist ___________________________________ 2-221
2.15.70 acc_object_of_type ______________________________________ 2-223
2.15.71 acc_product_version _____________________________________ 2-225
2.15.72 acc_release_object ______________________________________ 2-226
2.15.73 acc_replace_delays ______________________________________ 2-229
2.15.74 acc_set_scope __________________________________________ 2-241
2.15.75 acc_set_value __________________________________________ 2-244
2.15.76 acc_vcl_add ___________________________________________ 2-247
2.15.77 acc_vcl_delete _________________________________________ 2-250
2.15.78 acc_version ____________________________________________ 2-253
3 Interface Mechanism _____________________________________________ 3-1
3.1 User-Supplied Routines ___________________________________________ 3-1
3.2 Routine Arguments ______________________________________________ 3-2
3.2.1 Data _________________________________________________ 3-2
3.2.2 Reason _______________________________________________ 3-2
3.3 Supplied Files ___________________________________________________ 3-3
3.3.1 Table of Tasks and Functions ______________________________ 3-3
3.4 A Simple Example _______________________________________________ 3-5
3.4.1 User-Supplied Routine ___________________________________ 3-5
3.4.2 Table Entry ____________________________________________ 3-5
3.4.3 Task Invocation ________________________________________ 3-6
4 Utility Routines __________________________________________________ 4-1
4.1 Call Instances ___________________________________________________ 4-1
4.2 64-Bit Integer and Real Number Values ______________________________ 4-2
4.3 Effect of Timescales on Utility Routines ______________________________ 4-2
4.4 Routine Definitions ______________________________________________ 4-3
4.4.1 tf_getinstance __________________________________________ 4-3
4.4.2 tf_nump ______________________________________________ 4-4
4.4.3 tf_typep _______________________________________________ 4-5
4.4.4 tf_getp/tf_putp _________________________________________ 4-7
4.4.5 tf_strgetp ______________________________________________ 4-10
4.4.6 tf_exprinfo / tf_nodeinfo _________________________________ 4-11

4.4.7 tf_asynchon / tf_asynchoff ________________________________ 4-15

4.4.8 tf_synchronize _________________________________________ 4-16
4.4.9 tf_rosynchronize _______________________________________ 4-17
4.4.10 tf_gettime _____________________________________________ 4-18
4.4.11 tf_strgettime ___________________________________________ 4-19
4.4.12 tf_gettimeunit __________________________________________ 4-20
4.4.13 tf_gettimeprecision _____________________________________ 4-21
4.4.14 io_printf ______________________________________________ 4-22
4.4.15 tf_error _______________________________________________ 4-23
4.4.16 tf_warning ____________________________________________ 4-24
4.4.17 tf_message ____________________________________________ 4-25
4.4.18 tf_text ________________________________________________ 4-26
4.4.19 tf_dostop _____________________________________________ 4-27
4.4.20 tf_dofinish ____________________________________________ 4-28
4.4.21 tf_getcstringp __________________________________________ 4-29
4.4.22 tf_setdelay ____________________________________________ 4-30
4.4.23 tf_clearalldelays ________________________________________ 4-31
4.4.24 tf_strdelputp ___________________________________________ 4-32
4.4.25 tf_scale_longdelay / tf_scale_realdelay ______________________ 4-34
4.4.26 tf_unscale_longdelay / tf_unscale_realdelay __________________ 4-35
4.4.27 Parameter Value Change Flags ____________________________ 4-36
4.4.28 tf_copypvc_flag ________________________________________ 4-37
4.4.29 tf_movepvc_flag _______________________________________ 4-38
4.4.30 tf_testpvc_flag _________________________________________ 4-39
4.4.31 tf_getpchange __________________________________________ 4-40
4.4.32 Work Areas ___________________________________________ 4-41
4.4.33 tf_setworkarea _________________________________________ 4-42
4.4.34 tf_getworkarea _________________________________________ 4-43
4.4.35 tf_setroutine ___________________________________________ 4-44
4.4.36 tf_getroutine ___________________________________________ 4-45
4.4.37 tf_settflist _____________________________________________ 4-46
4.4.38 tf_gettflist _____________________________________________ 4-47
4.4.39 tf_mipname ___________________________________________ 4-48
4.4.40 tf_ispname ____________________________________________ 4-49
4.4.41 tf_sizep _______________________________________________ 4-50
4.4.42 io_mcdprintf ___________________________________________ 4-51
4.4.43 mc_scan_plusargs ______________________________________ 4-52
4.4.44 tf_getnextlongtime ______________________________________ 4-53
Appendix A _____________________________________________ Appendix-1
Version 1.0 Contents-5


1
Introduction
This reference manual outlines a C programming interface for a Verilog-HDL
simulation environment. It is based on the Cadence PLI Reference Manual and
describes the Verilog PLI as implemented by Cadence. This document in no way
represents a standard established by the Open Verilog International (OVI), nor should
it be interpreted to be the proposed or suggested method of implementation. Instead,
it is intended as a baseline and beginning for defining an open Programming Language
Interface (PLI). The OVI PLI Task Force is actively working on version 2.0 of the PLI
Reference Manual, which will define major enhancements to PLI.
Version 1.0 1-1

Introduction PLI Reference Manual
Procedural Interface Components
1.1
Procedural Interface Components
The components of an HDL procedural interface can be broken down into the following
groups:
• Language interface
Allows a procedure to be associated with a language construct. For PLI, this
is implemented as a link between a C routine and a user-defined system task.
• Language access
This includes read access to the information contained in the language (e.g.
connectivity, along with read/write access to selected items (e.g. delays).
• Dynamic simulation
This provides read/write access to certain dynamic values, and access to
information such as simulation time and state.
• Simulation synchronization
This can be achieved with a simulation callback mechanism which invokes
user routines when predefined events occur such as value changes,
simulation time advance, etc.
1.2
Contents of this Manual
This document presents the PLI in the following chapters:
• Access routines
A set of routines which provide language access, dynamic simulation access,
and some synchronization.
• Interface mechanism
The PLI language interface, and some synchronization methods.
• Utility routines
A set of routines aimed mainly at dynamic access and synchronization. Much
of this code is made obsolete by analogous access routines.
1-2 Version 1.0

PLI Reference Manual Access Routines
Overview
Figure 1-0
2
Table 1-0
Example 1-0
Access Routines
2.1
Overview
This chapter describes the PLI access routines, beginning with a general discussion of
how and why to use them, followed by descriptions of the individual routines.
2.1.1
Prerequisites
Before exploring access routines, we recommend that you acquire these skills:
1. a working knowledge of the C programming language
2. familiarity with the PLI mechanism
3. an understanding of how to use the Verilog Hardware Design Language (HDL)
to connect structural objects in a design hierarchy
Please use the references listed below if you need to review any of these topics before
reading further in this chapter:
To learn more about: Refer to:
programming in C any C programmer’s manual

how to use the PLI mechanism chapter 3 in this manual
how to use the HDL the Verilog-HDL Reference Manual
Version 1.0 2-1

Access Routines PLI Reference Manual
What Are Access Routines?
2.2
What Are Access Routines?
2.2.1
Definition
Access routines are C programming language routines that provide procedural access
to information within Verilog-HDL.
2.2.2
What Access Routines Can Do
Access routines perform one of two operations:
1. read data about particular objects in your circuit design directly from internal
data structures
2. write new information about objects in your circuit design into the internal data
structures
Access routines can read information about the following objects:
• module instances
• module ports
• module paths
• inter-module paths
• top-level modules
• primitive instances
• primitive terminals
• nets
• registers
• parameters
• specparams
• timing checks
• named events
• integer, real and time variables
Access routines can write timing information—delays values or timing check limits—
for the following objects:
• module paths
• timing checks
2-2 Version 1.0

Handles
2.2.3
Names
All access routine names indicate the type of information the access routine reads or
writes. These names begin with the prefix acc_ so you can recognize them easily. For
example, acc_fetch_fullname is the name of an access routine that reads and
returns the full hierarchical name of any named accessible object in a design.
2.3
Handles
2.3.1
Definition
A handle is a predefined data type that is a pointer to a specific object in the design
hierarchy. Each handle conveys information to access routines about a unique instance
of an accessible object—information about the object’s type, plus how and where to
find data about the object.
2.3.2
How Handles Work With Access Routines
Most access routines require a handle argument to indicate the objects about which they
need to read or write information; many access routines also return handles.
The PLI provides two categories of access routines that return handles for objects:
HANDLE routines, which begin with the prefix acc_handle_, and NEXT routines,
which begin with the prefix acc_next_. Refer to Section 2.10 for a discussion of
HANDLE routines and Section 2.12 for more information about NEXT routines.
2.3.3
Handle Variables
Handles are passed to and from access routines through handle variables. To declare a
handle variable, use the keyword handle (all lower case) followed by the variable
name, as in this example:
handle net_handle;
After you declare a handle variable, you can pass it to any access routine that requires
a handle argument or use it to pick up any handle returned by an access routine. The
Version 1.0 2-3

Accessible Objects
following C-language code fragment uses the variable net_handle to store the
handle returned by the access routine acc_handle_object:
•
•
•
handle net_handle;
net_handle = acc_handle_object("top.mod1.w3");
•
•
2.4
Accessible Objects
Access routines may retrieve and examine information about the following objects:
• module ports
• individual bits of a port
• module or data paths
• top-level modules
• primitive terminals
• nets
• registers
• parameters
• specparams
• timing checks
• named events
• integer, real and time variables
Each object allows its own set of access operations. Table 2 - 1 through Table 2-15 in
the following sections describe the operations that can be performed for each object
type.
2-4 Version 1.0

Accessible Objects
2.4.1
Operations on Module Instances
To: Use:
obtain handles for all module instances acc_next_cell
tagged as cells within a hierarchical
scope
obtain handles for all module instances acc_next_child

within a particular module instance
find instance name acc_fetch_name
find full hierarchical name acc_fetch_fullname
find the name of the module definition acc_fetch_defname
find parent acc_handle_parent

(the module instance that contains the in-
stance)
obtain the fulltype of a module instance acc_fetch_fulltype

(cell instance, module instance, or top-
level module)
Table 2 - 1: Operations on module instances
Version 1.0 2-5

Accessible Objects
2.4.2
Operations on Module Ports
To: Use:
obtain handles for all ports of a acc_next_port
module instance
obtain handle for a particular port acc_handle_port

(the module instance that contains
the port)
find hierarchically higher connected acc_next_hiconn

nets
find hierarchically lower connected acc_next_loconn

nets
find direction (input, output, inout) acc_fetch_direction
find index acc_fetch_index
obtain the fulltype of a module port acc_fetch_fulltype
find hierarchically higher connected acc_handle_hiconn

net to a scalar module port or bit of a
vector port
find hierarchically lower connected net acc_handle_loconn

to a scalar module port or bit of a vec-
tor port
Table 2-2: Operations on module ports
2-6 Version 1.0

Accessible Objects
2.4.3
Operations on Bits of a Port
To: Use:
obtain handles for all bits of a acc_next_bit
module port
read MIPD delays acc_fetch_delays
acc_append_delays
modify MIPD delays
acc_replace_delays
find lowest hierarchical name acc_fetch_name
obtain the fulltype of a port’s bit acc_fetch_fulltype
Table 2-3: Operations on bits of a port
Version 1.0 2-7

Accessible Objects
2.4.4
Operations on Module or Data Paths
To: Use:
obtain handles for all module paths acc_next_modpath
within a scope
find first connected nets acc_handle_pathin
acc_handle_pathout
read delays acc_fetch_delays
modify delays acc_append_delays

acc_replace_delays
find a particular module path acc_handle_modpath
find lowest-level name acc_fetch_name

(name is derived; see Module path
names in Section 2.15.7)

(name is derived; see Module path
names in Section 2.15.7)
find the polarity of a path acc_fetch_polarity
find a particular conditional acc_handle_condition
expression for a path
find an edge specifier for a path acc_fetch_edge
terminal
obtain handles for all input path acc_next_input
terminals of a module or data path
obtain handles for all output path acc_next_output
terminals of a module or data path
free the memory associated with an acc_release_object

input or output terminal path
find a particular datapath acc_handle_datapath
Table 2-4: Operations on module paths
2-8 Version 1.0

Accessible Objects
2.4.5
Operations on Inter-Module Paths
To: Use:
obtain handle for an inter-module acc_handle_path
path
read inter-module path delays acc_fetch_delays
modify inter-module path delays acc_replace_delays
find lowest hierarchical name acc_fetch_name
obtain the fulltype of an inter-module acc_fetch_fulltype

path
Table 2-5: Operations on inter-module paths
2.4.6
Operations on Top-Level Modules
To: Use:
obtain handles for all top-level mod- acc_next_topmod
ules in a design
find name acc_fetch_name
Table 2-6: Operations on top-level modules
Version 1.0 2-9

Accessible Objects
2.4.7
Operations on Primitive Instances
To: Use:
obtain handles for all primitive acc_next_primitive
instances within a module instance
find definition name acc_fetch_defname

(the hierarchical module instance that
contains the primitive)
read delays acc_fetch_delays
modify delays acc_append_delays

acc_replace_delays
obtain fulltype acc_fetch_fulltype
Table 2-7: Operations on primitive instances
2-10 Version 1.0

Accessible Objects
2.4.8
Operations on Primitive Terminals
To: Use:
obtain handles for all terminals of a acc_next_terminal
primitive instance

(the primitive instance that contains
the terminal)
find connected net acc_handle_conn
find direction acc_fetch_direction

(input, output, inout)
find index acc_fetch_index
Table 2-8: Operations on primitive terminals
Version 1.0 2-11

Accessible Objects
2.4.9
Operations on Nets
To: Use:
obtain handles for all nets within a acc_next_net
module instance

(the hierarchical module instance that
contains the net)
find all driver terminals acc_next_driver
find all load terminals acc_next_load
find connected load terminals, but acc_next_cell_load

only one per driven cell port
find logic or strength value acc_fetch_value
find msb and lsb acc_fetch_range
find scalar, vector, collapsed, or acc_object_of_type

expanded nets
find net type acc_fetch_fulltype
find size acc_fetch_size
Table 2-9: Operations on nets
2-12 Version 1.0

Accessible Objects
2.4.10
Registers
To: Use:
retrieve handles to all objects within a acc_next
given scope
find bit size acc_fetch_size
retrieve value acc_fetch_value
set the value acc_set_value
find msb and lsb acc_fetch_range
find all load terminals acc_next_load
Table 2-10: Operations on registers
2.4.11
Operations on Parameters
To: Use:
obtain handles for all parameters acc_next_parameter
within a module instance

(the module instance that contains the
parameter)
find integer, floating point or string acc_fetch_paramval

value
find type acc_fetch_paramtype

(integer, floating point, string) acc_fetch_fulltype
Table 2-11: Operations on parameters
Version 1.0 2-13

Accessible Objects
2.4.12
Operations on Specparams
To: Use:
obtain handles for all specparams acc_next_specparam
find integer, floating point or string acc_fetch_paramval

value
find type acc_fetch_paramtype

(integer, floating point, string)
Table 2-12: Operations on specparams
2.4.13
Operations on Timing Checks
To: Use:
obtain handles for all timing checks acc_next_tchk
find connected nets acc_handle_tchkarg1

acc_handle_tchkarg2
read limit acc_fetch_delays
modify limit acc_append_delays

acc_replace_delays
find a particular timing check acc_handle_tchk
Table 2-13: Operations on timing checks
2-14 Version 1.0

Accessible Objects
2.4.14
Named events
To: Use:
given scope
Table 2-14: Operations on named events
2.4.15
Integer, real, and time variables
To: Use:
given scope
retrieve value acc_fetch_value
Table 2-15: Operations on integer, real and time variables
Version 1.0 2-15

Using Access Routines
2.5
2.5.1
Header File
You must include the header file, acc_user.h, at the top of any C-language source
file containing an application program that calls access routines. The include statement
looks like this:
#include "acc_user.h"
Refer to Appendix A to view the contents of acc_user.h.
2.5.2
Initializing Access Routines
The access routine acc_initialize initializes the environment for access routines
and must be called from your C-language application program before the program
invokes any other access routines.
See Section 2.15.47 for more information about acc_initialize.
2.5.3
Setting the Development Version
After initializing access routines, you must also set the configuration parameter
accDevelopmentVersion to indicate which version of access routines you used
to develop the application.
To set this parameter, call acc_configure in your C-language application program
immediately after you call acc_initialize. Following is a sample call that sets
accDevelopmentVersion to the PLI 1.6a version of access routines:
acc_configure(accDevelopmentVersion, "1.6a");
Configuring the parameter in this way guarantees that the C-language application code
will run successfully with all future releases of access routines. See Section 2.15.5 for
more information about acc_configure.
2.5.4
Exiting Access Routines
Before exiting a C-language application program that calls access routines, it is
necessary to also exit the access routine environment by calling acc_close at the
end of the program. See Section 2.15.2 for more information about acc_close.
2-16 Version 1.0

2.5.5
Compiling and Linking
To create a new Verilog executable that includes your application program, you must
perform the following steps:
1. In the file veriuser.c, define the new Verilog system tasks and functions to
be associated with your C- language routines using the PLI mechanism
(discussed in Chapter 3).
2. Compile your application source files and veriuser.c.
3. Link the resulting application and veriuser object files with the object files that
are included with your release.
Version 1.0 2-17

Error Handling
2.6
Error Handling
When an access routine detects an error, it performs the following operations:
1. sets the global error flag acc_error_flag to true
2. displays an informative error message at run time to standard output in a format
similar to Verilog error messages (unless you specifically suppress error
reporting as described in the next section)
3. returns an exception value
When an access routine is called, it automatically resets acc_error_flag to
false.
2.6.1
Suppressing Error Messages
By default, access routines display error messages. Error messages can be suppressed
with the use of the access routine acc_configure to set the configuration parameter
accDisplayErrors to "false".
2.6.2
Warnings
When access routines detect warning conditions, they set acc_error_flag to
true, but, by default, do not display warning messages. To instruct the access
routines to display warning messages, use the access routine acc_configure to set
the configuration parameter accDisplayWarnings to "true".
2.6.3
Testing for Errors
If you decide to suppress automatic error reporting, you can perform your own error
handling by checking acc_error_flag explicitly after calling a routine. This
procedure is described in the flowchart in Figure 2-1:
2-18 Version 1.0

Error Handling
call
access
routine
is yes perform
acc_error_flag error
processing
set?
no
continue
normal
processing
Figure 2-1: How to detect errors
2.6.4
Example: Error Checking for Access Routines
Figure 2-2 shows an example of C-language code that performs error checking for
access routines.
Version 1.0 2-19

Error Handling
check_new_timing()
{
handle gate_handle;
/* initialize and configure access routines */

acc_initialize();
/* suppress error reporting by access routines */

acc_configure( accDisplayErrors, "false" );
/* set development version */

acc_configure( accDevelopmentVersion, "1.6a" );
/* check type of first argument—the object */

gate_handle = acc_handle_tfarg( 1 );
/* check for valid argument */

if (acc_error_flag)
tf_error("Cannot derive handle from argument\n");
else
/* argument is valid */
/* make sure it’s a primitive */
if ( acc_fetch_type(gate_handle) != accPrimitive )
tf_error("Invalid argument type:not a primitive\n");
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-2: A checktf routine
This example uses acc_configure to suppress automatic error reporting. Instead,

it checks acc_error_flag explicitly and displays its own specialized error
message.
2-20 Version 1.0

String Handling
2.6.5
Exception Values
Access routines return one of three exception values when an error occurs:
When routines return: the value is:

int (integer) values 0
or
double (double precision floating point) values
pointers null
or
handles
bool (boolean) values false
Table 2-16: Exception values returned by access routines on errors
Because access routines can return valid values that are the same as exception values,
the only definitive way to detect errors explicitly is to check acc_error_flag.
Note that null and false are predefined constants, declared in acc_user.h.
2.7
String Handling
2.7.1
Access Routines Share an Internal String Buffer
Access routines share an internal buffer to store string values. This buffer is used by
all routines that return pointers to strings, as in the following list:
• acc_fetch_defname
• acc_fetch_fullname
• acc_fetch_name
• acc_fetch_value
• acc_fetch_attribute
• acc_fetch_paramval
Each of these routines returns a pointer to the location in the buffer that contains the
first character of the string, as illustrated in Figure 2-3. In this example, mod_name
points to the location in the buffer where top.m1—the name of the module associated
with module_handle—is stored.
Version 1.0 2-21

String Handling
mod_name = acc_fetch_name( module_handle );
THE INTERNAL STRING BUFFER
"d"
"f"
"f"
"/0"
"t"
"o"
"p"
"."
"m"
"1"
"/0"
Figure 2-3: How access routines store strings in the internal buffer
2.7.2
Buffer Reset
Access routines always try to place strings at the next available sequential location in
the string buffer which, by default, stores up to 4096 characters. However, if there is
not enough room to store an entire string starting at that location, a condition known as
buffer reset occurs.
When buffer reset occurs, the access routine places its string starting at the beginning
of the buffer, overwriting data already stored there. The result is a loss of data, as
shown in Figure 2-4.
2-22 Version 1.0

String Handling
Action: Results:
mod_name = acc_fetch_fullname( module_handle ); mod_name points to
"top.m1"
"d"
"f"
"f"
"/0"
mod_name "t"
"o"
"p"
"."
"m"
"1"
"/0"
net_name = acc_fetch_fullname( net_handle ); buffer reset occurs

net_name points to
net_name "top.m1.w4"
"t"
"o"
"p" "mod_name points to
"." "m1.w4"
mod_name
"m"
"1"
"."
"w"
"4"
"/0"
"/0"
Figure 2-4: Buffer reset causes acc_fetch_fullname to overwrite the name of module_handle in the
string buffer
Figure 2-4 shows that the second call to acc_fetch_fullname corrupts the
module name by overwriting it in the string buffer.
The buffer reset warning

Access routines issue a warning whenever the internal string buffer resets. Remember
that to view the warning message, you must use acc_configure to set the
configuration parameter accDisplayWarnings to "true".
Version 1.0 2-23

String Handling
2.7.3
Preserving String Values
Applications that use strings for short periods of time—for example, to print names of
objects—generally do not need to be concerned about overwrites after a string buffer
reset. The risk of losing data is greater, however, for applications that must preserve
string values for a long time while calling many access routines that write to the string
buffer.
To preserve a string value, use the C routine strcpy to copy the string to a local
character array that you allocate in your C-language application. These are the steps to
follow:
1. Allocate a character array that is large enough to store the string.
2. Call strcpy with the following arguments:
• the pointer to your character array as the first argument
• the character pointer returned by the access routine as the second
argument
Example: Using strcpy to preserve a string value

Consider the example in Figure 2-5. If the module in this example contains many cells,
one of the calls to acc_fetch_name could eventually overwrite the module name
in the string buffer with a cell name. To preserve the module name, strcpy is used to
store it locally in the array mod_name.
#define NAME_SIZE 256
void display_cells_in_module(mod)
handle mod;
{
handle cell;
char mod_name[NAME_SIZE];
/*save the module name in local buffer mod_name*/
strcpy saves the full module
name in array mod_name
strcpy( mod_name, acc_fetch_fullname( mod ) );
the access routine call

is passed as the second
cell = null; argument to strcpy
while (cell = acc_next_cell( mod, cell ) )
io_printf( "%s.%s\n", mod_name, acc_fetch_name( cell ) );
}
Figure 2-5: How to use strcpy
2-24 Version 1.0

Types of Access Routines
2.8
Types of Access Routines
The six categories of access routines are:
1. FETCH
2. HANDLE
3. MODIFY
4. NEXT
5. UTILITY
6. VCL
Sections 2.9 through 2.14 describe each type of access routine in detail, while
Section 2.15 presents an alphabetical list of individual access routines, explaining their
functions, syntax, and usage.
2.9
FETCH Routines
2.9.1
Function
FETCH routines return a variety of information about different objects in the design
hierarchy.
2.9.2
Names
The name of each routine begins with the prefix acc_fetch_ and indicates the type
of information desired. For example, acc_fetch_fullname retrieves the full
hierarchical path name for any named object, while acc_fetch_paramval
retrieves the value of a parameter or specify parameter.
2.9.3
How to Use FETCH Routines
Follow these steps to use FETCH routines to retrieve data from the design hierarchy:
1. Declare a variable of the same data type as the value returned by the routine.
2. Call the routine with the appropriate number and type of arguments, assigning
the return value to the variable.
Version 1.0 2-25

FETCH Routines
2.9.4
List of FETCH Routines
Routine name Reference

acc_fetch_attribute page 2-70
acc_fetch_defname page 2-76
acc_fetch_delays page 2-77
acc_fetch_direction page 2-88
acc_fetch_fullname page 2-93
acc_fetch_fulltype page 2-95
acc_fetch_index page 2-105
acc_fetch_name page 2-109
acc_fetch_paramtype page 2-112
acc_fetch_paramval page 2-114
acc_fetch_size page 2-120
acc_fetch_tfarg page 2-122
acc_fetch_type page 2-124
acc_fetch_type_str page 2-129
acc_fetch_value page 2-131
acc_fetch_edge page 2-90
acc_fetch_location page 2-107
acc_fetch_polarity page 2-117
acc_fetch_range page 2-119
2-26 Version 1.0

HANDLE Routines
2.10
HANDLE Routines
2.10.1
Function
HANDLE routines return handles to a variety of objects in the design hierarchy.
2.10.2
Names
The name of each routine begins with the prefix acc_handle_ and indicates the type
of handle desired. For example, acc_handle_object retrieves a handle for any
named object, while acc_handle_conn retrieves a handle for a net connected to a
particular terminal.
2.10.3
Return Values
Each HANDLE routine returns a handle to an object—a handle that can, in turn, be
passed as an argument to another access routine.
2.10.4
How to Use HANDLE Routines
Follow these steps to use HANDLE routines for retrieving handles to objects in the
design hierarchy:
1. Declare a handle variable, as described in Section 2.3.
2. Call the routine with the appropriate number and type of arguments, assigning
the return value to the handle variable.
Version 1.0 2-27

HANDLE Routines
2.10.5
List of HANDLE Routines

acc_handle_conn page 2-140
acc_handle_modpath page 2-147
acc_handle_object page 2-150
acc_handle_parent page 2-152
acc_handle_path page 2-153
acc_handle_pathin page 2-155
acc_handle_pathout page 2-156
acc_handle_port page 2-157
acc_handle_tchk page 2-162
acc_handle_tchkarg1 page 2-169
acc_handle_tchkarg2 page 2-171
acc_handle_terminal page 2-173
acc_handle_tfarg page 2-175
acc_handle_condition page 2-138
acc_handle_datapath page 2-142
acc_handle_hiconn page 2-143
acc_handle_loconn page 2-145
acc_handle_scope page 2-159
acc_handle_by_name page 2-136
acc_handle_simulated_net page 2-160
2-28 Version 1.0

MODIFY Routines
2.11
MODIFY Routines
2.11.1
Function
MODIFY routines alter the values of a variety of objects in the design hierarchy. The
following table shows the types of values that can be modified for particular objects:
MODIFY routines alter: for these objects:

delay values primitives
module paths
inter-module paths
module input ports
timing checks
value register
UDPs
Table 2-17: Values that can be modified
2.11.2
List of MODIFY Routines

acc_append_delays page 2-37
acc_replace_delays page 2-229
acc_set_value page 2-244
Version 1.0 2-29

NEXT Routines
2.12
NEXT Routines
2.12.1
Function
When used inside a loop construct, NEXT routines find each object of a given type that
is related to a particular reference object in the design hierarchy.
2.12.2
Names
The name of each routine begins with the prefix acc_next_ and indicates the type of
object desired—the target object. For example, acc_next_net retrieves each net in
a module, while acc_next_driver retrieves each terminal driving a net.
2.12.3
Reference Objects and Target Objects
A target object is the type of object to be returned by a NEXT routine. A reference
object indicates to the NEXT routine where it must look for its first target object. Often,
a reference object relates to a target object in some way—for example, by containing
or connecting to the target object.
2.12.4
Arguments
Typically, NEXT routines require two arguments:
1. The first argument is a handle to the reference object.
2. The second argument is an input handle that indicates whether to retrieve the first
or next target object.
The one exception is acc_next_topmod which finds each top-level module in the
design; its reference object—top-level module— is implied in the routine name, so it
does not require the first argument.
2.12.5
Return Values
Each call to a NEXT routine returns a handle to the object it finds. You can pass this
handle as an argument to other access routines.
2-30 Version 1.0

NEXT Routines
2.12.6
How NEXT Routines Work
The following table summarizes how NEXT routines work (assuming their first
argument is a valid reference object):
When: NEXT routine returns:

the second argument is null handle to the first target object
related to the reference object
the second argument is a handle to a handle to the next target

target object returned by a previous call object related to the reference
to the routine object
no target objects remain for a particular null handle

reference object
no target objects are found initially for a null handle

particular reference object
an error occurs null handle
Table 2-18: How NEXT routines work
Looping
Each call to a NEXT routine returns only one handle; therefore, to retrieve all objects
of a desired type for a particular reference object, place the NEXT routine in a while
loop that terminates when the routine returns null.
2.12.7
How to Use NEXT Routines
Follow these steps to use NEXT routines for retrieving all objects of a given type at a
certain level in the design hierarchy:
1. Declare handle variables for the reference object argument and the first/next
argument.
2. Use an access routine to retrieve the handle of the desired reference object.
3. Set the first/next handle variable to null.
4. Call the NEXT routine using the same handle variable for the return value and
for the first/next argument; this technique automatically updates the first/next
argument to point to the last object found for a particular reference object.
5. Place the NEXT routine call inside a while loop that terminates when the return
value is null.
Version 1.0 2-31

NEXT Routines
2.12.8
Example: Display Names of Nets Within a Module
The following sample C-language routine display_net_names uses a NEXT
routine to display the names of all nets in a module.
display_net_names()
{
handle module_handle;
handle net_handle;
/*initialize environment for access routines*/
acc_initialize();
/*set the development version*/
/*get handle for module*/
module_handle = acc_handle_tfarg(1);
/*display names of all nets in the module*/
net_handle = null;
while( net_handle = acc_next_net( module_handle, net_handle ) )
io_printf( "Net name is: %s\n", acc_fetch_fullname( net_handle ) );
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-6: Displaying names of nets in a module
2-32 Version 1.0

NEXT Routines
2.12.9
List of NEXT Routines

acc_next page 2-180
acc_next_bit page 2-184
acc_next_cell page 2-187
acc_next_cell_load page 2-189
acc_next_child page 2-192
acc_next_driver page 2-194
acc_next_hiconn page 2-195
acc_next_load page 2-199
acc_next_loconn page 2-202
acc_next_modpath page 2-204
acc_next_net page 2-205
acc_next_parameter page 2-210
acc_next_port page 2-211
acc_next_portout page 2-213
acc_next_primitive page 2-214
acc_next_specparam page 2-215
acc_next_tchk page 2-216
acc_next_terminal page 2-218
acc_next_topmod page 2-219
acc_next_input page 2-197
acc_next_output page 2-207
Version 1.0 2-33

UTILITY Routines
2.13
UTILITY Routines
2.13.1
Function
UTILITY routines perform a variety of operations, such as initializing and configuring
the access routine environment.
2.13.2
List of UTILITY Routines

acc_close page 2-49
acc_collect page 2-51
acc_compare_handles page 2-53
acc_configure page 2-55
acc_count page 2-68
acc_free page 2-134
acc_initialize page 2-178
acc_object_in_typelist page 2-221
acc_object_of_type page 2-223
acc_set_scope page 2-241
acc_version page 2-253
acc_release_object page 2-226
acc_product_version page 2-225
2-34 Version 1.0

VCL Routines
2.14
VCL Routines
The Value Change Link (VCL) allows a PLI application to monitor the value changes
of selected objects. It consists of two PLI access routines that tell the Verilog simulator
to start or stop informing an application when an object changes value.
2.14.1
VCL Objects
The VCL can monitor value changes for the following objects:
• events
• scalar and vector registers
• scalar nets
• bit-selects of expanded vector nets
• unexpanded vector nets
The VCL cannot extract information about the following objects:
• bit-selects of unexpanded vector nets or registers
• part-selects
• memories
• expressions (such as a+b)
2.14.2
List of VCL Routines

acc_vcl_add page 2-247
acc_vcl_delete page 2-250
Version 1.0 2-35

Alphabetical List of Access Routines
2.15
This section describes the various PLI access routines, explaining their function,
syntax, and usage. The routines are described in alphabetical order.
2-36 Version 1.0

2.15.1
acc_append_delays
acc_append_delays for single delay per transition
function when accMinTypMaxDelays is "false", adds delays passed as arguments to existing delay
values for primitives, module paths, timing checks or module input ports
syntax
primitives: acc_append_delays( primitive_handle,
rise_delay, fall_delay, z_delay);
module acc_append_delays( path_handle,

paths: delay1, delay2, delay3,
delay4, delay5, delay6);
timing acc_append_delays( timing_check_handle, limit);

checks:
ports: acc_append_delays( port_handle, rise_delay, fall_delay, z_delay);
port’s acc_append_delays( bit_handle, rise_delay, fall_delay, z_delay);

bits:
arguments name type description

inputs: object_handle handle handle of a primitive, module path, timing check,
module input port or bit of a module input port
primitives, rise_delay double object’s rise delay

ports,
port’s bits: fall_delay double object’s fall delay
z_delay double object’s turn-off delay

(depends on accToHiZDelay)
module delay1 double module path’s delay for transitions determined by
paths accPathDelayCount
delay2 double module path’s delay for transitions determined by
(depends on accPathDelayCount) accPathDelayCount
timing limit double timing check’s limit
checks
related Use acc_configure(accMinTypMaxDelays, "false") for single delay per transition

routines Use acc_configure( accPathDelayCount... ) to set number of module path delays to append
Use acc_configure(accToHiZDelay...) to calculate turn-off delays from rise and fall delay values
Version 1.0 2-37

acc_append_delays (min:typ:max delays)
function when accMinTypMaxDelays is "true", adds min:typ:max delay values contained in an array to
existing delay values for primitives, module paths, timing checks or module input ports
syntax
primitives: acc_append_delays( primitive_handle, array_ptr);
module acc_append_delays( path_handle, array_ptr);

paths:
timing acc_append_delays( timing_check_handle, array_ptr);
checks:
ports: acc_append_delays( port_handle, array_ptr);
port’s acc_append_delays( bit_handle, array_ptr);

bits:

array_ptr double pointer to array of min:typ:max values

address (see Table 2-20)
related Use acc_configure(accMinTypMaxDelays, "true") for min:typ:max delays for each transition
routines
The access routine acc_append_delays works differently depending on how the

configuration parameter accMinTypMaxDelays is set. When this parameter is set
to "false", acc_append_delays assumes a single delay per transition and
expects each delay to be passed as an individual argument. For this single delay mode,
the first syntax table in this section applies.
When accMinTypMaxDelays is set to "true", acc_append_delays expects
one or more sets of min:typ:max delays to be passed in an array, rather than single
delays passed as individual arguments. For this min:typ:max delay mode, the second
syntax table in this section applies.
Different delays for different objects

The routine acc_append_delays writes different delay values for different
objects, as summarized in Table 2-19 and Table 2-20. Table 2-19 applies when
acc_append_delays is set for single delay mode ( accMinTypMaxDelays is
"false") and Table 2-20 applies when this routine is set for min:typ:max delay mode
( accMinTypMaxDelays is "true").
2-38 Version 1.0

For: acc_append_delays writes:

primitives with a Z state: two or three delays:
bufif gates depends on how you configure
notif gates accToHiZDelay
MOS switches
primitives with no Z state two delays:

rise delay, rise_delay
fall delay, fall_delay
module paths one, two, three or six delays:

depends on how you configure
accPathDelayCount
timing checks one delay:

timing check limit, limit
module input or inout ports two or three delays:

(MIPDs) depends on how you configure
accToHiZDelay
Table 2-19: How acc_append_delays writes delays in single delay mode
In single delay mode, it is up to the user to supply the correct number of delay
arguments to acc_append_delays, as follows:
• MIPDs and Z-state primitives require three delay arguments— rise_delay,
fall_delay and Z_delay—if accToHiZDelay is set to " from_user"
(the default).
• MIPDs and Z-state primitives require two delay arguments— rise_delay and
fall_delay—if accToHiZDelay is set to " average", " max" or " min".
• Primitives with no Z state require two delay arguments— rise_delay and
fall_delay.
• Module paths require one, two, three or six delay arguments, depending on how
you configure accPathDelayCount.
• Timing checks require one limit argument— limit.
For more information on the configuration parameters accToHiZDelay and
accPathDelayCount, refer to Table 2-21, Table 2-22 and Table 2-23.
Table 2-20 shows how acc_append_delays writes delays in min:typ:max delay
mode.
Version 1.0 2-39

For: acc_append_delays: The delay array must pass:

module input writes three sets of min:typ:max delays: nine values:
ports one set for rise delays array[0] = minimum rise delay
one set for fall delays array[1] = typical rise delay
primitives one set for turn-off delays array[2] = maximum rise delay
array[3] = minimum fall delay
array[4] = typical fall delay
array[5] = maximum fall delay
array[6] = minimum turn-off delay
array[7] = typical turn-off delay
array[8] = maximum turn-off delay
(you must always declare an array

of size 9, even if turn-off delays are
not used)
module paths writes one, two, three or six sets of three, six, nine or18 values:
min:typ:max delays: (see Table 2-22)
accPathDelayCount
(see Table 2-22)
timing checks writes one set of min:typ:max delays: three values:

timing check limit array[0] = minimum timing check
limit
array[1] = typical timing check
limit
array[2] = maximum timing check
limit
Table 2-20: How acc_append_delays writes delays in min:typ:max delay mode
There are several points to note in Table 2-20:

• For module input ports and primitives, always declare an array of size 9, even
if the primitives do not have a Z state.
• The routine acc_append_delays does not support inter-module paths.
• The configuration parameter accPathDelayCount affects the min:typ:max
delays processed for module paths. Table 2-22 describes these effects in greater
detail.
Setting delays for module paths (single delay mode)

In single delay mode, you can control how many delays acc_append_delays
writes for module paths by using the access routine acc_configure to set the delay
count parameter accPathDelayCount as shown in Table 2-21.
2-40 Version 1.0

When
accPathDelayCount is: acc_append_delays writes:
1 one delay value, the same for all
transitions: delay1
(last five delay arguments may be dropped)
2 two delay values:

one for rising transitions: delay1
one for falling transitions: delay2
(last four delay arguments may be dropped)
3 three delay values:

one for transitions to z: delay3
(last three delay arguments may be
dropped)
6 all six delay values, a different delay for

(the default) each possible transition among 0, 1 and z:
one for 01 transitions: delay1
one for 0z transitions: delay3
one for z1 transitions: delay4
Table 2-21: How accPathDelayCount affects module path delays in single delay mode
The minimum number of delay arguments to pass to acc_append_delays must

equal the value of accPathDelayCount. You may drop any remaining arguments.
The following example shows how to set accPathDelayCount so that
acc_append_delays writes rise and fall delays for module paths:
acc_configure( accPathDelayCount, "2" );
If you do not set accPathDelayCount explicitly, it defaults to 6; in this case, you
must pass all six delay arguments when you call acc_append_delays in single
delay mode.
Setting delays for module paths (min:typ:max mode)

The following rules apply when you modify min:typ:max delays for module paths:
• the number of sets of min:typ:max delays must equal the value of
accPathDelayCount
• the size of the delay array must be three times the value of
accPathDelayCount
Version 1.0 2-41

Table 2-22 summarizes how accPathDelayCount affects min:typ:max delays for

module paths.
2-42 Version 1.0

When The number of sets of The delay array

accPathDelayCount min:typ:max path delays must pass or retrieve:
is: is:
"1" one: three values:
the same minimum, typical and array[0] = minimum delay
maximum delay for all transitions array[1] = typical delay
array[2] = maximum delay
"2" two: six values:

one set for rising transitions array[0] = minimum rise delay
one set for falling transitions array[1] = typical rise delay
array[2] = maximum rise delay
"3" three: nine values:

one set for transitions to z array[2] = maximum rise delay
"6" six: 18 values:

(the default) one set for 01 transitions array[0] = minimum 01 delay
one set for 10 transitions array[1] = typical 01 delay
one set for 0z transitions array[2] = maximum 01 delay
one set for z1 transitions array[3] = minimum 10 delay
one set for 1z transitions array[4] = typical 10 delay
one set for z0 transitions array[5] = maximum 10 delay
array[6] = minimum 0z delay
array[7] = typical 0z delay
array[8] = maximum 0z delay
array[9] = minimum z1 delay
array[10] = typical z1 delay
array[11] = maximum z1 delay
Table 2-22: The relationship between accPathDelayCount and min:typ:max delays for module paths
Version 1.0 2-43

Setting module input port delays (MIPDs)

Use acc_append_delays to specify Module Input Port Delays (MIPDs). An MIPD
is a delay associated with a module input port or inout port. The MIPD describes the
delay between the module port and each of the loads in its fanout. In an MIPD you can
specify rise, fall, and high impedance propagation delays.
You can write an MIPD for each individual bit of a vector port using
acc_append_delays in conjunction with acc_next_bit. For more
information, see Section 2.15.49.
Declaring the array that holds min:typ:max values

Use Table 2-20 and Table 2-22 to decide how large to make the array that passes or
holds min:typ:max values. The array must be able to store the correct number of delays
that will be processed. Declaring an array that is too small will cause errors or
unpredictable results.
Calculating turn-off delays from rise and fall delays

In single delay mode, you can instruct acc_append_delays to automatically
calculate turn-off delays from rise and fall delays by using the access routine
acc_configure to set the parameter accToHiZDelay as follows:
When accToHiZDelay is: acc_append_delays:
"average" calculates turn-off delay as the

average of the rise and fall delays
"min" calculates turn-off delay as the

smaller of the rise and fall delays
"max" calculates turn-off delay as the larger

of the rise and fall delays
"from_user" sets turn-off delay to the value passed

(default) as a user-supplied argument:
z_delay for primitives, ports
and port’s bits.
Table 2-23: How the value of accToHiZDelay affects acc_append_delays
The following example shows how to set accToHiZDelay so that

acc_append_delays calculates turn-off delays as the average of rise and fall
delays for Z-state primitives:
acc_configure( accToHiZDelay, "average" );
Note that the value you assign to accToHiZDelay also influences how
acc_replace_delays derives turn-off delays.
2-44 Version 1.0

Effect of timescales
The routine acc_append_delays writes delays in the timescale of the module that
contains object_handle.
Usage example: single delay mode

The following C-language routine, write_gate_delays, is an example of back
annotation. It reads new delay values from a file called primdelay.dat and uses
acc_append_delays to add them to the current delays on a gate. The format of the
file is shown in Figure 2-7. The source code appears in Figure 2-8.
rise delay
• turn-off delay
•
top.m1.buf4 10.5 15.0 20.7
•
name of gate • fall delay
Figure 2-7: Format of file primdelay.dat
Version 1.0 2-45

#include <stdio.h>
write_gate_delays()
{
FILE *infile;
char full_gate_name[NAME_SIZE];
double rise,fall,toz;
handle gate_handle;
/*initialize the environment for access routines*/

acc_initialize();
/*set development version*/

/*read delays from file - "r" means read only*/

infile = fopen("primdelay.dat","r");
while( fscanf(infile, "%s %lf %lf %lf",
full_gate_name,rise,fall,toz) != EOF )
{
/*get handle for the gate*/

gate_handle = acc_handle_object(full_gate_name);
/*add new delays to current values for the gate*/

acc_append_delays( gate_handle, rise, fall, toz );
}
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-8: Using write_gate_delays to back annotate delay values
Note that the identifier EOF is a predefined constant that stands for end of file;
NAME_SIZE is a user-defined constant that represents the maximum number of
characters allowed for any object name in an input file.
2-46 Version 1.0

Usage example: min:typ:max delay mode

To append min:typ:max delays for a primitive that does not have a Z state, follow these
steps in your C routine:
1. Declare an array of 9 double-precision floating-point values to hold three sets
of min:typ:max values, one each for rising transitions, falling transitions and
transitions to Z.
2. Set the configuration parameter accMinTypMaxDelays to "true" to
instruct acc_append_delays to write delays in min:typ:max format.
3. Call acc_append_delays with a valid primitive handle and the array
pointer.
The following example C-language application shows how to append min:typ:max
delays for a primitive. Assume for this example that append_mintypmax_delays
is associated through the interface mechanism with a user-defined system task called
$appendprimdelays. A primitive with no Z state and new delay values are passed
as arguments to $appendprimdelays as follows:
primitive (no Z state)
$appendprimdelays( g1, 3.0, 5.0, 6.7, 2.4, 8.1, 9.1 );

minimum
minimum maximum typical
fall delay
rise delay typical rise delay fall delay maximum
rise delay fall delay
#include "veriuser.h"
delay_array must be
append_mintypmax_delays( ) large enough to hold
{ nine values to handle
both Z-state primitives
handle prim; and primitives with no
double delay_array[9]; Z states
int i;
acc_configure( accMinTypMaxDelays, "true" );
/* get handle for primitive */

prim = acc_handle_tfarg( 1 );
/* store new delay values in array */

for ( i = 0; i < 9; i++ )
delay_array[i] = acc_fetch_tfarg(i+2);
/* append min:typ:max delays */

acc_append_delays( prim, delay_array );
}
Figure 2-9: Appending min:typ:max delays on a primitive
Version 1.0 2-47

In this example, acc_append_delays modifies delays as follows:

• sets the minimum rise delay to 3.0 time units
• sets the typical rise delay to 5.0 time units
• sets the maximum rise delay to 6.7 time units
• sets the minimum fall delay to 2.4 time units
• sets the typical fall delay to 8.1 time units
• sets the maximum fall delay to 9.1 time units
• does not write minimum turn-off, typical turn-off and maximum turn-off delays
because prim has no Z state
2-48 Version 1.0

2.15.2
acc_close
acc_close
function frees internal memory used by access routines; resets all configuration parameters to default values
syntax acc_close( );
arguments none
related acc_initialize()
routines
The difference between acc_close and acc_free

The routine acc_close frees memory that all access routines use for internal storage;
it also resets all configuration parameters to their default values. In contrast, the routine
acc_free frees memory that you allocate to store the array of handles returned by
acc_collect.
When to call acc_close

Call acc_close at the end of any C-language routine that calls access routines. It is
important that you do not call any other access routines after calling acc_close.
Avoiding application interference

Potentially, multiple PLI applications running in the same simulation session can
interfere with each other because they share the same set of configuration parameters.
To guard against application interference, both acc_initialize and
acc_close reset any configuration parameters that have changed from their default
values.
Version 1.0 2-49

Usage example
The following example presents a C-language routine, show_versions, that calls
acc_close before exiting.
show_versions()
{
acc_initialize();
/*show version of access routines*/
/* and version of simulator that is linked to access routines*/
io_printf("Running %s with %s\n",acc_version(),acc_product_version() );
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-10: Using show_versions to display the version of access routines linked to a Verilog simulator
2-50 Version 1.0

2.15.3
acc_collect
acc_collect
returns a pointer to an array that contains handles for all objects related to a particular reference object
function
syntax handle_array_pointer = acc_collect(NEXT_routine, object_handle, number_of_objects);
inputs: NEXT_routine pointer to a NEXT routine: actual name (unquoted) of the NEXT routine
that finds the object of interest
object_handle handle handle of the reference object
output: number_of_objects integer address number of objects collected
related all NEXT routines

routines Use acc_free to free memory allocated by acc_collect for the handle array
What is a reference object?

A reference object provides a frame of reference for a NEXT routine to indicate where
it must look for its first target object. Often, a reference object relates to a target object
in some way—for example, by containing or connecting to the target object.
The object associated with object_handle must be the same as the reference object
required by NEXT_routine.
When to use acc_collect instead of a NEXT routine

Use acc_collect in either of these situations:
• to retrieve data that you plan to use more than once
• instead of using nested or concurrent calls to acc_next_loconn,
acc_next_hiconn, acc_next_load, and acc_next_cell_load
routines
Otherwise, it is more efficient to use NEXT routines.
Version 1.0 2-51

You cannot pass acc_next_topmod to acc_collect

The access routine acc_next_topmod does not work with acc_collect.
However, you can collect top-level modules by passing acc_next_child with a
null reference object argument. Here is a sample call that collects top-level modules:
acc_collect( acc_next_child, null, &count );
Managing memory
The routine acc_collect allocates memory for the array of handles it returns. When
you no longer need the contents of the handle array, it is important to free this memory
by calling the access routine acc_free, described in Section 2.15.26.
Usage example
The following example presents a C-language routine, display_nets, that uses
acc_collect to collect and display all nets in a module.
display_nets()
{
handle *list_of_nets,module_handle;
int net_count, i;

acc_initialize();

/*get handle for the module*/

/*collect all nets in the module*/

list_of_nets = acc_collect( acc_next_net, module_handle, &net_count);
/*display names of net instances*/

for( i=0; i < net_count; i++ )
io_printf( "Net name is: %s\n", acc_fetch_name( list_of_nets[i] ));
/*free memory used by array list_of_nets*/

acc_free( list_of_nets );
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-11: Using display_nets to display all nets in a module
2-52 Version 1.0

2.15.4
acc_compare_handles
acc_compare_handles
returns true if the two input handles refer to the same object
function
syntax bool_value = acc_compare_handles(handle1, handle2);
inputs: handle1 handle handles to any objects

handle2
In some cases, two different handles can reference the same object if each handle is
retrieved in a different way—for example, if a NEXT routine returns one handle and
acc_handle_object returns the other. The access routine
acc_compare_handles allows you to determine if two handles refer to the same
object.
Use acc_compare_handles instead of ==

Do not use the following if construct to compare two handles:
if ( handle1 == handle2 ) /* this is not correct */
You cannot use the == operator to determine if two handles reference the same object.
Version 1.0 2-53

Usage example
The following C-language function uses acc_compare_handles to determine if a
primitive drives the specified output of a scalar port of a module.
bool prim_drives_scalar_port( prim, mod, port_num )

handle prim, mod;
int port_num;
{
/* retrieve net connected to scalar port */
handle port = acc_handle_port( mod, port_num );
handle port_conn = acc_next_loconn( port, null );
/* retrieve net connected to primitive output */

handle out_term = acc_handle_terminal( prim, 0 );
handle prim_conn = acc_handle_conn( out_term );
/* compare handles */
if ( acc_compare_handles( port_conn, prim_conn ) )
return( true );
else
return( false ); If port_conn and prim_conn
} refer to the same connection,
then the prim drives port
Figure 2-12: Using acc_compare_handles to compare two handles
2-54 Version 1.0

2.15.5
acc_configure
acc_configure
function sets parameters that control the operation of various access routines
syntax load_handle = acc_configure(configuration_parameter, configuration_value);
inputs: configuration_parameter character_string_constant a parameter that controls the operation

of one or more access routines, chosen
from one of the following:
accDefaultAttr0
accDevelopmentVersion
accDisplayErrors
accDisplayWarnings
accEnableArgs
accMapToMipd
accMinTypMaxDelays
accPathDelayCount
accPathDelimStr
accToHiZDelay
configuration_value character string pointer: one of a fixed set of values for

quoted string literal or configuration_parameter
character pointer variable
related For accDefaultAttr0: For accMapToMipd: For accPathDelimStr:

routines acc_fetch_attribute acc_append_delays acc_fetch_attribute
acc_replace_delays acc_fetch_fullname
For accDevelopmentVersion acc_fetch_name
all access routines For accMinTypMaxDelays:
acc_append_delays For accToHiZDelay:
For accDisplayErrors: acc_fetch_delays acc_append_delays
all access routines acc_replace_delays acc_replace_delays
For accDisplayWarnings For accPathDelayCount:

all access routines acc_append_delays
acc_fetch_delays
For accEnableArgs acc_replace_delays
acc_handle_modpath
acc_handle_tchk
acc_set_scope
List of parameters and their values

The following tables describe each parameter and its set of values. A call to either
acc_initialize or acc_close sets each configuration parameter to its default
value (see Sections 2.15.2 and 2.15.47 for further information).
Version 1.0 2-55

Set of values Effect Default
"true" acc_fetch_attribute returns zero when it "false"

does not find the attribute requested, and
ignores the argument default_value
accDefaultAttr0
"false" acc_fetch_attribute returns the value
passed as the argument default_value
when it does not find the attribute
requested
Table 2-24: Using accDefaultAttr0 configuration parameter
a sequence of ensures backward compatibility by current

letters, numbers, indicating to the PLI which version of version of
accDevelopmentVersion and the period access routines was used to develop a access
character that form particular C-language application routines
a valid PLI version,
such as "1.6a"
Table 2-25: Using accDevelopmentVersion configuration parameter
accDisplayErrors "true" access routines display error messages "true"
"false" access routines do not display error

messages
Table 2-26: Using accDisplayErrors configuration parameter
accDisplayWarnings "true" access routines display warning "false"

messages
"false" access routines do not display warning

messages
Table 2-27: Using accDisplayWarnings configuration parameter
2-56 Version 1.0

"acc_handle_modpath" acc_handle_modpath "no_acc_handle_modpath"

recognizes its optional
arguments "no_acc_handle_tchk"
"no_acc_handle_modpath" acc_handle_modpath "no_acc_set_scope"

ignores its optional
arguments
"acc_handle_tchk" acc_handle_tchk
accEnableArgs recognizes its optional
arguments
"no_acc_handle_tchk" acc_handle_tchk ignores its

optional arguments
"acc_set_scope" acc_set_scope recognizes

its optional arguments
"no_acc_set_scope" acc_set_scope ignores its

optional arguments
Table 2-28: Using accEnableArgs configuration parameter
"max" Map the longest inter-module path delay "max"

to the MIPD
accMapToMipd "min" Map the shortest inter-module path delay

to the MIPD
"latest" Map the inter-module path delay last

modified by acc_replace_delays to the
MIPD
Table 2-29: Using accMapToMipd configuration parameter
Version 1.0 2-57

"true" acc_append_delays, "false"

acc_fetch_delays,
acc_replace_delays
handle one, two, three, or six sets
of min:typ:max delays passed in
one array
the number of sets depends on

whether min:typ:max delays apply
to primitives, module paths, timing
checks, module input ports, or inter-
module paths
accMinTypMaxDelays
"false" acc_append_delays,
acc_fetch_delays,
acc_replace_delays
handle one, two, three, or six delays
passed as individual arguments
each argument represents a single

delay
the number of arguments depends on

whether delays apply to primitives,
module paths, timing checks, module
input ports, or inter-module paths
Table 2-30: Using accMinTypMaxDelays configuration parameter
2-58 Version 1.0

"1" acc_append_delays, "6"

acc_fetch_delays, acc_replace_delays
take one delay argument when
accMinTypMaxDelays is "false" and a
pointer to an array of size 3 when
accMinTypMaxDelays is "true"
"2" acc_append_delays,
take two delay arguments when
accPathDelayCount
take three delay arguments when
take three delay argument pairs
take six delay arguments when
Table 2-31: Using accPathDelayCount configuration parameter
Version 1.0 2-59

accPathDelimStr any sequence of use the string literal as the delimiter that "$"
letters, numbers, $ separates the source from the destination
or _ in module path names
Table 2-32: Using accPathDelimStr configuration parameter
acc_append_delays and "from_user"

acc_replace_delays derive turn-off
delays as follows:
"average" from the average of the rise and

fall delays
accToHiZDelay
"max" from the larger of the rise and fall
delays
"min" from the smaller of the rise and

fall delays
"from_user" from user-supplied argument(s)
Table 2-33: Using accToHiZDelay configuration parameter
2-60 Version 1.0

Usage example: accDefaultAttr0

The following example presents a C-language routine,
display_load_capacitance, that obtains the load capacitance of all scalar nets
connected to the ports in a module. This routine uses acc_configure to direct
acc_fetch_attribute to return the value zero if a load capacitance is not found
for a net; as a result, the third argument, default_value, can be dropped from the
call to acc_fetch_attribute.
display_load_capacitance()
{
handle module_handle, port_handle, net_handle;
double cap_val;

acc_initialize();

/*configure acc_fetch_attribute to return 0 when it does not find*/

/* the attribute*/
acc_configure( accDefaultAttr0, "true" );

module_handle = acc_handle_tfarg( 1 );
/*scan all ports in module; display load capacitance*/

port_handle = null;
while( port_handle = acc_next_port( module_handle, port_handle ) )
{
/*ports are scalar, so pass "null" to get single net connection*/
net_handle = acc_next_loconn( port_handle, null );
/*since accDefaultAttr0 is "true", drop default_value argument*/

cap_val = acc_fetch_attribute( net_handle,"LoadCap_" );
default_value
if (!acc_error_flag) argument is dropped
io_printf("Load capacitance of net #%d = %1f\n",
acc_fetch_index( port_handle ), cap_val );
}
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-13: Setting accDefaultAttr0
Version 1.0 2-61

Usage example: accDevelopmentVersion

The following example presents a C-language routine, display_net_names, that
displays the names of all nets in a module. It uses acc_configure to set
accDevelopmentVersion to "1.6a" to indicate that it was developed under the
PLI version 1.6a access routines.
display_net_names()
{
handle net_handle;

acc_initialize();
/*set version of access routines used to develop this application*/

acc_configure(accDevelopmentVersion, "1.6a");
/*get handle for module*/ configure

module_handle = acc_handle_tfarg(1); accDevelopmentVersion
after initializing access routines

net_handle = null;
while( net_handle = acc_next_net( module_handle, net_handle ) )
io_printf( "Net name is: %s\n", acc_fetch_fullname( net_handle ) );
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-14: Setting accDevelopmentVersion
2-62 Version 1.0

Usage example: accDisplayErrors

The routine display_top_modules uses acc_configure to suppress
automatic error reporting. Instead, the routine checks acc_error_flag explicitly
and displays its own specialized error message which pinpoints the system task or
function that invokes the C-language routine—in this case, $displaytopmods.
display_top_modules()
{
handle top_mod_handle;

acc_initialize();

/*disable error message display*/

acc_configure( accDisplayErrors, "false" );
top_mod_handle = null;
while( top_mod_handle = acc_next_topmod(top_mod_handle) )
io_printf("Top module: %s\n", acc_fetch_name(top_mod_handle));
/* if exit while loop due to error condition, report */

if (acc_error_flag)
io_printf("Error in $displaytopmods : exiting task\n");
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-15: Setting accDisplayErrors
Version 1.0 2-63

Usage example: accDisplayWarnings

The following example presents a checktf routine, check_new_timing, that
validates arguments passed to its associated system task. It uses acc_configure to
make sure warning messages issued by acc_handle_tfarg are displayed.
check_new_timing()
{
handle gate_handle;
/* initialize and configure access routines */

acc_initialize();
/* set development version */

/* enable warning reporting by access routines*/

acc_configure( accDisplayWarnings, "true" );
/* check type of first argument—the object */

/* check for valid argument */

if (!acc_error_flag)
/* make sure it’s a primitive */
if ( acc_fetch_type(gate_handle) != accPrimitive )
tf_error("Invalid argument not a primitive\n");
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-16: Setting accDisplayWarnings
2-64 Version 1.0

Example: accEnableArgs
The following example presents a C-language routine, get_path, that displays the
name of a module path. It uses acc_configure to set accEnableArgs and,
therefore, force acc_handle_modpath to ignore its null name arguments and
recognize its optional handle arguments, src_handle and dst_handle.
get_path()
{
handle path_handle,mod_handle,src_handle,dst_handle;

acc_initialize();

/*set accEnableArgs for acc_handle_modpath*/

acc_configure( accEnableArgs, "acc_handle_modpath" );
/*get handles to the three system task arguments:*/

/* arg 1 is module name */
/* arg 2 is module path source */ acc_handle_modpath uses
/* arg 3 is module path destination */ optional handle arguments
src_handle and
mod_handle = acc_handle_tfarg( 1 ); dst_handle because:
src_handle = acc_handle_tfarg( 2 );
accEnableArgs is set
dst_handle = acc_handle_tfarg( 3 ); and
the name arguments are null
/*display name of module path*/
path_handle = acc_handle_modpath( mod_handle,
null, null,
src_handle, dst_handle );
io_printf( "Path is %s \n", acc_fetch_fullname( path_handle ) );
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-17: Setting accEnableArgs
Version 1.0 2-65

Usage example: accPathDelayCount

In the next example, the C-language routine set_path_delays fetches the rise and
fall delays of each path in a module, and back annotates the maximum delay value as
the delay for all transitions. The value of accPathDelayCount specifies the
minimum number of arguments you must pass to routines that read or write delay
values—in this case, acc_fetch_delays and acc_replace_delays.
set_path_delays()
{
handle mod_handle;
handle path_handle;
double rise_delay,fall_delay,max_delay;
acc_initialize();
/*get handle to module*/
mod_handle = acc_handle_tfarg( 1 );
/*fetch rise delays for all paths in module "top.m1"*/
path_handle = null;
while( path_handle = acc_next_modpath(mod_handle, path_handle) )
{
/*configure accPathDelayCount for rise and fall delays only*/
acc_configure( accPathDelayCount, "2" ); only 2 delay
acc_fetch_delays(path_handle, &rise_delay, &fall_delay); arguments are needed
/*find the maximum of the rise and fall delays*/

max_delay = (rise_delay > fall_delay) ? rise_delay : fall_delay;
/*configure accPathDelayCount to apply one delay for all transitions*/
acc_replace_delays(path_handle, max_delay);
} only 1 delay
acc_close(); argument is needed
}
Figure 2-18: Setting accPathDelayCount
By setting accPathDelayCount to the minimum number of arguments needed for

acc_fetch_delays and again for acc_replace_delays, all unused
arguments can be eliminated from each call.
2-66 Version 1.0

Usage example: accToHiZDelay

The following example shows how the C-language routine set_buf_delays sets
accToHiZDelay to direct acc_replace_delays to automatically derive the
turn-off delay for a Z-state primitive as the larger of its rise and fall delays.
set_buf_delays()
{
handle primitive_handle;
handle path_handle;
double added_rise, added_fall;

acc_initialize();

/*configure accToHiZDelay so acc_append_delays derives turn-off */

/* delay from the smaller of the rise and fall delays*/
acc_configure( accToHiZDelay, "min" );
/*get handle to Z-state primitive*/

primitive_handle = acc_handle_tfarg( 1 );
/*get delay values*/

added_rise = tf_getrealp(2);
added_fall = tf_getrealp(3);
acc_append_delays(primitive_handle, added_rise, added_fall);
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-19: Setting accToHiZDelay
Version 1.0 2-67

2.15.6
acc_count
acc_count
function returns an integer count of the number of objects related to a particular reference object
integer_variable = acc_count(NEXT_routine_name, object_handle);

syntax
inputs: NEXT_routine_name pointer to a NEXT routine actual name (unquoted) of the

NEXT routine that finds the object
of interest
object_handle handle handle of the reference object
related all NEXT routines except acc_next_topmod

routine
What is a reference object?

A reference object provides a frame of reference for a NEXT routine to indicate where
it must look for its first target object. Often, a reference object relates to a target object
in some way—for example, by containing or connecting to the target object.
The object associated with object_handle must be the same as the reference object
required by NEXT_routine_name.
You cannot pass acc_next_topmod to acc_count

The access routine acc_next_topmod does not work with acc_count. However,
you can count top-level modules by passing acc_next_child with a null reference
object argument. Here is a sample call that counts top-level modules:
acc_count( acc_next_child, null );
2-68 Version 1.0

Usage example
The following example shows a C-language routine, count_nets, that uses
acc_count to count the number of nets in a module.
count_nets()
{
int number_of_nets;

acc_initialize();


/*count and display number of nets in the module*/

number_of_nets = acc_count( acc_next_net, module_handle );
io_printf( "number of nets = %d\n", number_of_nets );
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-20: Using count_nets to count the number of nets in a module
Version 1.0 2-69

2.15.7
acc_fetch_attribute
acc_fetch_attribute
function returns the value of a parameter or specparam named as an attribute in your source description
syntax double_value = acc_fetch_attribute(object_handle, attribute_string, default_value);
inputs: object_handle handle handle of a named object
attribute_string character string pointer: the attribute portion of the

quoted string literal or parameter or specparam
character pointer variable declaration
default_value double double precision value to be

(depends on accDefaultAttr0) returned if the attribute is not found
Use acc_configure( accDefaultAttr0...) to set default value returned when attribute is not found
related Use acc_fetch_paramval for parameters or specparams not declared in attribute/object format
routines Use acc_handle_object to obtain the handle for the first argument, object_handle
Naming attributes
The routine acc_fetch_attribute obtains the value of a parameter or specparam
that you declare as an attribute in your source description. Any parameter or specparam
can be an attribute, as long you name it in one of the following ways:
• to associate the attribute with a particular object in the module where the
attribute is declared
• to specify a more general attribute—that is, one that may be associated with
more than one object in the module where the attribute is declared
Each of these methods uses its own naming convention, as described in Table 2-34.
2-70 Version 1.0

When: use a name: in this format:

you want to associate that concatenates a attribute_string object_name
an attribute with a mnemonic name
particular object that describes the
attribute with the
name of the object
you want the attribute to that describes only

attribute_string
be general the attribute
Table 2-34: Naming conventions for attributes
For either convention, attribute_string names the attribute and must be passed
as the second argument to acc_fetch_attribute. The object_name is the
actual name of a design object in your source description.
The following example shows how to name a specparam as an attribute associated with
a particular object—the drive strength of a gate called g1:
specparam DriveStrength$g1 = 2.8;
Here, attribute_string is DriveStrength$ and object_name is g1.
To make the drive strength a more general attribute, specify it this way:
specparam DriveStrength$ = 2.8;
Now, the name contains only the attribute_string, which is
DriveStrength$.
Module path names

The access routine acc_fetch_attribute identifies module paths in terms of
their sources and destinations in the following format:
source path_delimiter destination

In particular, acc_fetch_fullname and acc_fetch_name return names of
module paths in this format, and acc_fetch_attribute looks for module path
names in this format. Therefore, you must use the same naming convention when
associating an attribute with a module path.
Names of module paths with multiple sources or destinations are derived from the first
source or destination only.
By default, the path_delimiter is the character " $". However, you can override
this default by using the access routine acc_configure to set the delimiter
parameter accPathDelimStr to another character string (see Section 2.15.5).
Version 1.0 2-71

The following examples show how to name module paths using different delimiter
strings:
For module path: if then module

accPathDelimStr is: path name is:
(a => q) = 10; "$" a$q
(b * > q1,q2) = 8; "_$_" b_$_q1
(d,e,f * > r,s)= 8; "_" d_r
Table 2-35: Naming module paths using different delimiter strings
The next example shows how to use this naming convention to describe the rise
strength of module path ( a => q ) = 10 as an attribute in a source description:
specparam RiseStrength$a$q = 20;
Here, the attribute_string is RiseStrength$, the object_name is a$q,
and the path_delimiter is $, the default.
2-72 Version 1.0

How the routine works

The following flow chart illustrates how acc_fetch_attribute works:
search for attribute

associated with
specified object
yes return attribute’s value

found? as a double-precision
floating-point number
no
search for attribute

without an associated
object
yes
found?
no
return default value
Figure 2-21: How acc_fetch_attribute works
This illustration shows that when acc_fetch_attribute finds the attribute you
request, it returns the attribute’s value as a double-precision floating point number.
The routine first looks for the attribute name that concatenates attribute_string
with the name associated with object_handle. For example, to find an attribute
InputLoad$ for a net n1, acc_fetch_attribute searches for
InputLoad$n1.
If acc_fetch_attribute does not find the attribute associated with the object
you specify with object_handle, the routine then searches for a name that matches
attribute_string. Assume that, in the previous example,
acc_fetch_attribute does not find InputLoad$n1. It then looks for
InputLoad$. Other variants of that name, such as InputLoad$n3 or
InputLoad$n, are not considered matches.
Version 1.0 2-73

Failing both search attempts, the routine returns a default value. You can control the
default value by using the access routine acc_configure to set or reset the
configuration parameter accDefaultAttr0 as follows:
When accDefaultAttr0 is: acc_fetch_attribute returns:

true zero when the attribute is not found;
the default_value argument may
be dropped
false the value passed as the

default_value argument when the
attribute is not found
Table 2-36: Controlling the default value returned by acc_fetch_attribute
2-74 Version 1.0

Usage example
display_load_capacitance, that uses acc_fetch_attribute to obtain
the load capacitance of all scalar nets connected to the ports in a module.
display_load_capacitance()
{
handle module_handle, port_handle, net_handle;
double cap_val;

acc_initialize();

/*configure acc_fetch_attribute to return 0 when it does not find*/

/* the attribute*/
acc_configure( accDefaultAttr0, "true" );

/*scan all ports in module; display load capacitance*/

port_handle = null;
while( port_handle = acc_next_port( module_handle, port_handle ) )
{
/*ports are scalar, so pass "null" to get single net connection*/
net_handle = acc_next_loconn( port_handle, null );
/*since accDefaultAttr0 is "true", drop default_value argument*/

cap_val = acc_fetch_attribute( net_handle,"LoadCap_" );
if (!acc_error_flag)
io_printf("Load capacitance of net #%d = %1f\n",
acc_fetch_index( port_handle ), cap_val );
}
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-22: Obtaining the load capacitance of all scalar nets connected to module ports
Note that acc_fetch_attribute does not require its third argument,

default_value, because acc_configure sets accDefaultAttr0 to
"true".
Version 1.0 2-75

2.15.8
acc_fetch_defname
acc_fetch_defname
function returns a pointer to the defining name of a module instance or primitive instance
syntax character_pointer = acc_fetch_defname( object_handle);
input: object_handle handle handle of the module instance or

primitive instance
Usage example
get_primitive_definitions, that uses acc_fetch_defname to display
the defining names of all primitives in a module.
get_primitive_definitions(module_handle)
{
handle prim_handle;
/*get and display defining names of all primitives in the module*/

prim_handle = null;
while( prim_handle = acc_next_primitive( module_handle,prim_handle))
io_printf( "primitive definition is %s\n",
acc_fetch_defname( prim_handle ) );
}
Figure 2-23: Displaying the defining names of all primitives in a module
2-76 Version 1.0

2.15.9
acc_fetch_delays
acc_fetch_delays (single delay per transition)

when accMinTypMaxDelays is "false", passes back typical delay values for primitives, module
function paths, timing checks or module input ports as output arguments
syntax
primitives: acc_fetch_delays( primitive_handle,
rise_delay_addr, fall_delay_addr, z_delay_addr);
module acc_fetch_delays( path_handle,

paths: delay_addr1, delay_addr2, delay_addr3,
delay_addr4, delay_addr5, delay_addr6);
timing acc_fetch_delays( timing_check_handle, limit_addr);

checks:
ports: acc_fetch_delays( port_handle, rise_delay_addr, fall_delay_addr, z_delay_addr);
port’s bits acc_fetch_delays( bit_handle, rise_delay_addr, fall_delay_addr, z_delay_addr);

input: object_handle handle handle of a primitive, module path, timing check,
outputs:
primitives, rise_delay_addr double pointer to object’s rise delay
ports, address
port’s bits:
fall_delay_addr double pointer to object’s fall delay
address
z_delay_addr double pointer to object’s turn-off delay
address
module delay_addr1 double pointer to module path’s delay for transitions
paths address determined by accPathDelayCount
delay_addr2 double pointer to module path’s delay for transitions
(depends on accPathDelayCount) address determined by accPathDelayCount
timing limit_addr double pointer to timing check’s limit
checks address
related Use acc_configure( accPathDelayCount... ) to set number of delays for module path
routines Use acc_configure( accMinTypeMaxDelays, "false") for single delays per transition
Version 1.0 2-77

acc_fetch_delays (min:typ:max delays)
function when accMinTypMaxDelays is "true", passes back pointer to array of min:typ:max delay values
for primitives, module paths, timing checks, module input ports or inter-module paths
syntax
primitives: acc_fetch_delays( primitive_handle, array_ptr);
module acc_fetch_delays( path_handle, array_ptr);

paths:
timing acc_fetch_delays( timing_check_handle, array_ptr);
checks:
ports: acc_fetch_delays( port_handle, array_ptr);
port’s acc_fetch_delays( bit_handle, array_ptr);

bits:
inter-module acc_fetch_delays(intermod_path_handle, array_ptr);
paths

input: object_handle handle handle of a primitive, module path, inter-module
path, timing check, module input port or bit of a
module input port
output: array_ptr double pointer to array of min:typ:max values

related Use acc_configure( accMinTypeMaxDelays, "true") for min:typ:max delays for each transition
routines
The access routine acc_fetch_delays works differently depending on how the

to "false", acc_fetch_delays assumes a single delay per transition and passes
each delay as an individual argument. For this single delay mode, the first syntax table
in this section applies.
When accMinTypMaxDelays is set to "true", acc_fetch_delays passes
one or more sets of min:typ:max delays in an array, rather than passing single delays as
individual arguments. For this min:typ:max delay mode, the second syntax table in this
section applies.

The routine acc_fetch_delays fetches different delay values for different
acc_fetch_delays is set for single delay mode ( accMinTypMaxDelays is
2-78 Version 1.0

For: acc_fetch_delays returns:

primitives with a Z state: three delays:
bufif gates rise delay, rise_delay_addr
notif gates fall delay, fall_delay_addr
MOS switches turn-off delay, z_delay_addr
primitives with no Z state: two delays:

rise delay, rise_delay_addr
fall delay, fall_delay_addr
(if a third argument is supplied, it is ig-
nored)

accPathDelayCount

module input or inout ports three delays:

(MIPDs) rise delay, rise_delay_addr
fall delay, fall_delay_addr
turn-off delay, z_delay_addr
Table 2-37: How acc_fetch_delays reads delays in single delay mode
In single delay mode, you must supply the correct number of delay arguments to
acc_fetch_delays, as follows:
• MIPDs and Z-state primitives require three delay arguments—
rise_delay_addr, fall_delay_addr and Z_delay_addr.
• Primitives with no Z state require two delay arguments— rise_delay_addr
and fall_delay_addr.
For more information on the configuration parameter accPathDelayCount, refer
to Table 2-39 and Table 2-40.
Table 2-38 shows how acc_fetch_delays reads delays in min:typ:max delay
mode.
Version 1.0 2-79

For: acc_fetch_delays: The delay array must retrieve:

module input reads three sets of min:typ:max delays: nine values:
inter-module array[4] = typical fall delay
paths array[5] = maximum fall delay

not used)
module paths reads one, two, three or six sets of three, six, nine or18 values:
accPathDelayCount
(see Table 2-40)
timing checks reads one set of min:typ:max delays: three values:

limit
limit
limit
Table 2-38: How acc_fetch_delays reads delays in min:typ:max delay mode
There are a couple of points to note in Table 2-38:

• For module input ports, primitives and inter-module paths, always declare an
array of size 9, even if the objects do not have a Z state.
detail.
2-80 Version 1.0

Fetching delays for module paths (single delay mode)

In most cases, you will want to fetch the number of delays that appears in your Verilog-
HDL source description for a particular module path. In single delay mode, you can
control the number of delays returned for module paths by using the access routine
acc_configure to set the delay count parameter accPathDelayCount shown
in Table 2-39.
When
accPathDelayCount
is: acc_fetch_delays returns:
1 one delay value,
delay_addr1
2 two delay values:

delay_addr1
delay_addr2

delay_addr1
delay_addr2
delay_addr3
(last three delay arguments may be dropped)
6 all six delay values, a different delay for each

(the default) possible transition among 0, 1 and z:
one for 01 transitions: delay_addr1
one for 10 transitions: delay_addr2
one for 0z transitions: delay_addr3
one for z1 transitions: delay_addr4
one for 1z transitions: delay_addr5
one for z0 transitions: delay_addr6
The minimum number of delay arguments to pass to acc_fetch_delays must

acc_fetch_delays retrieves rise and fall delays for module paths:
must pass all six delay arguments when you call acc_fetch_delays in single
delay mode.
Version 1.0 2-81

When accPathDelayCount is less than 6, acc_fetch_delays returns delays

in the following order:
1. delay for 01 transitions
2. delay for 10 transitions
3. delay for 0z transitions
Fetching delays for module paths (min:typ:max mode)

The following rules apply when you retrieve min:typ:max delays for module paths:
accPathDelayCount
accPathDelayCount
module paths.
2-82 Version 1.0


is: is:


"6" six: 18 values:

Version 1.0 2-83

Fetching delays for inter-module paths

An inter-module path is a wire path that connects an output or inout port of one module
to an input or inout port of another module. You can use the access routines
acc_fetch_delays and acc_replace_delays to fetch and replace delays for
inter-module paths.
For inter-module paths, you must fetch or replace delays in min:typ:max delay mode. Therefore,
set accMinTypMax to "true" before calling acc_fetch_delays or
acc_replace_delays for inter-module paths.
Fetching module input port delays (MIPDs)

Use acc_fetch_delays to fetch Module Input Port Delays (MIPDs). An MIPD is
a delay associated with a module input port or inout port. The MIPD describes the delay
between the module port and each of the loads in its fanout. In an MIPD you can specify
rise, fall, and high impedance propagation delays.
You can fetch an MIPD for each individual bit of a vector port using
acc_fetch_delays in conjunction with acc_next_bit. For more information,
see Section 2.15.49.

The routine acc_fetch_delays retrieves delay values in the timescale of the
module that contains object_handle.

The following example presents a C-language routine, display_path_delays,
that uses acc_fetch_delays to retrieve the rise, fall and turn-off delays of all
paths through a module.
2-84 Version 1.0

display_path_delays()
{
handle mod_handle;
handle path_handle;
double rise_delay,fall_delay,toz_delay;

acc_initialize();

/*set accPathDelayCount to return rise, fall and turn-off delays */

/*get handle to module*/

mod_handle = acc_handle_tfarg(1);
/*fetch rise delays for all paths in module "top.m1"*/

path_handle = null;
while( path_handle = acc_next_modpath(mod_handle, path_handle) )
{
acc_fetch_delays(path_handle,
&rise_delay,&fall_delay,&toz_delay);
/*display rise, fall and turn-off delays for each path*/

io_printf("For module path %s,delays are:\n",
acc_fetch_fullname(path_handle) );
io_printf("rise = %lf, fall = %lf, turn-off = %lf\n",
rise_delay,fall_delay,toz_delay);
}
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-24: Displaying the rise, fall and turn-off delays of all paths through a module
Version 1.0 2-85

Usage example: min:typ:max delay mode

To fetch min:typ:max delays for an inter-module path, follow these steps in your C
routine:
1. Declare an array of nine double-precision floating-point values as a buffer for
storing three sets of min:typ:max values: one set each for rise, fall and turn-off
delays
2. Set the configuration parameter accMinTypMaxDelays to "true" to
instruct acc_fetch_delays to retrieve delays in min:typ:max format.
3. Call acc_fetch_delays with a valid inter-module path handle and the array
pointer.
The following C-language code fragment of an application shows how to fetch
min:typ:max delays for the inter-module path referenced by intermod_path.
Assume the Verilog-HDL source description contains only one delay per transition.
fetch_mintypmax_delays( port_output, port_input )
handle port_output, port_input;
{
•
•
•
handle intermod_path;
double delay_array[9]; acc_handle_path
• returns a handle to a wire
path that represents the
• connection from an output
• (or inout) port to an input
acc_configure( accMinTypMaxDelays, "true" ); (or inout) port
•
•
•
intermod_path = acc_handle_path( port_output, port_input);
acc_fetch_delays( intermod_path, delay_array );
•
• acc_fetch_delays places the
• following values in delay_array:
} delay_array[0] =
delay_array[1] = rise
delay
delay_array[2] =
delay_array[3] =
fall
delay_array[4] = delay
delay_array[5] =
delay_array[6] =
delay_array[7] = turn-off
delay
delay_array[8] =
Figure 2-25: Fetching min:type:max delays for an inter-module path
2-86 Version 1.0

If for this example the Verilog-HDL description specified min:typ:max delays on

intermod_path for rise, fall and to-Z transitions, then acc_fetch_delays
would place the following values in delay_array:
delay_array[0] = minimum rise delay
delay_array[1] = typical rise delay
delay_array[2] = maximum rise delay
delay_array[3] = minimum fall delay
delay_array[4] = typical fall delay
delay_array[5] = maximum fall delay
delay_array[6] = minimum turn-off delay
delay_array[7] = typical turn-off delay
delay_array[8] = maximum turn-off delay
For another example of using acc_fetch_delays to retrieve min:typ:max delays, see
Usage example: scaling min:typ:max delays on page 2-239.
Version 1.0 2-87

2.15.10
acc_fetch_direction
acc_fetch_direction
returns the direction of a port or terminal as one of three predefined integer constants:
accInput
function accOutput
accInout
syntax integer_variable = acc_fetch_direction( object_handle);
input: object_handle handle handle of a port or terminal
When direction is: acc_fetch_direction returns:

input only accInput
output only accOutput
input and output accInout
Table 2-41: How acc_fetch_direction works
2-88 Version 1.0

Usage example
The following example presents a C-language routine, is_port_input, that uses
acc_fetch_direction to determine whether or not a port is an input.
bool is_port_input(port_handle)
handle port_handle;
{
int direction;
direction = acc_fetch_direction(port_handle);
/*return "true" if an input port*/

if (direction == accInput || direction == accInout)
return(true);
else
return(false);
}
Figure 2-26: Determining if a port is an input
Version 1.0 2-89

2.15.11
acc_fetch_edge
acc_fetch_edge
returns the edge specifier (type) of a path input or output terminal as one of these predefined integer
constants:
accNoedge accEdge01 accEdgex1
function
accPosedge accEdge10 accEdge1x
accNegedge accEdge0x accEdgex0
syntax integer_variable = acc_fetch_edge ( pathio_handle);
input: pathio_handle handle handle to a module path input or

output
Description
The returned value is a masked integer representing the edge specifier for pathio
upon success, or 0 ( accNoedge) upon error or no edge specifier being given.
Table 2-42 lists the predefined edge specifiers in acc_user.h.
Edge type Defined constant Binary value

None accNoedge 0
Positive edge (0→1,0→x,x→1) accPosedge 00001011
Negative edge (1→0,1→x,x→0) accNegedge 01100010
0→1 edge accEdge01 00000001
1→0 edge accEdge10 00000010
0→x edge accEdge0x 00000100
x→1 edge accEdgex1 00001000
1→x edge accEdge1x 00010000
x→0 edge accEdgex0 00100000
Table 2-42: Edge specifiers defined in acc_user.h
The integer mask returned by this routine usually equals either accPosedge or
accNegedge. Occasionally, however, the mask is a hybrid mix of specifiers that is
equal to neither. The example below illustrates how to check for these hybrid edge
specifiers. The value accNoEdge is returned if no edge is found.
2-90 Version 1.0

Example
The following example takes a path input or output and returns the string corresponding
to its edge specifier. It provides analogous functionality to that of
acc_fetch_type_str in that it returns a string corresponding to an integer value
that represents a type.
This example first checks to see whether the returned mask is equal to accPosedge
or accNegedge, which are the most likely cases. If it does not, the routine does a
bitwise AND with the returned mask and each of the other edge specifiers to find out
which types of edges it contains. If an edge type is encoded in the returned mask, the
corresponding edge type string suffix is appended to the string “accEdge”.
Version 1.0 2-91

char *acc_fetch_edge_str(pathio)
handle pathio;
{
int edge = acc_fetch_edge(pathio);
static char edge_str[32];
if (! acc_error_flag)
{
if (edge == accNoEdge)
strcpy(edge_str, “accNoEdge”);
/* accPosedge == (accEdge01 & accEdge0x & accEdgex1) */

else if (edge == accPosEdge)
strcpy(edge_str, “accPosEdge”);
/* accNegedge == (accEdge10 & accEdge 1x & accEdgex0) */

else if (edge == accNegEdge)
strcpy(edge_str, “accNegEdge”);
/* edge is neither posedge nor negedge, but some combination

of other edges */
else {
strcpy(edge_str, “accEdge”);
if (edge & accEdge01) strcat(edge_str, “_01”);
if (edge & accEdge10) strcat(edge_str, “_10”);
if (edge & accEdge0x) strcat(edge_str, “_0x”);
if (edge & accEdgex1) strcat(edge_str, “_x1”);
if (edge & accEdge1x) strcat(edge_str, “_1x”);
if (edge & accEdgex0) strcat(edge_str, “_x0”);
}
return(edge_str);
}
else
return(NULL);
}
Figure 2-27: Using acc_fetch_edge to get the string that corresponds to an edge specifier
2-92 Version 1.0

2.15.12
acc_fetch_fullname
acc_fetch_fullname
function returns a pointer to the full hierarchical name of any named object or module path
syntax character_pointer = acc_fetch_fullname( object_handle);
input: object_handle handle handle of the object
related Use acc_fetch_name to find the lowest-level name of the object

routines Use acc_configure(accPathDelimStr...) to set the delimiter string for module path names
What is the full hierarchical name?

The full hierarchical name is the name that uniquely identifies an object. Consider this
example: the top-level module top1 contains a module instance mod3 which, in turn,
contains a net w4, as shown in Figure 2-28.
top1
mod3
w4
Figure 2-28: A design hierarchy
The full hierarchical name of the net is top1.mod3.w4.
Module path names

Module path names are derived from their sources and destinations in the following
format:

source and destination only.
Version 1.0 2-93

By default, the path_delimiter is the character $. However, you can override this
default by using the access routine acc_configure to set the delimiter parameter
accPathDelimStr to another character string.
The following examples show names of paths within a top-level module m3, as returned
by acc_fetch_fullname when the path_delimiter is $:
For module m3 path: acc_fetch_fullname returns pointer to:

(a => q) = 10; m3.a$q
(b *> q1,q2) = 8; m3.b$q1
(d,e,f * > r,s)= 8; m3.d$r
Table 2-43: Module path names returned by acc_fetch_fullname
Default names
If a Verilog simulator creates default names for unnamed instances,
acc_fetch_fullname returns the full hierarchical default name. Otherwise, the
routine returns null for unnamed instances.
Usage example
In the example in Figure 2-29, the routine display_if_net uses
acc_fetch_fullname to display the full hierarchical name of an object if the
object is a net.
display_if_net(object_handle)
handle object_handle;
{
/*get and display full name if object is a net*/
if (acc_fetch_type(object_handle) == accNet)
io_printf( "Object is a net: %s\n",
acc_fetch_fullname(object_handle) );
else
io_printf( "Object is not a net: %s\n",
acc_fetch_fullname(object_handle) );
}
Figure 2-29: Displaying the full hierarchical name of a net
2-94 Version 1.0

2.15.13
acc_fetch_fulltype
acc_fetch_fulltype
returns the fulltype of an object as one of these predefined integer constants:
accAlwaysStat accIfStat accPmosGate accTask

accAndGate accInitialStat accPort accTaskCall
accAssignDelayStat accInoutTerminal accPortBit accStringParam
accAssignEventStat accInputTerminal accPrimPath accTimeVar
accAssignmentStat accIntegerParam accPulldownGate accTerminal
accAssignStat accIntegerVar accPullupGate accTopModule
accAtEventStat accInterModPath accRcmosGate accTranGate
accBitSelectPort accModPath accRealParam accTranif0Gate
accBufGate accModule accRealVar accTranif1Gate
accBufif0Gate accModuleInstance accRecovery accTri
accBufif1Gate accNamedBeginStat accRegister accTri0
accCaseStat accNamedForkStat accReleaseStat accTri1
accCaseXStat accNamedEvent accRepeatStat accTriand
accCaseZStat accNandGate accRnmosGate accTrior
accCellModule accNet accRpmosGate accTrireg
accCmosGate accNmosGate accRtlDelayStat accUserFunction
accCombPrim accNochange accRtlEventStat accUserRealFunction
accConcatPort accNorGate accRtranGate accUserTask
function accContAssignStat accNotGate accRtranif0Gate accUnnamedBeginStat
accDataPath accNotif0Gate accRtranif1Gate accUnnamedForkStat
accDeassignStat accNotif1Gate accScalarPort accVectorPort
accDelayStat accNullStat accSeqPrim accWand
accDisableStat accOrGate accSetup accWaitStat
accForceStat accOutputTerminal accSkew accWhileStat
accForStat accPartSelectPort accSupply0 accWidth
accFunction accPath accSupply1 accWire
accFunctionCall accPathInput accSystemFunction accWor
accGenEventStat accPathOutput accSystemRealFunction accXnorGate
accHold accPeriod accSystemTask accXorGate
syntax integer_variable = acc_fetch_fulltype( object_handle);
related acc_fetch_type
routines acc_fetch_type_str
The difference between type and fulltype

The type of an object is its general Verilog-HDL data type classification. Table 2-60 in
Section 2.15.23 lists these data types, along with the predefined integer constants that
represent them.
Version 1.0 2-95

The fulltype of an object is a finer classification of a particular Verilog-HDL data type.

Currently, fulltypes are defined for the following objects:
• primitives
• terminals
• ports
• bits of vector or concatenated ports
• parameters and specparams
• nets
• modules
• module paths and module path terminals
• timing checks and timing check terminals
• registers
• named events
• integer, real, and time variables
• data paths
• statements
Table 2-44 through Table 2-53 list the fulltypes for each of these objects.
The access routine acc_fetch_type returns the type of an object, while
acc_fetch_fulltype returns the fulltype of an object. Table 2-54 illustrates the
difference between acc_fetch_fulltype and acc_fetch_type for selected
objects.
2-96 Version 1.0

Primitive fulltype Predefined integer constant
gates with one or more inputs, one accAndGate

output accNandGate
accNorGate
accOrGate
accXnorGate
accXorGate
gates with one input, one or more out- accBufGate

puts accNotGate
gates that model tri-state drivers accBufif0

accBufif1
accNotif0
accNotif1
MOS gates accNmosGate

accPmosGate
accRnmosGate
accRpmosGate
CMOS gates accCmosGate

accRcmosGate
bidirectional pass gates accRtranGate

accRtranif0Gate
accRtranif1Gate
accTranGate
accTranif0Gate
accTranif1Gate
pulldown, pullup gates accPulldownGate

accPullUpGate
combinational user-defined primitive accCombPrim
sequential user-defined primitive accSeqPrim
Table 2-44: The fulltypes of primitives
Version 1.0 2-97

Terminal Fulltype Predefined Integer Constant
input terminal accInputTerminal
output terminal accOutputTerminal
inout terminal accInoutTerminal
Table 2-45: The fulltypes of terminals
Port or Port Bit Fulltype Predefined Integer Constant
scalar port accScalarPort
vector port bit select accBitSelectPort
vector port part select accPartSelectPort
vector port accVectorPort
concatenated port accConcatPort
a bit on a port accPortBit
Table 2-46: The fulltypes of ports and bits of a vector port
Parameter Fulltype Predefined Integer Constant
character string parameter accStringParam
integer parameter accIntegerParam
real number parameter accRealParam
Table 2-47: The fulltypes of parameters and specparams
2-98 Version 1.0

Net fulltype Predefined integer constant
net of type wire accWire
net of type tri accTri
wired-AND nets accWand

accTriand
wired-OR nets accWor

accTrior
pulldown, pullup nets accTri0

accTri1
nets that model power supplies accSupply0

accSupply1
net that stores a value accTrireg
Table 2-48: The fulltyppes of nets
Module Fulltype Predefined Integer Constant
top-level module accTopModule
module instance that is a cell accCellModule
module instance that is not a cell accModuleInstance
Table 2-49: The fulltypes of modules
Fulltype Predefined Integer Constant
data path accDataPath
input terminal path accPathInput
inter-module path accInterModPath
module path accModPath
output module path accPathOutput
path between primitives accPrimPath
Verilog-HDL function definition accFunction
Verilog-HDL task definition accTask
Table 2-50: The fulltypes of paths, and task and function definitions
Version 1.0 2-99

Timing check fulltype Predefined integer constant
HOLD check accHold
NOCHANGE check accNochange
PERIOD check accPeriod
RECOVERY check accRecovery
SETUP check accSetup
SKEW check accSkew
WIDTH check accWidth
Table 2-51: The fulltypes of timing checks
New fulltype Predefined integer constant
register accRegister
named event accNamedEvent
integer variable accIntegerVar
real variable accRealVar
time variable accTimeVar
Table 2-52: The fulltypes of registers, named events and variables
2-100 Version 1.0

Verilog-HDL statement fulltype Predefined integer constant

assignment statements accAssignDelayStat
accAssignEventStat
accAssignmentStat
accAssignStat
accConAssignStat
accDeassignStat
accDelayStat
accForceStat
accReleaseStat
accRt1DelayStat
call statements accFunctionCall

accSystemTask
accSystemRealFunction
accSystemFunction
accTaskCall
accUserFunction
accUserRealFunction
accUserTask
control statements accCaseStat

accCaseXStat
accCaseZStat
accIfStat
disable statement accDisableStat
event statements accAssignEventStat

accAtEventStat
accGenEventStat
accRt1EvenStat
accWaitStat
loop statements accForStat

accRepeatStat
accWhileStat
null statement accNullStat
parallel block statements accNamedForkStat

accUnnamedForkStat
procedure block statements accAlwaysStat
accInitialStat
sequential block statements accNamedBeginStat
accUnnamedBeginStat
Table 2-53: The fulltypes of Verilog-HDL statements
Version 1.0 2-101

For: acc_fetch_fulltype returns: acc_fetch_type returns:

a setup timing accSetup accTchk
check
an AND gate accAndGate accPrimitive
a sequential accSeqPrim accPrimitive

primitive
Table 2-54: The difference between acc_fetch_fulltype and acc_fetch_type
Usage example
The following two C-language routines in Figure 2-30 and Figure 2-31,
display_timing_check_type and display_primitive_type, use
acc_fetch_fulltype to find and display the fulltypes of timing checks and
primitive objects passed as input arguments. These routines are called by a higher-level
routine, display_object_type, presented as the usage example for
acc_fetch_type.
2-102 Version 1.0

display_timing_check_type(tchk_handle)
handle tchk_handle;
{
/*display timing check type*/
io_printf("Timing check is");
switch( acc_fetch_fulltype( tchk_handle ) )
{
case accHold:
io_printf(" hold\n");
break;
case accNochange:
io_printf(" nochange\n");
break;
case accPeriod:
io_printf(" period\n");
break;
case accRecovery:
io_printf(" recovery\n");
break;
case accSetup:
io_printf(" setup\n");
break;
case accSkew:
io_printf(" skew\n");
break;
case accWidth:
io_printf(" width\n");
}
}
Figure 2-30: Displaying the fulltypes of timing checks
Version 1.0 2-103

display_primitive_type(primitive_handle)
{
/*display primitive type*/
io_printf("Primitive is");
switch( acc_fetch_fulltype( primitive_handle ) )
{
case accAndGate:
io_printf(" and gate\n"); break;
case accBufGate:
io_printf(" buf gate\n"); break;
case accBufif0Gate:case accBufif1Gate:
io_printf(" bufif gate\n"); break;
case accCmosGate:case accNmosGate:case accPmosGate:
case accRcmosGate:case accRnmosGate:case accRpmosGate:
io_printf(" MOS or Cmos gate\n"); break;
case accCombPrim:
io_printf(" combinational UDP\n"); break;
case accSeqPrim:
io_printf(" sequential UDP\n"); break;
case accNotif0Gate:case accNotif1Gate:
io_printf(" notif gate\n"); break;
case accRtranGate:
io_printf(" rtran gate\n"); break;
case accRtranif0Gate:case accRtranif1Gate:
io_printf(" rtranif gate\n"); break;
case accNandGate:
io_printf(" nand gate\n"); break;
case accNorGate:
io_printf(" nor gate\n"); break;
case accNotGate:
io_printf(" not gate\n"); break;
case accOrGate:
io_printf(" or gate\n"); break;
case accPulldownGate:
io_printf(" pulldown gate\n"); break;
case accPullupGate:
io_printf(" pullup gate\n"); break;
case accXnorGate:
io_printf(" xnor gate\n"); break;
case accXorGate:
io_printf(" xor gate\n");
}
}
Figure 2-31: Displaying the fulltypes of primitives
2-104 Version 1.0

2.15.14
acc_fetch_index
acc_fetch_index
function returns a zero-based integer index for a port or terminal
syntax integer_variable = acc_fetch_index( object_handle);
input: object_handle handle handle of the port or terminal
What is an index?
The index of a port is its position in a module definition in your source description; the
index of a terminal is its position in a gate, switch, or UDP instance. Indexes are
integers that start at zero and increase from left to right. The following table shows how
indexes are derived:
For: Indexes are:

implicit ports: 0 for port q
module A( q,a,b); 1 for port a
2 for port b
terminals: 0 for terminal out
nand g1(out,in1,in2); 1 for terminal in1
2 for terminal in2
explicit ports: 0 for explicit port epm1.q
module top; 1 for explicit port epm1.a
reg ra,rb; port instance
2 for explicit port epm1.b
wire wq;
explicit_port_mod epm1( .b(rb),.a(ra),.q(wq) );
endmodule
module m1;
explicit_port_mod( q,a,b ); port definition
input a,b;
output q;
nand( q,a,b );
endmodule
Table 2-55: Deriving indexes
Version 1.0 2-105

Usage example
The following example presents a C-language routine, display_inputs, that uses
acc_fetch_index to find and display the input ports of a module.
display_inputs(module_handle)
{
handle port_handle;
int direction;
/*get handle for the module and each of its ports*/

port_handle = null;
while ( port_handle = acc_next_port( module_handle, port_handle) )
{
/*determine if port is an input*/
direction = acc_fetch_direction( port_handle );
/*give the index of each input port*/
if ( direction == accInput )
io_printf( "Port #%d of %s is an input\n",
acc_fetch_index( port_handle ),
acc_fetch_fullname( module_handle) );
}
}
Figure 2-32: Displaying the input ports of a module
2-106 Version 1.0

2.15.15
acc_fetch_location
acc_fetch_location
function returns the location of an object in a Verilog-HDL source file
syntax acc_fetch_location ( loc_p, object_handle);

loc_p p_location pointer to location data structure
input:
object_handle handle handle to object
Description
This function returns the file name and line number in the file for the specified object.
The file name and line number are returned in an s_location data structure. This
data structure is defined in Figure 2-33.
typedef struct t_location

{
int line_no; /* line number in the file */
char *filename; /* file name */
} s_location, *p_location;
Figure 2-33: t_location data structure
The filename field is a character pointer. The line_no field is a nonzero positive
number.
Version 1.0 2-107

Example
The following example prints the file name and line number for an object.
void find_object_location (object)

handle object;
{
s_location s_loc;
p_location loc_p = &s_loc;
acc_fetch_location(loc_p, object); /* To get the filename
and line_no */
if (! acc_error_flag) /* On success */
io_printf (“Object located in file %s on line %d \n,
loc_p->filename, loc_p->line_no);
}
Figure 2-34: Using acc_fetch_location to find the file name and line number for an object
2-108 Version 1.0

2.15.16
acc_fetch_name
acc_fetch_name
function returns a pointer to the instance name of any named object or module path
syntax character_pointer = acc_fetch_name( object_handle);
input: object_handle handle handle of the named object
related Use acc_configure( accPathDelimStr...) to set the naming convention for module paths
routines
What is the name of an object?

The name of an object is its lowest-level name. Consider this example: the top-level
module top1 contains a module instance mod3 which, in turn, contains a net w4, as
shown in Figure 2-35.
top1
mod3
w4
Figure 2-35: A design hierarchy
The name of the net is w4.
Module path names

Module paths are identified in terms of their sources and destinations in the following
format:

source or destination only.
Version 1.0 2-109

By default, the path_delimiter is the character $. However, you can override this
default by using the access routine acc_configure to set the delimiter parameter
accPathDelimStr to some other character string.
Here are some examples of module path names returned by acc_fetch_name when
the path_delimiter is $:
For module path: acc_fetch_name returns pointer to:

(a => q) = 10; a$q
(a * > q1,q2) = 8; a$q1
(d,e,f * > q,r)= 8; d$q
Table 2-56: Module path names returned by acc_fetch_name
Default names
If the Verilog simulator default names for unnamed instances, acc_fetch_name
returns the default name. Otherwise, the routine returns null for unnamed instances.
2-110 Version 1.0

Usage example
The following example presents a C-language routine, show_top_modules, that
uses acc_fetch_name to display the names of all top-level modules.
show_top_modules()
{

acc_initialize();

/*scan all top-level modules*/

io_printf("The top-level modules are:\n");
module_handle = null;
while ( module_handle = acc_next_topmod( module_handle ) )
io_printf(" %s\n",acc_fetch_name(module_handle));
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-36: Displaying the names of all top-level modules
Version 1.0 2-111

2.15.17
acc_fetch_paramtype
acc_fetch_paramtype
returns the data type of a parameter as one of three predefined integer constants:
accIntegerParam
function accRealParam
accStringParam
syntax integer_variable = acc_fetch_paramtype( parameter_handle);
input: parameter_handle handle handle of a parameter
related Use acc_fetch_paramval to retrieve the value of a parameter

routines Use acc_next_parameter to scan all parameters within a module
Use acc_next_specparam to scan all specparams within a module
When type is: acc_fetch_paramtype returns:

integer accIntegerParam
floating point accRealParam
string accStringParam
Table 2-57: How acc_fetch_paramtype works
2-112 Version 1.0

Usage example
print_parameter_values, that uses acc_fetch_paramtype to display the
values of all parameters within a module.
print_parameter_values()
{
handle param_handle;
acc_initialize();
/*scan all parameters in the module and display their values*/
/* according to type*/
param_handle = null;
while( param_handle = acc_next_parameter( module_handle,param_handle))
{
io_printf( "Parameter %s has value: ",
acc_fetch_fullname( param_handle ));
switch( acc_fetch_paramtype( param_handle ) )
{
case accRealParam:
io_printf( "%lf\n", acc_fetch_paramval( param_handle) );
break;
case accIntegerParam:
io_printf( "%d\n", (int)acc_fetch_paramval( param_handle) );
break;
case accStringParam:
io_printf("%s\n",(char*)(int)acc_fetch_paramval(param_handle) );
break;
}
}
acc_close(); two-step cast
}
Figure 2-37: Displaying the values of all parameters within a module
Please note: Most C-language compilers do not allow you to cast a double-
precision value directly to a character pointer. For string parameters in this example,
it is therefore necessary to use a two-step cast, (char*)(int), to first convert the double
value to an integer and then convert the integer to a character pointer.
Version 1.0 2-113

2.15.18
acc_fetch_paramval
acc_fetch_paramval
function returns the value of a parameter or specparam
syntax double_variable = acc_fetch_paramval( parameter_handle);
input: parameter_handle handle handle of a parameter
Use acc_fetch_paramtype to retrieve the data type of a parameter

related Use acc_next_parameter to scan all parameters within a module
routines Use acc_next_specparam to scan all specparams within a module
Three types of parameter values

A parameter value can be stored as one of three data types:
1. double, a double-precision floating point number
2. int, an integer value
3. char, a string
It is therefore often necessary to check the type of the parameter—using
acc_fetch_paramtype—to determine the format for displaying its value, as
shown in the example in Figure 2-38.
Casting return values

The routine acc_fetch_paramval returns values as double precision floating
point numbers. However, you can convert these values to integers or character
pointers using the C-language cast mechanism, as shown in the following table:
2-114 Version 1.0

To convert to: Follow these steps:

integer 1. declare an integer variable int_val
2. cast the return value to the integer data type, using the
C-language cast operator (int)
3. assign the return integer to the variable:
int_val=(int)acc_fetch_paramval(..);
1. declare a character pointer variable ptr

string 2. cast the return value to a character pointer, using the
C-language cast operators (char*)(int)
3. assign the return pointer to the variable:
ptr=(char*)(int)acc_fetch_paramval(..);
Table 2-58: Casting acc_fetch_paramval return values
Version 1.0 2-115

Usage example
print_parameter_values, that uses acc_fetch_paramval to display all
parameter values for a module.
print_parameter_values()
{
acc_initialize();
{
io_printf( "Parameter %s has value: ",
acc_fetch_fullname( param_handle ));
{
case accRealParam:
break;
break;
break;
}
}
acc_close(); two-step cast
}
Figure 2-38: Displaying all parameter values for a module
Please note: Most C-language compilers do not allow you to cast a double-
precision value directly to a character pointer. For string parameters in this example,
it is therefore necessary to use a two-step cast, (char*)(int), to first convert the double
value to an integer and then convert the integer to a character pointer.
2-116 Version 1.0

2.15.19
acc_fetch_polarity
acc_fetch_polarity
function returns the polarity of the specified path
syntax integer_variable = acc_fetch_polarity( path_handle);
input: path_handle handle handle to a module path or data

path
Description
This routine returns the polarity of the specified path. The polarity of a path determines
how a signal transition at its source propagates to its destination in the absence of logic
simulation events. The return value is one of the predefined integer constant polarity
types listed in Table 2-59.
Predefined Integer Constant Description
accPositive A rise at the source causes a rise at the destination.

A fall at the source causes a fall at the destination.
accNegative A rise at the source causes a fall at the destination.

A fall at the source causes a rise at the destination.
accUnknown Unpredictable. A rise or fall at the source causes either

a rise or fall at the destination.
Table 2-59: Polarity types
Version 1.0 2-117

Example
The following example takes a path argument and returns the string corresponding to
its polarity.
char *fetch_polarity_str(path)
{
switch (acc_fetch_polarity(path)) {
case accPositive: return(“accPositive”);
case accNegative: return(“accNegative”);
case accUnknown: return(“accUnkinown”);
default: return(NULL);
}
}
Figure 2-39: Using acc_fetch_polarity to get the polarity of a path
2-118 Version 1.0

2.15.20
acc_fetch_range
acc_fetch_range
retrieves the most significant bit and least significant bit range values for a vector;
function
returns zero if successful and nozero upon error
syntax integer_variable = acc_fetch_range( vector_handle, msb, lsb);

vector_handle handle handle to a vector net or register
input:
msb integer pointer pointer to an integer variable to hold the
most significant bit of vector_handle
lsb integer pointer pointer to an integer variable to hold the

least significant bit of vector_handle
Description
The ‘lsb’ will be the right range element, while the ‘msb’ will be the left range element.
Example
This system task takes as its only input a handle to a module instance. It displays the
name and range of each vector net found in the module as: <name>[<msb>:<lsb>].
display_vector_nets()
{
handle mod = acc_handle_tfarg(1);
handle net;
integer msb, lsb;
io_printf (“Vector nets in module %s:\n:,

acc_fetch_fullname (mod));
net = null;
while (net = acc_next_net(mod, net))
if (acc_object_of_type(net, accVector))
{
acc_fetch_range(net, &msb, &lsb);
io_printf(“ %s[%d:%d]\n”,
acc_fetch_name(net), msb, lsb);
}
Figure 2-40: Displaying the name and range for each vector net found in a scope
Version 1.0 2-119

2.15.21
acc_fetch_size
acc_fetch_size
function returns the bit size of a net, register, or port
syntax size_in_bits = acc_fetch_size(object_handle);
name type description
return value size_in_bits integer number of bits in the net, register, or port
input object_handle handle handle of a net, register, or port
The access routine acc_fetch_size returns the number of bits of a net, register,
or port .
2-120 Version 1.0

Usage example
In the following example, the routine display_vector_size uses
acc_fetch_size to determine the size of a vector net. The routine then displays
the name of the vector net and its size in bits.
void display_vector_size()
{
handle net_handle;
int size_in_bits;
/*reset environment for access routines*/

acc_initialize();
acc_configure( accDevelopmentVersion, "1.6" );
/*get first argument passed to user-defined system task*/

/* associated with this routine*/
net_handle = acc_handle_tfarg(1);
/*if net is a vector, find and display its size in bits*/

if( acc_object_of_type( net_handle, accVector ) )
{
size_in_bits = acc_fetch_size( net_handle );
io_printf("Net %s is a vector of size %d\n",
acc_fetch_fullname( net_handle ),size_in_bits );
}
else
io_printf( "Net %s is not a vector net\n",
acc_fetch_fullname( net_handle ) );
}
Figure 2-41: Determining the size of a vector net
Version 1.0 2-121

2.15.22
acc_fetch_tfarg
acc_fetch_tfarg
returns value of the specified argument of the system task or function associated (through the PLI
function mechanism) with your C-language routine
syntax double_variable = acc_fetch_tfarg(argument_number);
input: argument_number integer value that references an object—passed as a

variable in the system task or function call—by
its position in the argument list
The access routine acc_fetch_tfarg returns the value of arguments passed to

user-defined system tasks and functions.
How arguments are numbered

Argument numbers start at 1 and increase from left to right in the order that they appear
in the system task or function call.
2-122 Version 1.0

Casting values
Values are returned as double-precision floating-point numbers, but they can be cast to
integers and character pointers as well. The following example shows how to use
acc_fetch_tfarg and cast its return values appropriately.
display_arg_value()
{
int arg_type;

acc_initialize();

acc_configure( accDevelopmentVersion, "1.5b.3" );
/*check type of argument*/

io_printf( "Argument value is " );
switch( tf_typep( 1 ) )
{
case tf_readonlyreal:case tf_readwritereal: returns value
io_printf("%1f\n", acc_fetch_tfarg(1) ); as double-precision
floating-point
break; number
case tf_readonly:case tf_readwrite:
io_printf("%d\n", (int)acc_fetch_tfarg(1) );
break;
casts value
case tf_string: to integer
io_printf("%s\n", (char*)(int)acc_fetch_tfarg(1) );
break;
default: casts value to
a character pointer
io_printf("Error in argument specification\n");
break;
}
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-42: Using acc_fetch_tfarg to return the value of arguments
Version 1.0 2-123

2.15.23
acc_fetch_type
acc_fetch_type
function returns the type of an object as one of these predefined integer constants:
accDataPath accPrimPath
accFunction accRealVar
accIntegerVar accRegister
accModule accSpecparam
accNamedEvent accStatement
accNet accTask
accParameter accTchk
accPath accTerminal
accPathTerminal accTimeVar
accPort accWirePath
accPrimitive
syntax integer_variable = acc_fetch_type( object_handle);
related acc_fetch_type_str
routines acc_fetch_fulltype
The difference between type and fulltype

The type of an object is its general Verilog-HDL data type classification. Table 2-60
lists these data types, along with the predefined integer constants that represent them.
2-124 Version 1.0

The fulltype of an object is a finer classification of a particular Verilog-HDL data type.

Currently, specific fulltypes are defined for the following objects:
• primitives
• terminals
• ports
• bits of vector or concatenated ports
• parameters and specparams
• nets
• modules
• module paths and module path terminals
• timing checks and timing check terminals
• registers
• named events
• integer, real, and time variables
• data paths
• statements
The access routine acc_fetch_type returns the type of an object, while
acc_fetch_fulltype returns the fulltype of an object. Table 2-61 illustrates the
difference between acc_fetch_fulltype and acc_fetch_type for selected
objects.
Version 1.0 2-125

Verilog-HDL data type Predefined integer constant
data path accDataPath
module accModule
module path accPath
module path terminal accPathTerminal
net accNet
parameter accParameter
path between primitives accPrimPath
port accPort
primitive accPrimitive
specparam accSpecparam
terminal accTerminal
timing check accTchk
Verilog-HDL function definition accFunction
Verilog-HDL statement accStatement
Verilog-HDL task definition accTask
wire path accWirePath
Table 2-60: The types of Verilog-HDL objects
2-126 Version 1.0

For: acc_fetch_fulltype returns: acc_fetch_type returns:

a setup timing accSetup accTchk
check
an AND gate accAndGate accPrimitive
a sequential accSeqPrim accPrimitive

primitive
Table 2-61: The difference between acc_fetch_fulltype and acc_fetch_type
Usage example
The following example presents a C-language routine, display_object_type,
that uses acc_fetch_type to identify the type of an object.
Version 1.0 2-127

display_object_type()
{
handle object_handle;
acc_initialize();
object_handle = acc_handle_tfarg(1);
/*display object type*/
switch( acc_fetch_type( object_handle ) )
{
case accModule:
io_printf( "Object is a module\n" );
break;
case accNet:
io_printf( "Object is a net\n" );
break;
case accPath:
io_printf("Object is a module path\n" );
break;
case accPort:
io_printf("Object is a module port\n" );
break;
case accPrimitive:
display_primitive_type( object_handle );
break;
case accTchk:
display_timing_check_type( object_handle );
break;
case accTerminal:
io_printf("Object is a primitive terminal\n" );
break;
}
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-43: Identifying the type of an object
Other routines may be called to identify an object’s fulltype. Two example routines—
display_primitive_type and display_timing_check_type—use the
access routine acc_fetch_fulltype to provide more specific identification of a
primitive or timing check. These are presented in the section on acc_fetch_fulltype.
2-128 Version 1.0

2.15.24
acc_fetch_type_str
acc_fetch_type_str
function returns a pointer to a string that indicates the type of its argument
syntax character_string_pointer = acc_fetch_type_str(type);
input: type integer a predefined integer constant that stands for an

object type
related acc_fetch_type
acc_fetch_fulltype
routines
Purpose of the routine

This routine returns the character string that specifies the type of its argument. Use this
routine when you are debugging or need type information.
Usage example
In the following example, a handle to an argument is passed to a C routine. The routine
displays the name of the object and the object’s type.
void display_object_type(object)
handle object;
{
int type = acc_fetch_type(object);
io_printf("Object %s is of type %s \n",

acc_fetch_fullname(object),
acc_fetch_type_str(type));
}
Figure 2-44: Displaying an object type
In Figure 2-44, if you pass a handle to an object named top.param1, the routine
display_object_type produces the following output:
Version 1.0 2-129

Object top.param1 is of type accParameter

The access routine acc_fetch_type_str returns the character string that is
equivalent to the defined integer constant that represents the object in the
acc_user.h file. In this output, accParameter is the name of the integer
constant that represents the type parameter.
2-130 Version 1.0

2.15.25
acc_fetch_value
acc_fetch_value
function returns a pointer to a character string indicating the logic or strength value of a net, register or variable
syntax character_pointer = acc_fetch_value(object_handle, format_string);
inputs: object_handle handle handle of the net, register or variable
format_string character string pointer: one of the following specifiers for formatting
quoted string literal or the return value:
character pointer variable "%b"
"%d"
"%h"
"%o"
"%v"
"%x"
Size of objects
The access routine acc_fetch_value returns logic simulation values for scalar or
vector nets, registers and variables; it returns strength values for scalar nets and
registers only.
How the routine formats return value strings

The access routine acc_fetch_value returns logic or strength values as character
strings. You can format these value strings by passing a format specifier as the second
argument.
Consider this example: At a particular time during simulation, a vector contains the
value 92 (decimal). Table 2-62 shows how acc_fetch_value returns this value in
different formats.
Version 1.0 2-131

When specifier is: type is: acc_fetch_value returns:

"%b" binary "01011100"
"%d" decimal "92"
"%h" hexadecimal "5c"
"%o" octal "134"
"%v" strength null and sets acc_error_flag

(strength only valid for scalar
objects)
"%x" hexadecimal "5c"
Table 2-62: How acc_fetch_value uses format specifiers
Note that when specified for scalar objects, %v produces the standard Verilog-HDL
strength format. Refer to the Verilog-HDL Reference Manual for information about %v.
2-132 Version 1.0

Usage example
In the example in Figure 2-45, the routine display_net_values uses
acc_fetch_value to retrieve the logic values of all nets in a module.
display_net_values()
{
handle mod_handle, net_handle;

acc_initialize();


/*get all nets in the module and display their values*/

/* in binary format*/
net_handle = null;
while( net_handle = acc_next_net(mod_handle,net_handle) )
io_printf("Net value: %s\n",acc_fetch_value(net_handle,"%b"));
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-45: Retrieving the logic values of all nets in a module
Version 1.0 2-133

2.15.26
acc_free
acc_free
function frees memory allocated by acc_collect
syntax acc_free( handle_array_pointer);

pointer to the array of handles
input: handle_array_pointer handle pointer allocated by acc_collect—the area
in memory to free
related acc_collect
routines
The difference between acc_free and acc_close

The routine acc_free frees memory allocated by acc_collect to store an array
of handles; the routine acc_close frees memory that all access routines use for
internal storage.
2-134 Version 1.0

Usage example
The following example presents a C-language routine, display_nets, that uses
acc_free to deallocate memory used by the array returned by acc_collect.
display_nets()
{
handle *list_of_nets, module_handle;
int net_count, i;

acc_initialize();


/*collect all nets in the module*/

list_of_nets = acc_collect( acc_next_net, module_handle, &net_count);
/*display names of net instances*/

for( i=0; i < net_count; i++ )
io_printf( "Net name is: %s\n", acc_fetch_name( list_of_nets[i] ));
/*free memory used by array list_of_nets*/

acc_free( list_of_nets );
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-46: Using acc_collect to gather all nets in a module for display
Version 1.0 2-135

2.15.27
acc_handle_by_name
acc_handle_by_name
function returns the handle to an object based on its name and scope
syntax object_handle = acc_handle_by_name ( object_name, scope_handle);

object_name character string pointer; character pointer to object name
input: quoted string literal or
scope_handle handle handle to scope
Description
This routine returns the handle to a Verilog-HDL object based on the specified name
and scope.
This routine can be used in place of the combination of routines acc_set_scope
and acc_handle_object. While the functionality is the same as calling
acc_set_scope followed by a call to acc_handle_object, this routine makes
the code cleaner and easier to understand and maintain.
2-136 Version 1.0

Example
The following example shows how a C-language routine, is_net_in_module, uses
acc_handle_by_name to set the scope and get the handle to an object if the object is in
the module.
is_net_in_module(module_handle, net_name)
char *net_name;
{
handle net_handle;
handle load_handle, load_net_handle;
/*set scope to module and get handle for net */

net_handle = acc_handle_by_name(net_name, module_handle);
if (net_handle)
io_printf("Net %s found in module %s\n",
net_name,
acc_fetch_fullname(module_handle) );
else
io_printf("Net %s not found in module %s\n",
net_name,
}
Figure 2-47: Setting a scope and getting a handle
In this example:
net_handle = acc_handle_by_name(net_name, module_handle);
could also have been written as follows:
acc_set_scope(module_handle);
net_handle = acc_handle_object(net_name);
Related routines
acc_set_scope()
acc_handle_object()
Notes
The routines acc_handle_object and acc_set_scope will continue to be
supported.
Version 1.0 2-137

2.15.28
acc_handle_condition
acc_handle_condition
function returns a handle to the conditional expression for the specified path
syntax condition_handle = acc_handle_condition ( path_handle);
input: path_handle handle handle to a module path
Description
The return value is the conditional expression for the specified module or data path. If
there is no condition, null is returned.
Examples
The following routines provide functionality to see if a path is conditional, and, if it is,
whether it is level-sensitive or edge-sensitive. These routines assume that the input is
a valid handle to a module path.
2-138 Version 1.0

bool is_path_conditional(path)
{
if (acc_handle_condition(path))
return(TRUE);
else
return(FALSE);
}
bool is_level_sensitive(path)
{
bool flag;
handle path_in = acc_next_pathin(path, null);
if (is_path_conditional(path) && acc_fetch_edge(path_in))

flag = FALSE; /* path is edge-sensitive */
else
flag = TRUE; /* path is level_sensitive */
acc_release_object(path_in);
return (flag);
}
Figure 2-48: Finding conditional edge-sensitive and level-sensitive paths
Version 1.0 2-139

2.15.29
acc_handle_conn
acc_handle_conn
function returns handle to the net connected to a primitive terminal
syntax net_handle = acc_handle_conn( terminal_handle);
input: terminal_handle handle handle of the primitive terminal
Call acc_next_terminal or acc_handle_terminal to obtain terminal_handle

related Call acc_next_load to obtain terminal loads
routine Call acc_next_driver to obtain terminal drivers
2-140 Version 1.0

Usage example
The following example presents a C-language routine, display_driven_net, that
displays the net connected to the output terminal of a gate.
display_driven_net()
{
handle gate_handle, terminal_handle, net_handle;
acc_initialize();
/*get handle for the gate*/
/*get handle for the gate’s output terminal*/
terminal_handle = acc_handle_terminal( gate_handle, 0 );
/*get handle for the net connected to the output terminal*/
net_handle = acc_handle_conn( terminal_handle );
/*display net name*/
io_printf( "Gate %s drives net %s\n",
acc_fetch_fullname( gate_handle ),
acc_fetch_name( net_handle ) );
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-49: Displaying the net connected to the output terminal of a gate
Version 1.0 2-141

2.15.30
acc_handle_datapath
acc_handle_datapath
function returns a handle to a datapath for a module instance for the specified edge-sensitive module path
syntax datapath_handle = acc_handle_datapath ( modpath_handle);
input: modpath_handle handle handle to a module path
Description
The return value is a handle to the data path associated with the module path. If there
is no data path, null is returned.
Example
The following routine finds the data path corresponding to the specified module path
and displays the source and destination port names for the data path. It uses
acc_next_input() and acc_next_output() to get the input and output,
respectively, for a given path. Since a data path has only one input and one output, you
must call acc_release_object to free the memory allocated for the input and
output handles.
display_datapath_terms(modpath)
handle modpath;
{
handle datapath = acc_handle_datapath(modpath);
handle pathin = acc_next_input(datapath, NULL);
handle pathout = acc_next_output(datapath, NULL);
/* there is only one input and output to a datapath */

io_printf(“DATAPATH INPUT: %s\n”, acc_fetch_fullname(pathin));
io_printf(“DATAPATH OUTPUT: %s\n”, acc_fetch_fullname(pathout));
acc_release_object(pathin);
acc_release_object(pathout);
}
Figure 2-50: Finding the data path that corresponds to a module path
2-142 Version 1.0

2.15.31
acc_handle_hiconn
acc_handle_hiconn
function returns the hierarchically higher net connection to a scalar module port or a bit of a vector port
syntax hiconn_handle = acc_handle_hiconn( port_ref_handle);
input: port_ref_handle handle handle to a scalar port or a bit of a

vector port
Description
The function returns the hierarchically higher net connection for a scalar port or a bit
of one of the following:
• vector port
• part select of a port
• concatenation of any scalar ports, vector ports, part-selects of ports, or other
concatenations
Version 1.0 2-143

Example
For the indicated port, display the high and low connection(s).
display_port_info(mod, index)
handle mod;
int index;
{
handle port = acc_handle_port (mod, index);
handle hiconn, loconn, port_bit;
if (acc_fetch_size(port) = 1) {
hiconn = acc_handle_hiconn (port);
loconn = acc_handle_loconn (port);
io_printf (“ hi: %s lo: %s\n”,
acc_fetch_fullname(hiconn), acc_fetch_fullname(loconn));
} else {
port_bit = null;
while (port_bit = acc_next_bit (port, port_bit))
{
}
}
Figure 2-51: Displaying the hiconn and loconn of a port
2-144 Version 1.0

2.15.32
acc_handle_loconn
acc_handle_loconn
returns the hierarchically lower net connection to a scalar module port or a bit of a vector port
function
syntax loconn_handle = acc_handle_loconn( port_ref_handle);
input: port_ref_handle handle handle to a scalar port or a bit of a

vector port
Description
The function returns the hierarchically lower net connection for a scalar port or a bit of
one of the following:
• vector port
• part select of a port
• concatenation of any scalar ports, vector ports, part selects of ports, or other
concatenations
Version 1.0 2-145

Example
For the indicated port, display the high and low connection(s).
display_port_info(mod, index)
handle mod;
int index;
{
handle port = acc_handle_port (mod, index);
handle hiconn, loconn, port_bit;
if (acc_fetch_size(port) = 1) {
} else {
port_bit = null;
while (port_bit = acc_next_bit (port, port_bit))
{
}
}
Figure 2-52: Displaying the hiconn and loconn of a port
2-146 Version 1.0

2.15.33
acc_handle_modpath
acc_handle_modpath
function returns handle to the path of a module
path_handle = acc_handle_modpath(module_handle, source_name, destination_name,

syntax source_handle, destination_handle);
inputs: module_handle handle handle of the module
source_name character string pointer: name of a net connected to a

quoted string literal or module path source
destination_name character string pointer: name of a net connected to a

quoted string literal or module path destination
source_handle handle handle of a net connected to a

(required if accEnableArgs is set module path source
and source_name is null)
destination_handle handle handle of a net connected to a

(required if accEnableArgs is set module path destination
and destination_name is null)
related Use acc_configure(accEnableArgs, "acc_handle_modpath") to use source_handle and

routine destination_handle arguments
If: acc_handle_modpath:
you call: uses the associated handle
acc_configure(accEnableArgs, "acc_handle_modpath") argument, source_handle
and or destination_handle, in-
you pass: stead of the name argument
either source_name or destination_name as a null pointer
you do not call: always ignores both handle

acc_configure(accEnableArgs, "acc_handle_modpath") arguments and uses the
name arguments instead
(both handle arguments
may be dropped)
Table 2-63: How acc_handle_modpath works
Version 1.0 2-147

Optional arguments
When an optional argument is required for a particular call to
acc_handle_modpath, you must set the configuration parameter
accEnableArgs by calling acc_configure as follows:
acc_configure(accEnableArgs, "acc_handle_modpath");
If accEnableArgs is not set for acc_handle_modpath, the routine always
ignores its optional arguments.
When an optional argument is not required for a particular call to
acc_handle_modpath, it can be dropped as long as it does not precede any
required arguments.
However, when an optional argument does precede one or more required arguments, it
must be supplied even if it is ignored by the access routine. In this case, you can specify
the argument as a null value.
Usage example
The following example shows how the C-language routine get_paths uses
acc_handle_modpath to obtain handles for the paths that connect each of the
sources and destinations listed in the file pathconn.dat: The format of
pathconn.dat appears in Figure 2-53; the source code for get_paths appears in
Figure 2-54.
• path source
module name
•
top.mod1 in out
•
• path destination
Figure 2-53: Format of file pathconn.dat
2-148 Version 1.0

#include <stdio.h>
get_paths()
{
FILE *infile;
char mod_name[NAME_SIZE], src_name[NAME_SIZE], dest_name[NAME_SIZE];
handle path_handle, mod_handle;

acc_initialize();

/*set accPathDelimStr to "_"*/

acc_configure( accPathDelimStr, "_" );

infile = fopen("pathconn.dat","r");
while( fscanf(infile,"%s %s %s",mod_name,src_name,dest_name) != EOF )
{
/*get handle for module mod_name*/
mod_handle = acc_handle_object( mod_name );
path_handle = acc_handle_modpath( mod_handle, src_name, dest_name );
if( !acc_error_flag )
io_printf( "Path %s was found\n",
acc_fetch_fullname( path_handle ) );
else
io_printf( "Path %s_%s was not found\n",src_name,dest_name );
}
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-54: Displaying specific paths in a module
The identifier EOF is a predefined constant that stands for end of file. NAME_SIZE is
a user-defined constant that represents the maximum number of characters allowed for
any object name in an input file.
Version 1.0 2-149

2.15.34
acc_handle_object
acc_handle_object
function returns handle for any named object
syntax net_handle = acc_handle_object(object_instance_name);
input: object_instance_name character string pointer: full or relative hierarchical path name of
quoted string literal or the object instance
related To call acc_handle_object with a simple object instance name, call acc_set_scope first to set scope
routine to the appropriate level in the design hierarchy
Usage example
The following example presents a C-language routine, write_prim_delays, that
uses acc_handle_object to retrieve handles for net names read from a file called
primdelay.dat. The format of the file is shown in Figure 2-55; the example
appears in Figure 2-56.
Note that write_prim_delays assumes that each net is driven by only one
primitive.
rise delay
•
•
top.m1.net7 10.4 8.5
•
name of net • fall delay
Figure 2-55: Format of file primdelay.dat
2-150 Version 1.0

#include <stdio.h>
write_prim_delays()
{
FILE *infile;
char full_net_name[NAME_SIZE];
double rise,fall;
handle net_handle, driver_handle, prim_handle;

acc_initialize();

/*set accPathDelayCount parameter for rise and fall delays only*/


infile = fopen("primdelay.dat","r");
while( fscanf(infile,"%s %lf %lf",full_net_name,&rise,&fall) != EOF )
{
/*get handle for the net*/
net_handle = acc_handle_object(full_net_name);
/*get primitive connected to first net driver*/

driver_handle = acc_next_driver( net_handle, null);
prim_handle = acc_handle_parent( driver_handle );
/*replace delays with new values*/

acc_replace_delays( prim_handle, rise, fall );
}
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-56: Writing new rise and fall delays for primitives
The identifier EOF is a predefined constant that stands for end of file. NAME_SIZE is
a user-defined constant that represents the maximum number of characters allowed for
any object name in an input file.
Version 1.0 2-151

2.15.35
acc_handle_parent
acc_handle_parent
function returns handle for the parent primitive instance or module instance of an object
syntax parent_handle = acc_handle_parent(object_handle);
input: object_handle handle handle of an object
What is a parent?
A parent is an object that contains another object. The parent of a terminal is the
primitive object that contains it; the parent of any other object (except a top-level
module) is the module instance that contains argthe object.
Top-level modules do not have parents. Therefore, when you pass a top-level module
handle to acc_handle_parent, it returns null.
Usage example
This example shows the C-language routine get_primitives that uses
acc_handle_parent to determine which primitives’ terminals drive a net.
get_primitives(net_handle)
handle net_handle;
{
handle driver_handle;
/*get primitive that owns each terminal that drives the net*/
driver_handle = null;
while( driver_handle = acc_next_driver( net_handle, driver_handle ) )
{
primitive_handle = acc_handle_parent( driver_handle );
io_printf( "Primitive %s drives net %s\n",
acc_fetch_fullname( primitive_handle ),
acc_fetch_fullname( net_handle ) );
}
}
Figure 2-57: Determining which primitives’ terminals drive a net
2-152 Version 1.0

2.15.36
acc_handle_path
acc_handle_path
function returns a handle to an inter-module path that represents the connection from an output port to an input
port
syntax InterModPath_handle = acc_handle_path(port_output_handle, port_input_handle);

handle to one of the following:
inputs: port_output_handle handle
• a scalar output port
• a scalar bidirectional port
• one bit of a vector output
port
• one bit of a vector
bidirectional port
port_input_handle handle handle to one of the following:

• a scalar input port
• a scalar bidirectional port
• one bit of a vector input
port
• one bit of a vector
bidirectional port
Use acc_next_port, acc_handle_port to retrieve a handle to a scalar port

related Use acc_next_bit to retrieve a handle to a bit of a vector port or a bit of a concatenated port
routines Use acc_fetch_direction to determine whether a port is an input, an output, or bidirectional
Use acc_handle_path to retrieve handles to inter-module paths. An inter-module

path is a wire path that connects an output or inout port of one module to an input or
inout port of another module.
Arguments
The access routine acc_handle_path takes two arguments. Table 2-64 outlines the
requirements for each argument.
The first argument must be: The second argument must be:
m an output port or bidirectional port m an input port or bidirectional port
m scalar or be a bit of a vector port or m scalar or be a bit of a vector port

concatenated port or of a concatenated port
Table 2-64: Arguments to acc_handle_path
Version 1.0 2-153

Paths supported
In this release, acc_handle_path returns handles only for wire paths that are inter-
module paths.
Paths Not Supported

This routine acc_handle_path does not return handles for the following paths:
• module paths
• wire paths with connections to terminals
Usage example
The following C-language code fragment shows how to fetch min:typ:max delays for
the inter-module path referenced by intermod_path. Assume the Verilog-HDL
source description contains only one delay per transition.
fetch_mintypmax_delays( port_output, port_input )
handle port_output, port_input;
{
•
•
•
handle intermod_path;
double delay_array[9]; acc_handle_path
• returns a handle to a wire
path that represents the
• connection from an output
• (or inout) port to an input
acc_configure( accMinTypMaxDelays, "true" ); (or inout) port
•
•
•
intermod_path = acc_handle_path( port_output, port_input );
acc_fetch_delays( intermod_path, delay_array );
•
• acc_fetch_delays places the
• following values in delay_array:
} delay_array[0] =
delay_array[1] = min:typ:max
rise delay
delay_array[2] =
delay_array[3] =
min:typ:max
delay_array[4] = fall delay
delay_array[5] =
delay_array[6] =
delay_array[7] = min:typ:max
turn-off delay
delay_array[8] =
Figure 2-58: Fetching min:typ:max delays for an inter-module path
2-154 Version 1.0

2.15.37
acc_handle_pathin
acc_handle_pathin
function returns handle for the first net connected to a module path source
syntax pathin_handle = acc_handle_pathin(path_handle);
input: path_handle handle handle of the module path
related Use acc_next_modpath or acc_handle_modpath to get path_handle

routine
Usage example
The following example shows how the C-language routine get_path_nets uses
acc_handle_pathin to find the net connected to the input of a path.
get_path_nets(path_handle)
handle path_handle;
{
handle pathin_handle, pathout_handle;
pathin_handle = acc_handle_pathin( path_handle );

pathout_handle = acc_handle_pathout( path_handle );
io_printf( "Net connected to input is: %s\n",
acc_fetch_name( pathin_handle ) );
io_printf( "Net connected to output is: %s\n",
acc_fetch_name( pathout_handle ) );
}
Figure 2-59: Finding the net connected to the input of a path
Version 1.0 2-155

2.15.38
acc_handle_pathout
acc_handle_pathout
function returns handle for the first net connected to a module path destination
syntax pathout_handle = acc_handle_pathout(path_handle);
input: path_handle handle handle of the module path
related Use acc_next_modpath or acc_handle_modpath to get path_handle

routine
Usage example
acc_handle_pathout to find the net connected to the output of a path.
get_path_nets(path_handle)
handle path_handle;
{

io_printf( "Net connected to input is: %s\n",
io_printf( "Net connected to output is: %s\n",
}
Figure 2-60: Finding the net connected to the output of a path
2-156 Version 1.0

2.15.39
acc_handle_port
acc_handle_port
function returns handle for a module port
port_handle = acc_handle_port(module_handle, port_index);

syntax
inputs: module_handle handle handle of a module
port_index integer index of the desired port
What is an index?
The index of a port is its position in a module definition in your source description.
Indexes are integers that start at zero and increase from left to right. The following
table shows how port indexes are derived:
For: Indexes are:

implicit ports: 0 for port q
module A( q,a,b); 1 for port a
2 for port b
explicit ports: 0 for explicit port epm1.q
module top; 1 for explicit port epm1.a
reg ra,rb; 2 for explicit port epm1.b
wire wq;
explicit_port_mod epm1( .b(rb),.a(ra),.q(wq) );
initial
$$systemtask;
endmodule
module m1;
explicit_port_mod( q,a,b );
input a,b;
output q;
nand( q,a,b );
endmodule
Table 2-65: Deriving port indexes
Version 1.0 2-157

Usage example
The following example shows how the C-language routine is_port_output uses
acc_handle_port to identify whether a particular module port is an output.
bool is_port_output(module_handle,port_index)
int port_index;
{
handle port_handle;
int direction;
/*check port direction*/

port_handle = acc_handle_port( module_handle, port_index);
if( direction == accOutput || direction == accInout )
return( true );
else
return( false );
}
Figure 2-61: Identifying if a module port is an output
2-158 Version 1.0

2.15.40
acc_handle_scope
acc_handle_scope
function returns a handle to the scope which contains an object
syntax scope_handle = acc_handle_scope ( object_handle);
input: object_handle handle handle to an object
Description
This function returns the handle to the scope of an object. The scope can be either a
module, task, function, named parallel block, or named sequential block.
Example
The following example displays the scope which contains an object.
get_scope(obj)
handle obj;
{
handle scope = acc_handle_scope (obj);
io_printf (“Scope %s contains object %s\n”,

acc_fetch_fullname(scope), acc_fetch_name(obj);
}
Figure 2-62: Displaying the scope of an object
Version 1.0 2-159

2.15.41
acc_handle_simulated_net
acc_handle_simulated_net
function returns the simulated net associated with the collapsed net passed as an argument
syntax simulated_net_handle = acc_handle_simulated_net(collapsed_net_handle);

return value simulated_net_handle handle handle of the simulated net
input collapsed_net_handle handle handle of a collapsed net
The access routine acc_handle_simulated_net returns a handle to the

simulated net that is associated with a specified collapsed net . Note that if you pass
a handle to a net that is not collapsed, acc_handle_simulated_net returns a
handle to that same net.
2-160 Version 1.0

Usage example
In the following example, the routine display_simulated_nets uses
acc_handle_simulated_net to find all simulated nets within a particular
scope. The routine then displays each collapsed net, along with the simulated net.
void display_simulated_nets()
{
handle mod_handle;
handle simulated_net_handle;
handle net_handle;

acc_initialize();
/*get scope-first argument passed to user-defined system task*/

io_printf( "In module %s:\n",acc_fetch_fullname(mod_handle) );
net_handle = null;
/*display name of each collapsed net and its net of origin*/

{
if (acc_object_of_type( net_handle,accCollapsedNet) )
{
simulated_net_handle = acc_handle_simulated_net(net_handle);
io_printf(" net %s was collapsed onto net %s\n",
acc_fetch_name( net_handle ),
acc_fetch_name( simulated_net_handle) );
}
}
}
Figure 2-63: Displaying collapsed nets in a particular scope
Note the use of the property accCollapsedNet to determine whether

net_handle has been collapsed onto another net.
Version 1.0 2-161

2.15.42
acc_handle_tchk
acc_handle_tchk
function returns handle for the specified timing check of a module (or cell)
syntax timing_check_handle = acc_handle_tchk(module_handle, timing_check_type,

first_arg_conn_name, first_arg_edge_type,
second_arg_conn_name, second_arg_edge_type,
first_arg_conn_handle, second_arg_conn_handle);

(or cell)
timing_check_type one of these predefined constants: type of timing check

accHold accSetup
accNochange accSkew
accPeriod accWidth
accRecovery
first_arg_conn_name character string pointer: name of the net

quoted string literal or connected to first
character pointer variable timing check argument
first_arg_edge_type one of these predefined constants: edge of the net

accNegedge connected to first timing
accNoedge check argument
accPosedge
or
list of these constants, separated by +:
accEdge01 accEdge0x accEdgex1
or
list of these constants, separated by +:
accEdge10 accEdge1x accEdgex0
second_arg_conn_name (same as for first_arg_conn_name) name of the net

(depends on type of timing check) connected to second
timing check argument
second_arg_edge_type (same as for first_arg_edge_type) edge of the net

(depends on type of timing check) connected to second
timing check argument
first_arg_conn_handle handle handle of the net

(required if accEnableArgs is set connected to first
and first_arg_conn_name is null) timing check argument
second_arg_conn_handle handle handle of the net

(required if accEnableArgs is set and connected to second
second_arg_conn_name is null) timing check argument
related Use acc_configure(accEnableArgs, "acc_handle_tchk") to use first_arg_conn_handle and

routine second_arg_conn_handle arguments
2-162 Version 1.0


The following table shows how acc_handle_tchk works:
If: acc_handle_tchk:
tchk_type is accWidth or accPeriod ignores second_arg_conn_name,
second_arg_edge_type and
second_arg_conn_handle
(you can drop any one of these three optional

arguments as long as it does not precede any
required arguments; otherwise, the optional
argument must be provided)
you call: uses the associated handle argument,

acc_configure(accEnableArgs, "acc_handle_tchk") first_arg_conn_handle or
and second_arg_conn_handle, instead
you pass: of the name argument
first_arg_conn_name or
second_arg_conn_name as a null pointer
you do not call: always ignores both handle arguments

acc_configure(accEnableArgs, "acc_handle_tchk") and uses the name arguments instead
(the handle arguments can be dropped)
Table 2-66: How acc_handle_tchk works
Edge group constants represent groups of transitions

Access routines recognize predefined edge group constants that represent groups of
transitions among 0, 1 and x edge values that trigger timing checks, as described in
Table 2-67.
Version 1.0 2-163

Edge group constant Description of edge trigger

accNegedge any negative transition:
1 to 0
1 to x
x to 0
accNoedge any transition:
0 to 1
0 to x
x to 1
1 to 0
1 to x
x to 0
accPosedge any positive transition:
0 to 1
0 to x
x to 1
Table 2-67: Edge group constants
Edge specific constants represent individual transitions

Access routines recognize predefined edge specific constants that represent individual
transitions among 0, 1 and x edge values that trigger timing checks, as described in
Table 2-68.
Edge specific constant Description of edge trigger

accEdge01 transition from 0 to 1
accEdge0x transition from 0 to x
accEdgex1 transition from x to 1
accEdge10 transition from 1 to 0
accEdge1x transition from 1 to x
accEdgex0 transition from x to 0
Table 2-68: Edge specific constants
Edge sums
Edge sums are lists of edge specific constants connected by plus (+) signs. They
represent the Verilog-HDL edge control specifiers used by particular timing checks.
Figure 2-64 shows the call to acc_handle_tchk that accesses a $width timing
check containing edge control specifiers.
2-164 Version 1.0

This access routine call: accesses this timing check:

acc_handle_tchk( cell_handle, $width( edge[10,x0]clk,
accWidth, limit );
"clk",
accEdge10+accEdgex0 );
edge sum
models
edge control specifier
Figure 2-64: Edge sums model edge control specifiers
Optional arguments
When an optional argument is required for a particular call to acc_handle_tchk,
you must set the configuration parameter accEnableArgs by calling
acc_configure as follows:
acc_configure(accEnableArgs, "acc_handle_tchk");
If accEnableArgs is not set for acc_handle_tchk, the routine always ignores
its optional arguments.
When an optional argument is not required for a particular call to
acc_handle_tchk, the argument can be dropped as long as it does not precede any
required arguments. However, when an optional argument does precede one or more
required arguments, it must be supplied even if it is ignored by the access routine. In
this case, you can specify the argument as a null value.
Figure 2-65 shows an example in which optional arguments to acc_handle_tchk
can be dropped; Figure 2-66 shows an example in which optional arguments must be
specified.
Version 1.0 2-165

sample call:
acc_handle_tchk( mod_handle, accPeriod, "clk", accPosedge );
syntax:
acc_handle_tchk(module_handle,
timing_check_type,
first_arg_conn_name,
first_arg_edge_type, not required
second_arg_conn_name, because $period has
only one connection
second_arg_edge_type,
drop
first_arg_conn_handle, because these optional
second_arg_conn_handle); arguments do not precede
any required arguments
not required
because
first_arg_conn_name
is supplied
drop
because this optional
argument does not precede KEY
any required arguments required arguments appear in bold type
optional arguments appear in plain type
Figure 2-65: Example showing optional arguments that may be dropped in acc_handle_tchk
2-166 Version 1.0

sample call:
acc_handle_tchk( mod_handle,accPeriod,null,accPosedge,null,null,clk_handle)
syntax:
acc_handle_tchk(module_handle,
timing_check_type,
first_arg_conn_name,
first_arg_edge_type,
second_arg_conn_name,
second_arg_edge_type,
first_arg_conn_handle,
second_arg_conn_handle)
not required not required

because because $period has
first_arg_conn_handle
only one connection
is supplied
drop
must supply because this optional
because this optional argument does not precede
argument does precede any required arguments
two required arguments not required
because $period has
only one connection
must supply
because these optional
arguments do precede
one required argument
KEY
required arguments appear in bold type
optional arguments appear in plain type
Figure 2-66: Example showing optional arguments that may and may not be dropped in
acc_handle_tchk
Usage example
The following example shows how the C-language routine get_ps_tchks uses
acc_handle_tchk to identify all cells in a module that contain either or both of the
following timing checks:
• a period timing check triggered by a positive edge on the clock signal clk
• a setup timing check triggered on signal d by any transition and on signal clk
by either of these clock edge transitions: 1 to 0 or x to 0
Version 1.0 2-167

get_ps_tchks()
{
handle module_handle, port_handle, net_handle, cell_handle;

acc_initialize();


io_printf( "Module is %s\n", acc_fetch_name(module_handle) );
/*scan all cells in module for: */

/* period timing checks triggered by a positive clock edge */
/* setup timing checks triggered by 1->0 and x->0 clock edges*/
cell_handle = null;
while( cell_handle = acc_next_cell(module_handle, cell_handle) )
{
if( acc_handle_tchk( cell_handle,accPeriod,"clk",accPosedge ) )
io_printf("positive clock edge triggers period check in cell %s\n",
acc_fetch_fullname( cell_handle ) );
if( acc_handle_tchk( cell_handle,accSetup,"d",accNoedge,
"clk",accEdge10+accEdgex0 ) )
io_printf("10 and x0 edges trigger setup check in cell %s\n",
acc_fetch_fullname( cell_handle ) );
}
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-67: Identifying all cells in a module that contain particular period and setup timing checks
There are several constructs to note in this example:

• Both calls to acc_handle_tchk supply names for all relevant connections;
therefore, the arguments first_arg_conn_handle and
second_arg_conn_handle are not supplied.
• acc_handle_tchk ignores second_arg_conn_name,
second_arg_edge_type and second_arg_conn_handle for period
timing checks; therefore, these arguments are not supplied.
2-168 Version 1.0

2.15.43
acc_handle_tchkarg1
acc_handle_tchkarg1
function returns handle for the net connected to the first argument of a timing check
first_arg_conn_handle = acc_handle_tchkarg1(tchk_handle);
syntax
input: tchk_handle handle handle of a timing check
related Use acc_next_tchk or acc_handle_tchk to obtain handles for timing checks

routine
Version 1.0 2-169

Usage example
The following example presents a C-language routine, show_check_nets, that uses
acc_handle_tchkarg1 to obtain the net connected to the first argument of each
setup timing check in each cell under a module.
show_check_nets()
{
handle module_handle,cell_handle;
handle tchk_handle,tchkarg1_handle,tchkarg2_handle;
int tchk_type,counter;
acc_initialize();

io_printf("module is %s\n", acc_fetch_fullname( module_handle ) );
/*scan all cells in module for timing checks*/
cell_handle = null;
while ( cell_handle = acc_next_cell( module_handle, cell_handle ) )
{
io_printf( "cell is: %s\n", acc_fetch_fullname( cell_handle ) );
counter = 0;
while ( tchk_handle = acc_next_tchk( cell_handle, tchk_handle) )
{
/*get nets connected to timing check arguments*/
tchk_type = acc_fetch_type( tchk_handle );
if ( tchk_type == accSetup )
{
counter++;
io_printf(" for setup check #%d:\n",counter);
tchkarg1_handle = acc_handle_tchkarg1( tchk_handle );
io_printf(" data net is %s\n reference net is %s\n",
acc_fetch_name( tchkarg1_handle ),
acc_fetch_name( tchkarg2_handle ) );
}
}
}
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-68: Obtaining the nets connected to first arguments of setup timing checks in cells
2-170 Version 1.0

2.15.44
acc_handle_tchkarg2
acc_handle_tchkarg2
function returns handle for the net connected to the second argument of a timing check
second_arg_conn_handle = acc_handle_tchkarg2(tchk_handle);
syntax
input: tchk_handle handle handle of a timing check
related Use acc_next_tchk or acc_handle_tchk to obtain handles for timing checks

routine
Version 1.0 2-171

Usage example
The following C-language routine, show_check_nets, uses
acc_handle_tchkarg2 to obtain the net connected to the second argument of
each setup timing check in each cell under a module. Note that
acc_handle_tchkarg2 returns null if you pass it a handle to a timing check that
requires only one net argument.
show_check_nets()
{
handle module_handle,cell_handle;
acc_initialize();
io_printf("module is %s\n", acc_fetch_fullname( module_handle ) );
cell_handle = null;
while ( cell_handle = acc_next_cell( module_handle, cell_handle ) )
{
io_printf( "cell is: %s\n", acc_fetch_fullname( cell_handle ) );
counter = 0;
{
tchk_type = acc_fetch_type( tchk_handle );
{
counter++;
io_printf(" data net is %s\n reference net is %s\n",
}
}
}
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-69: Obtaining the nets connected to second arguments of setup timing checks in cells
2-172 Version 1.0

2.15.45
acc_handle_terminal
acc_handle_terminal
function returns handle for a primitive_terminal
term_handle = acc_handle_terminal(primitive_handle, terminal_index);

syntax
inputs: primitive_handle handle handle of a primitive
terminal_index integer index of the desired

terminal
What is an index?
The index of a terminal is its position in a gate, switch, or UDP declaration. Indexes
are integers that start at zero and increase from left to right.
The following table shows how terminal indexes are derived:
For: Indexes are:

nand 0 for terminal out
g1(out,in1,in2); 1 for terminal in1
2 for terminal in2
Table 2-69: Deriving terminal indexes
Version 1.0 2-173

Usage example
The following example shows how the C-language routine print_terminal_net
uses acc_handle_terminal to identify the name of a net connected to a primitive
terminal.
print_terminal_net(gate_handle, term_index)
handle gate_handle;
int term_index;
{
handle term_handle;
term_handle = acc_handle_terminal( gate_handle, term_index );
io_printf( "%s terminal net #%d is %s\n",
acc_fetch_name(gate_handle),
term_index,
acc_fetch_name( acc_handle_conn(term_handle) ) );
}
Figure 2-70: Identifying the name of a net connected to a primitive terminal
2-174 Version 1.0

2.15.46
acc_handle_tfarg
acc_handle_tfarg
returns handle for the specified argument of the system task or function associated (through the PLI
function mechanism) with your C-language routine
syntax argument_handle = acc_handle_tfarg(argument_number);
input: argument_number integer value that references an object—passed as a

variable in the system task or function call—by
its position in the argument list
Types of arguments
The routine retrieves handles to the following types of system task or function
arguments:
• nets
• primitives
How arguments are numbered

Argument numbers start at 1 and increase from left to right in the order that they appear
in the system task or function call.
Passing arguments to system tasks and functions

For acc_handle_tfarg to retrieve handles to arguments, you must pass these
arguments to system tasks or functions in the following ways:
• For primitives, pass the lowest-level names or full hierarchical names as quoted
strings.
• For module instances and nets, pass the Verilog-HDL identifiers without
quotation marks or pass the full hierarchical names as quoted strings.
Following is a sample call to a system task called $mytask that takes two
arguments—a module instance and a gate instance:
$mytask(top.mod1,"top.mod1.nand6")’
Note that the module instance is passed as a Verilog-HDL identifier without quotation
marks, while the gate instance name is passed as a quoted string.
Version 1.0 2-175

When: acc_handle_tfarg:
the system task or function returns a handle to the net or
argument is a Verilog-HDL module
identifier for a net or module
the system task or function calls acc_handle_object with the

argument is a quoted string name string as an argument and, if found,
of any object returns a handle to the object
Table 2-70: How acc_handle_tfarg works
Identifying collapsed nets

The access routine acc_handle_tfarg can be used to return a handle to the collapsed net
passed as an argument to a user-defined system task or function. This enables Value Change
Link (VCL) applications such as waveform displays to show the name of a monitored collapsed
net along with its value changes.
Usage example
The following example shows a C-language routine called new_timing that has the
following characteristics:
• changes the rise and fall delays of a gate
• takes three arguments—the first is a Verilog-HDL gate and the others are
double-precision floating-point constants representing rise and fall delay values
• links through the PLI mechanism with a Verilog-HDL system task called
$timing_task
To invoke the routine new_timing, you must first call the system task
$timing_task from your Verilog-HDL source description or interactively from the
command line. Here is a sample call:
$timing_task( "top.g12", 8.4, 9.2 );
2-176 Version 1.0

When Verilog encounters this call, it executes new_timing, which contains the
following code:
new_timing()
{
handle gate_handle;
double new_rise, new_fall;
/*initialize and configure access routines*/

acc_initialize();
acc_configure(accToHiZDelay, "max");
/*get handle to gate*/

gate_handle = acc_handle_tfarg( 1 ); top.g12
/* get new delay values */
8.4
new_rise = tf_getrealp( 2 );
new_fall = tf_getrealp( 3 );
9.2
/*place new delays on the gate*/
acc_replace_delays( gate_handle,new_rise,new_fall);
/* report action */
io_printf("Primitive %s has new delays %d %d\n",
acc_fetch_fullname( gate_handle ),
new_rise, new_fall );
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-71: Changing the rise and fall delays on a gate
A handle to the first argument—the gate top.g12—is retrieved using

acc_handle_tfarg, while the other two arguments—the delay values—are
retrieved using tf_getrealp.
Version 1.0 2-177

2.15.47
acc_initialize
acc_initialize
function initializes the environment for access routines
syntax acc_initialize();
arguments none
related Call acc_close before exiting your C-language routine

routines
The initialization functions

The routine acc_initialize performs the following functions:
• initializes all configuration parameters to their default values
• allocates memory for string handling and other internal uses
When to call acc_initialize

You must call acc_initialize in your C-language routine before invoking any
other access routines.
Avoiding application interference

Potentially, multiple PLI applications running in the same simulation session can
interfere with each other because they share the same set of configuration parameters.
To guard against application interference, both acc_initialize and
acc_close reset any configuration parameters that have changed from their default
values.
2-178 Version 1.0

Usage example
acc_initialize to initialize the environment for access routines.
display_inputs()
{
handle module_handle,port_handle;
int direction;

acc_initialize();


port_handle = null;
while (port_handle = acc_next_port( module_handle, port_handle) )
{
/*determine if port is an input*/
if ( direction == accInput )
io_printf( "Port #%d of module %s is an input",
acc_fetch_fullname( module_handle) );
}
acc_close();
}
Version 1.0 2-179

2.15.48
acc_next
acc_next
function within a scope, returns the next object of each type specified in object_type_array
syntax object_handle = acc_next(object_type_array, module_handle, object_handle);

return value object_handle handle handle of the object found
inputs object_type_array integer array array containing one or more predefined

integer constants that represent the types
of objects desired; the last element must
be 0
module_handle handle handle of the desired scope
object_handle handle handle of the object found
The access routine acc_next allows you to scan one or more types of objects within
a scope. This routine performs a more general function than the object-specific NEXT
routines—such as acc_next_net and acc_next_primitive —which scan
only one type of object within a scope.
How to set up the array of object types

Declare the array of object types as a static, integer array inside the C routine that calls
acc_next. The array can contain any number and combination of the predefined
integer constants listed in Table 2-71 through Table 2-74, and must be terminated by a
0. The predefined integer constants specify the types and fulltypes of objects that
acc_next will return.
The following C-language statement shows how to declare an array of object types
called net_reg_list :
static int net_reg_list[3] = {accNet,accRegister,0};
If you pass this array to acc_next , the access routine will return handles to nets and
registers within the specified scope.
Order of objects returned

The routine acc_next returns objects in an arbitrary order.
2-180 Version 1.0

Type of object Predefined integer constant

module accModule
net accNet
primitive accPrimitive
Table 2-71: Types supported by acc_next
Net fulltype Predefined integer constant

net of type wire accWire
net of type tri accTri

wired-AND nets accWand
accTriand
wired-OR nets accWor
accTrior
pulldown, pullup nets accTri0
accTri1
nets that model power supplies accSupply0
accSupply1
net that stores a value accTrireg
Table 2-72: Net fulltypes
Version 1.0 2-181

Module fulltype Predefined integer constant

module instance accModuleInstance
top-level module accTopModule
cell instance accCellInstance
Table 2-73: Module fulltypes
Primitive fulltype Predefined integer constant

gates with one or more inputs, one output accAndGate
accNandGate
accNorGate
accOrGate
accXnorGate
accXorGate
gates with one input, one or more outputs accBufGate
accNotGate
gates that model tri-state drivers accBufif0

accBufif1
accNotif0
accNotif1
MOS gates accNmosGate
accPmosGate
accRnmosGate
accRpmosGate
CMOS gates accCmosGate

accRcmosGate
bidirectional pass gates accRtranGate

accRtranif0Gate
accRtranif1Gate
accTranGate
accTranif0Gate
accTranif1Gate
pulldown, pullup gates accPulldownGate
accPullUpGate
combinational user-defined primitive accCombPrim
sequential user-defined primitive accSeqPrim
Table 2-74: Primitive fulltypes
2-182 Version 1.0

Usage example
The C-language routine in the following example uses acc_next to find all nets and
registers in a module. The routine then displays the names of these nets and registers.
void display_nets_and_registers()
{
static int net_reg_list[3] = {accNet,accRegister,0};
handle mod_handle, obj_handle;

acc_initialize();
/*get handle for module-first argument passed to*/

/* user-defined system task associated with this routine*/
io_printf( "Module %s contains these nets and registers:\n",
acc_fetch_fullname( mod_handle ) );
/*display names of all nets and registers in the module*/

obj_handle = null;
while( obj_handle = acc_next(net_reg_list,mod_handle,obj_handle) )
io_printf( " %s\n", acc_fetch_name( obj_handle ) );
}
Figure 2-73: Displaying the names of all nets and registers in a module
Version 1.0 2-183

2.15.49
acc_next_bit
acc_next_bit
function returns the handles of each bit in an expanded vector port or expanded vector net
syntax acc_next_bit( port_or_net_handle, bit_handle);

port_or_net_handle handle handle of a port
bit_handle handle handle of a bit
related Use acc_next_port to return the next port of a module

routines Use acc_handle_port to return the handle for a module port
The access routine acc_next_bit accesses all of the bits of a vector port or vector
net. This routine retrieves the handles to each bit of a port or net. You can pass these
handles to access routines that insert, replace, or return MIPD values.
Vector versus scalar objects

When the object associated with port_handle or net_handle is a vector object,
the first call to acc_next_bit returns the handle to the most significant bit of the
object. Subsequent calls return the handles to the remaining bits down to the least
significant bit. The call after the return of the handle to the least significant bit returns
null.
When the object associated with port_handle or net_handle is a scalar object,
acc_next_bit treats the object like a vector of size 1. The first call returns the
handle to the scalar object; the next call returns null.
2-184 Version 1.0

Usage examples
The following example C-subroutine, display_port_bits, uses
acc_next_bit to display the low hierarchical connection of each bit of a port.
display_port_bits(module_handle, port_number)
int port_number;
{
handle port_handle, bit_handle;
/* get handle for port */

port_handle = acc_handle_port(module_handle, port_number);
/* display port number and module instance name */

io_printf("Port %d of module %s contains the following bits: \n",
port_number, acc_fetch_fullname(module_handle));
/* display low hierarchical connection of each bit */

bit_handle = null;
while( bit_handle = acc_next_bit(port_handle, bit_handle))
io_printf( " %s\n",acc_fetch_fullname(bit_handle) );
}
Figure 2-74: Displaying the low hierarchical connection of each bit of a port
Version 1.0 2-185

The following example C subroutine, monitor_bits, requests that VCL monitor the
logic value of each bit of an expanded vector net.
void consumer_routine();
void monitor_bits()
{
handle bit_handle, net_handle, mod_handle;
acc_initialize();
acc_configure( accDevelopmentVersion, "1.5c" );
/*get handle for module-first argument passed*/

/* to user-defined system task associated with*/
/* this routine*/
/*check all nets in the module*/
net_handle = null;
while( net_handle = acc_next_net( mod_handle, net_handle ) )
{
/*request that VCL to monitor each bit of expanded vector nets*/
if( acc_object_of_type( net_handle,accExpandedVector ) )
{
bit_handle = null;
while( bit_handle = acc_next_bit( net_handle, bit_handle ) )
acc_vcl_add( bit_handle,consumer_routine,null,
vcl_verilog_logic);
}
}
}
Figure 2-75: Monitoring the logic value of each bit of an expanded vector net
2-186 Version 1.0

2.15.50
acc_next_cell
acc_next_cell
function returns the next cell instance within the region that includes the entire hierarchy below a module
syntax cell_handle = acc_next_cell( module_handle, cell_handle);
inputs: module_handle handle handle of the starting module
cell_handle handle handle of the cell instance found
What is a cell instance?

A cell instance is a module instance that has either of these characteristics:
• it is defined in a library (and you have not specified +nolibcell)
• its definition appears between the compiler directives ‘celldefine and
‘endcelldefine
Nested cells
The routine acc_next_cell does not find cells that are instantiated inside other
cells.
Version 1.0 2-187

Usage example
The following C-language routine, list_cells, uses acc_next_cell to find all
cell instances beginning at the level defined by module_handle.
list_cells()
{
handle cell_handle;

acc_initialize();


io_printf( "%s contains the following cells:\n",
acc_fetch_fullname( module_handle ) );
/*display names of all cells in the module*/

cell_handle = null;
while(cell_handle = acc_next_cell(module_handle,cell_handle))
io_printf(" %s\n",acc_fetch_fullname(cell_handle));
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-76: Finding all cell instances under a module
2-188 Version 1.0

2.15.51
acc_next_cell_load
acc_next_cell_load
function returns the next load on a net inside a cell
syntax load_handle = acc_next_cell_load( net_handle, load_handle);
inputs: net_handle handle handle of the net
load_handle handle handle of the primitive input terminal found
related acc_next_load
routines
What is a cell load?

A cell load is a primitive input terminal that connects to one of the input or inout ports
of a cell instance driven by a net.
The difference between acc_next_cell_load and acc_next_load

The routine acc_next_cell_load returns only one primitive input terminal per
cell input or inout port driven by the net—chosen arbitrarily.
The routine acc_next_load returns every primitive input terminal driven by the
net, whether it is inside a cell or a module instance.
Figure 2-77 illustrates the difference between these two access routines. It presents a
sample circuit in which net1 drives primitive gates in cell1, cell2 and cell3.
The diagram shows that for this circuit, calling acc_next_cell_load inside a
while loop returns three primitive input terminals, while calling acc_next_load
from inside a while loop returns four primitive input terminals.
Version 1.0 2-189

net1
cell1
cell2
cell3
2
3
2
1 1
acc_next_load acc_next_cell_load
returns four primitive returns three primitive
input terminals input terminals
Figure 2-77: The difference between acc_next_cell_load and acc_next_load
2-190 Version 1.0

Usage example
The following C-language routine, get_cell_loads, uses
acc_next_cell_load to find all cell loads on a net.
get_cell_loads()
{
handle net_handle;
handle load_handle,load_net_handle;

acc_initialize();

/*get handle for net*/

net_handle = acc_handle_tfarg(1);
/*display names of all cell loads on the net*/

load_handle = null;
while(load_handle = acc_next_cell_load(net_handle,load_handle))
{
load_net_handle = acc_handle_conn(load_handle);
io_printf("Cell load is connected to: %s\n",
acc_fetch_fullname(load_net_handle) );
}
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-78: Finding all cell loads on a net
Version 1.0 2-191

2.15.52
acc_next_child
acc_next_child
function returns the next child of a module
syntax child_handle = acc_next_child( module_handle, child_handle);
child_handle handle handle of a module instantiated inside

the module associated with
module_handle
What is a child?
A child is a module instance that appears inside another module.
When: acc_next_child:
the first argument, module_handle, works exactly like
is null acc_next_topmod to scan for
top-level modules
the first argument, module_handle, scans for modules instantiated

is not null inside the module associated with
module_handle
Table 2-75: How acc_next_child works
Collecting and counting top-level modules

The access routine acc_next_topmod does not work with acc_collect or
acc_count. However, you can collect or count top-level modules by passing
acc_next_child with a null reference object argument. Here is a sample call that
collects top-level modules:
Here is a sample call that counts top-level modules:
2-192 Version 1.0

Usage example
The following C-language routine, print_children, uses acc_next_child to
display the names of all modules instantiated within the module_handle input
argument.
print_children(module_handle)
{
handle child_handle;
io_printf("Module %s contains the following module instances:\n",

/*display names of all children within the module*/

child_handle = null;
while(child_handle = acc_next_child(module_handle,child_handle))
io_printf(" %s\n",acc_fetch_name(child_handle));
}
Figure 2-79: Displaying all children of a module
Version 1.0 2-193

2.15.53
acc_next_driver
acc_next_driver
function returns the next primitive terminal that drives a net
syntax driver_handle = acc_next_driver(net_handle,driver_handle);
driver_handle handle handle of the driver found
Usage example
This example shows the C-language routine print_drivers that uses
acc_next_driver to determine which primitives’ terminals drive a net.
print_drivers(net_handle)
handle net_handle;
{
handle driver_handle;
io_printf("Net %s is driven by the following primitives:\n",

acc_fetch_fullname(net_handle) );
/*get primitive that owns each terminal that drives the net*/
driver_handle = null;
while( driver_handle = acc_next_driver( net_handle, driver_handle ) )
{
primitive_handle = acc_handle_parent( driver_handle );
io_printf( " %s\n",
acc_fetch_fullname( primitive_handle ) );
}
}
Figure 2-80: Determining which primitives’ terminals drive a net
2-194 Version 1.0

2.15.54
acc_next_hiconn
acc_next_hiconn
function returns the next hierarchically higher net connection to a port of a module
syntax net_handle = acc_next_hiconn(port_handle, net_handle);
inputs: port_handle handle handle of the port
net_handle handle handle of the net connection found
related acc_next_loconn
routines
What is a hierarchically higher connection?

A hierarchically higher connection is the part of the net that appears outside the
module, as shown in the diagram below:
module
lower higher
Version 1.0 2-195

Usage example
The following example presents a C-language routine, display_connections,
that uses acc_next_hiconn to find and display the high net connections to a
module port.
display_connections(module_handle, port_handle)
handle module_handle, port_handle;
{
handle hiconn_net, loconn_net;
/*get and display low connections*/

io_printf("For module %s, port #%d low connections are:\n",
acc_fetch_fullname(module_handle),
acc_fetch_index(port_handle) );
loconn_net = null;
while ( loconn_net = acc_next_loconn( port_handle, loconn_net ) )
io_printf(" %s\n", acc_fetch_fullname(loconn_net) );
/*get and display high connections*/

io_printf("For module %s, port #%d high connections are:\n",
hiconn_net = null;
while ( hiconn_net = acc_next_hiconn( port_handle, hiconn_net ) )
io_printf(" %s\n", acc_fetch_fullname(hiconn_net) );
}
Figure 2-81: Displaying the high net connections to a module port
2-196 Version 1.0

2.15.55
acc_next_input
acc_next_input
function returns a handle to the next input path terminal of the specified module path or datapath
syntax terminal_handle = acc_next_input ( path_handle, terminal_handle);

path_handle handle handle to a module path or data path
input:
terminal_handle handle handle to an input path terminal
Description
The routine scans the inputs of a module path or sources of a data path and returns
handles to the input path terminals. Routine acc_handle_conn() can then be
applied to this path terminal to derive the net connected to the terminal.
Example
The example on the following page accepts a handle to a scalar net or a net bit-select,
and a module path. The routine returns true if the net is connected to the input of the
path.
Related routines
acc_handle_conn() : returns nets connected to path terminals
acc_release_object() : frees allocated memory
Usage and efficiency hints

The first time you call acc_next_input, PLI allocates the memory for a handle to
an input and returns the handle to you. Each subsequent time you call the routine, PLI
changes the handle to point to the next input. When you have completed scanning all
inputs or an error condition arises, PLI returns a null handle and deallocates the
memory for the handle.
If you do not scan all inputs, memory for the handle remains allocated. Call
acc_release_object to deallocate the memory.
For paths with only one input, such as a data path, you will most likely call
acc_next_input once, outside a loop. In this case, you should also call
acc_release_object because PLI cannot return a handle and deallocate the
memory for that handle in the same call.
Failure to deallocate memory for input and output handles may result in a significant
waste of memory in a large application.
Version 1.0 2-197

bool is_net_on_path_input(net, path)

handle net; /* scalar net or bit-select of vector net */
handle path;
{
handle port_in, port_conn, bit;
/* scan path intput terminals */

port_in = null;
while (port_in = acc_next_input(path, port_in))
{
/* retrieve net connected to path terminal */
port_conn = acc_handle_conn (port_in);
bit = null;
if (acc_object_of_type (port_conn, accExpandedVector))
{
bit = null;
while (bit = acc_next_bit (port_conn, bit))
if (acc_compare_handles (bit, net))
return (true);
}
else
return (true);
}
return (false);
}
Figure 2-82: Determine if a net is connected to the input of a path
2-198 Version 1.0

2.15.56
acc_next_load
acc_next_load
function returns the next primitive terminal driven by a net
syntax load_handle = acc_next_load(net_handle, load_handle);
load_handle handle handle of the terminal found
related acc_next_cell_load
routines
The difference between acc_next_load and acc_next_cell_load

The routine acc_next_load returns every primitive input terminal driven by the
net, whether it is inside a cell or a module instance.
The routine acc_next_cell_load returns only one primitive input terminal per
cell input or inout port driven by the net—chosen arbitrarily.
Figure 2-83 illustrates the difference between these two access routines. It presents a
sample circuit in which net1 drives primitive gates in cell1, cell2, module1,
and cell3. The diagram shows that for this circuit, calling
acc_next_cell_load inside a while loop returns three primitive input terminals,
while calling acc_next_load from inside a while loop returns four primitive input
terminals.
Version 1.0 2-199

net1
cell1
cell2
cell3
2
3
2
1 1
acc_next_load acc_next_cell_load
returns four primitive returns three primitive
input terminals input terminals
Figure 2-83: The difference between acc_next_cell_load and acc_next_load
2-200 Version 1.0

Usage example
This example shows how the C-language routine get_loads uses
acc_next_load to find all terminals driven by a net.
get_loads()
{
handle net_handle, load_handle, load_net_handle;

acc_initialize();


net_handle = acc_handle_tfarg( 1 );
io_printf( "Net %s is driven by:\n",acc_fetch_fullname( net_handle ) );
/*get primitive that owns each terminal driven by the net*/

load_handle = null;
while( load_handle = acc_next_load( net_handle, load_handle ) )
{
load_net_handle = acc_handle_conn( load_handle );
io_printf( " %s ",
acc_fetch_fullname( load_net_handle ) );
}
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-84: Finding all terminals driven by a net
Version 1.0 2-201

2.15.57
acc_next_loconn
acc_next_loconn
function returns the next hierarchically lower net connection to a port of a module
syntax net_handle = acc_next_loconn(port_handle, net_handle);
inputs: port_handle handle handle of the port
net_handle handle handle of the net connection found
related acc_next_hiconn
routines
What is a hierarchically lower connection?

A hierarchically lower connection is the part of the net that appears inside the
module, as shown in the diagram below:
module
lower higher
2-202 Version 1.0

Usage example
The following example presents a C-language routine, display_connections,
that uses acc_next_loconn to find and display the low net connections to a module
port.
display_connections(module_handle, port_handle)
handle module_handle, port_handle;
{
handle hiconn_net, loconn_net;
/*get and display low connections*/

io_printf("For module %s, port #%d low connections are:\n",
loconn_net = null;
while ( loconn_net = acc_next_loconn( port_handle, loconn_net ) )
io_printf(" %s\n", acc_fetch_fullname(loconn_net) );
/*get and display high connections*/

io_printf("For module %s, port #%d high connections are:\n",
hiconn_net = null;
while ( hiconn_net = acc_next_hiconn( port_handle, hiconn_net ) )
io_printf(" %s\n", acc_fetch_fullname(hiconn_net) );
}
Figure 2-85: Displaying the low connections to a module port
Version 1.0 2-203

2.15.58
acc_next_modpath
acc_next_modpath
function returns the next path of a module
syntax load_handle = acc_next_modpath(module_handle, path_handle);
path_handle handle handle of the path found
Usage example
acc_next_modpath to find the nets connected to the inputs and outputs of all paths
across a module.
get_path_nets(module_handle)
{
handle path_handle;
/*scan all paths in the module and display nets connected to each*/
/* source and destination*/
io_printf( "For module %s:\n",acc_fetch_fullname( module_handle ) );
path_handle = null;
while( path_handle = acc_next_modpath( module_handle, path_handle) )
{
io_printf(" path %s connections are:\n",
acc_fetch_name( path_handle ) );
io_printf( "net %s connected to input\n",
io_printf( "net %s connected to output\n",
}
}
Figure 2-86: Finding the nets connected to the inputs and outputs of all paths across a module
2-204 Version 1.0

2.15.59
acc_next_net
acc_next_net
function returns the next net of a module
syntax load_handle = acc_next_net(module_handle, net_handle);
net_handle handle handle of the net found
related Use acc_next_bit to return the next bit of a vector net

routines
Identifying vector nets

The access routine acc_next_net returns a handle to a vector net as a whole; it does
not return a handle to each individual bit of a vector net. However, you can use
acc_next_bit to retrieve a handle for each bit of an expanded vector net, as
described in Section 2.15.49.
Version 1.0 2-205

Usage example
The following C-language routine, display_net_names, uses acc_next_net
to display the names of all nets in a module.
display_net_names()
{
handle mod_handle, net_handle;

acc_initialize();


io_printf( "Module %s contains the following nets:\n",
acc_fetch_fullname( mod_handle ) );

net_handle = null;
while( net_handle = acc_next_net( mod_handle, net_handle ) )
io_printf( " %s\n", acc_fetch_name( net_handle ) );
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-87: Displaying the names of all nets in a module
2-206 Version 1.0

2.15.60
acc_next_output
acc_next_output
function returns a handle to the next output path terminal of the specified module path or datapath
syntax terminal_handle = acc_next_output ( path_handle, terminal_handle);

path_handle handle handle to a module path or data path
input:
terminal_handle handle handle to an output path terminal
Description
The routine scans the outputs of a module path or sources of a data path and returns
handles to the output path terminals. Routine acc_handle_conn() can then be
applied to this path terminal to derive the net connected to the terminal.
Example
The example on the following page accepts a handle to a scalar net or a net bit-select,
and a module path. The routine return true if the net is connected to the output of the
path.
Related routines
acc_handle_conn() : returns nets connected to path terminals
acc_release_object() : frees allocated memory

The first time you call acc_next_output, PLI allocates the memory for a handle
to an output and returns the handle to you. Each subsequent time you call the routine,
PLI changes the handle to point to the next output. When you have completed scanning
all outputs or an error condition arises, PLI returns a null handle and deallocates the
If you do not scan all outputs, memory for the handle remains allocated. Call
acc_release_object to deallocate the memory.
For paths with only one output, such as a data path, you will most likely call
acc_next_output once, outside a loop. In this case, you should also call
acc_release_object because PLI cannot return a handle and deallocate the
memory for that handle in the same call.
Failure to deallocate memory for output and output handles may result in a significant
Version 1.0 2-207

bool is_net_on_path_output(net, path)

handle net; /* scalar net or bit-select of vector net */
handle path;
{
handle port_out, port_conn, bit;
/* scan path output terminals */

port_out = null;
while (port_out = acc_next_output(path, port_out))
{
/* retrieve net connected to path terminal */
port_conn = acc_handle_conn (port_out);
bit = null;
if (acc_object_of_type (port_conn, accExpandedVector))
{
bit = null;
while (bit = acc_next_bit (port_conn, bit))
return (true);
}
else
return (true);
}
return (false);
}
Figure 2-88: Determine if a net is connected to the input of a path
Related routines
acc_release_object()
Error conditions and detection

If the path is not a valid path of type accModPath or accDataPath, null is
returned.

The first time you call acc_next_output, PLI allocates the memory for a handle
to an output and returns the handle to you. Each subsequent time you call the routine,
PLI changes the handle to point to the next output. When you have completed scanning
all outputs or an error condition arises, PLI returns a null handle and deallocates the
2-208 Version 1.0

Version 1.0 2-209

2.15.61
acc_next_parameter
acc_next_parameter
function returns the next parameter within a module
syntax parameter_handle = acc_next_parameter(module_handle, parameter_handle);
parameter_handle handle handle of the parameter found
Usage example
The following C-language routine, print_parameter_values, uses
acc_next_parameter to scan all parameters in a module.
print_parameter_values(module_handle)
{
{
io_printf( "Parameter %s = ",acc_fetch_fullname( param_handle ));
{
case accRealParam:
break;
break;
}
}
}
Figure 2-89: Displaying the values of all parameters in a module
2-210 Version 1.0

2.15.62
acc_next_port
acc_next_port
function returns the next input, output or inout port of a module in the order specified by the port list
syntax load_handle = acc_next_port(module_handle, port_handle);
port_handle handle handle of the input, output or inout

port found
related acc_next_portout
routines
How acc_next_port differs from acc_next_portout

The routine acc_next_port returns input, output, and inout ports;
acc_next_portout returns output and inout ports only, a task often required for
delay calculation.
Accessing the next port connected to a hierarchically lower net

This routine returns the next port connected to a hierarchically lower net as well as the
next port of a module. To get a port connected to a lower net, specify the net as the
reference object argument for this routine.
Version 1.0 2-211

Usage example
acc_next_port to find and display the input ports of a module.
display_inputs(module_handle)
{
handle port_handle;
int direction;
/*get handle for each module port*/
port_handle = null;
while (port_handle = acc_next_port( module_handle, port_handle) )
{
if ( acc_fetch_direction( port_handle ) == accInput )
io_printf( "Port #%d of %s is an input\n",
}
}
The next example presents a C-language routine, display_port_connections,

that uses acc_next_port to find and display information about all of the ports
connected to each bit of the port connected to the net input handle given as the
argument.
display_port_connections()
{
handle net = acc_handle_tfarg(1);
handle port, bit;
port = bit = null;

while (port = acc_next_port (net, port))
if (acc_object_of_type (port, accVectorPort))
while (bit = acc_next_bit (port, bit))
io_printf("PORTBIT: %s LOCONN: %s HICONN: %s/n",
acc_fetch_fullname(bit),
acc_fetch_fullname(acc_handle_loconn(bit)),
acc_fetch_fullname(acc_handle_hiconn(bit)));
}
Figure 2-91: Displaying the input ports of a hierarchically lower net
2-212 Version 1.0

2.15.63
acc_next_portout
acc_next_portout
function returns the next output or inout port of a module in the order specified by the port list
syntax load_handle = acc_next_portout(module_handle, port_handle);
port_handle handle handle of the output or inout port found
related acc_next_port
routines
How acc_next_portout differs from acc_next_port

The routine acc_next_port returns input, output, and inout ports;
acc_next_portout returns output and inout ports only, a task often required for
delay calculation.
Usage example
The following example presents a C-language routine, display_outputs, that uses
acc_next_portout to find the output and inout ports of a module.
display_outputs(module_handle)
{
handle port_handle;
/*get handle for each module port*/
port_handle = null;
while (port_handle = acc_next_portout( module_handle, port_handle) )
{
/*give the index of each output or inout port*/
io_printf( "Port #%d of %s is an output or inout\n",
}
}
Figure 2-92: Displaying the output and inout ports of a module
Version 1.0 2-213

2.15.64
acc_next_primitive
acc_next_primitive
function returns the next gate, switch or user-defined primitive (UDP) within a module
syntax primitive_handle = acc_next_primitive(module_handle, primitive_handle);
primitive_handle handle handle of the gate, switch or UDP found
Usage example
get_primitive_definitions, that uses acc_next_primitive to display
the defining names of all primitives in a module.
get_primitive_definitions()
{
handle module_handle, prim_handle;
acc_initialize();
io_printf("Module %s contains the following types of primitives:\n",
/*get and display defining names of all primitives in the module*/
prim_handle = null;
while( prim_handle = acc_next_primitive( module_handle,prim_handle))
io_printf( " %s\n",
acc_fetch_defname( prim_handle ) );
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-93: Displaying the defining names of all primitives in a module
2-214 Version 1.0

2.15.65
acc_next_specparam
acc_next_specparam
function returns the next specparam within a module
syntax specparam_handle = acc_next_specparam(module_handle, specparam_handle);
specparam_handle handle handle of the specparam found
Usage example
The following C-language routine, print_specparam_values, uses
acc_next_specparam to scan all specparams in a module.
print_specparam_values(module_handle)
{
handle sparam_handle;
sparam_handle = null;
while(sparam_handle = acc_next_specparam(module_handle,sparam_handle))
{
io_printf( "Specparam %s = ", acc_fetch_fullname( sparam_handle ) );
switch( acc_fetch_paramtype( sparam_handle ) )
{
case accRealParam:
io_printf( "%lf\n", acc_fetch_paramval( sparam_handle) );
break;
io_printf( "%d\n", (int)acc_fetch_paramval( sparam_handle) );
break;
io_printf("%s\n",(char*)(int)acc_fetch_paramval(sparam_handle));
}
}
}
Figure 2-94: Displaying the values of all specparams in a module
Version 1.0 2-215

2.15.66
acc_next_tchk
acc_next_tchk
function returns the next timing check within a module
syntax timing_check_handle = acc_next_tchk(module_handle, timing_check_handle);
timing_check_handle handle handle of the timing check found
2-216 Version 1.0

Usage example
The following example presents a C-language routine, show_setup_check_nets,
that uses acc_next_tchk to scan all cells below a module for setup timing checks.
show_setup_check_nets()
{
handle mod_handle,cell_handle;
acc_initialize();
cell_handle = null;
while ( cell_handle = acc_next_cell( mod_handle, cell_handle ) )
{
io_printf( "cell is: %s\n", acc_fetch_name( cell_handle ) );
counter = 0;
tchk_handle = null;
{
tchk_type = acc_fetch_fulltype( tchk_handle );
{
counter++;
tchkarg1_handle = acc_handle_tchkarg1( tchk_handle,mod_handle );
tchkarg2_handle = acc_handle_tchkarg2( tchk_handle,mod_handle );
io_printf(" 1st net is %s\n 2nd net is %s\n",
}
}
}
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-95: Scanning all cells below a module for setup timing checks
Version 1.0 2-217

2.15.67
acc_next_terminal
acc_next_terminal
function returns the next terminal of a gate, switch or user-defined primitive (UDP)
syntax terminal_handle = acc_next_terminal(primitive_handle, terminal_handle);
inputs: primitive_handle handle handle of the gate, switch or UDP
terminal_handle handle handle of the terminal found
Usage example
In the example in Figure 2-96, the routine display_terminals uses
acc_next_terminal to retrieve all nets connected to a primitive.
display_terminals()
{
handle prim_handle,term_handle;

acc_initialize();

/*get handle for primitive*/

prim_handle = acc_handle_tfarg( 1 );
io_printf("Connections to primitive %s:\n",

acc_fetch_fullname(prim_handle) );
/*scan all terminals of the primitive
/* and display their nets*/
term_handle = null;
while( term_handle = acc_next_terminal(prim_handle,term_handle) )
io_printf(" %s\n",
acc_fetch_name( acc_handle_conn(term_handle) ) );
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-96: Retrieving all nets connected to a primitive
2-218 Version 1.0

2.15.68
acc_next_topmod
acc_next_topmod
function returns the next top-level module
syntax module_handle = acc_next_topmod(module_handle);
inputs module_handle handle handle of the top-level module found
related Pass acc_next_child with null module_handle to acc_collect and acc_count to collect or count top-
routines level modules
Collecting and counting top-level modules

The access routine acc_next_topmod does not work with acc_collect or
acc_count. However, you can collect or count top-level modules by passing
acc_next_child with a null reference object argument. Here is a sample call that
collects top-level modules:
Here is a sample call that counts top-level modules:
Version 1.0 2-219

Usage example
The following example presents a C-language routine, show_top_modules, that
uses acc_next_topmod to display the names of all top-level modules.
show_top_modules()
{

acc_initialize();

/*scan all top-level modules*/

io_printf("The top-level modules are:\n");
module_handle = null;
while ( module_handle = acc_next_topmod( module_handle ) )
/*display the instance name of each module*/

io_printf(" %s\n",
acc_fetch_name(module_handle) );
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-97: Displaying the names of all top-level modules
2-220 Version 1.0

2.15.69
acc_object_in_typelist
acc_object_in_typelist
function determines whether an object fits a type or fulltype—or exhibits a property—specified in an input array
syntax flag = acc_object_in_typelist(object_handle, object_type_array);

return value flag boolean true if object’s type, fulltype or property
matches one specified in the array
false if there is no match
inputs object_handle handle handle of an object
object_type_array integer array array containing one or more predefined

integer constants that represent the types
and properties of objects desired; the last
element must be 0
The access routine acc_object_in_typelist determines whether an object

fits one of the types or fulltypes—or exhibits one of the properties—specified in a list .
You pass this list as an array of predefined integer constants.
How to set up the array of object types

Declare the array of object types as a static, integer array inside the C routine that calls
acc_object_in_typelist . The array can contain any number and
combination of the predefined integer constants listed in Table 2-44 through
Table 2-53 in Section 2.15.13, Table 2-60 in Section 2.15.23, and Table 2-76 in Section
2.15.70, and must be terminated by a 0. These constants specify the types, fulltypes,
and properties acc_object_in_typelist supports.
The following C-language statement shows how to declare an array of object types
called wired_nets :
static int wired_nets[5]={accWand,accWor,accTriand,accTrior,0};
If you pass this array to acc_object_in_typelist , the access routine will
return true if its input object is a wired net.
Version 1.0 2-221

Usage example
In the following example, the C-language routine display_wired_nets uses
acc_object_in_typelist to determine if a net is a wired net. The routine
then displays the name of each wired net found.
display_wired_nets()
{
static int wired_nets[5]={accWand,accWor,accTriand,accTrior,0};
handle net_handle;

acc_initialize();

net_handle = acc_handle_tfarg( 1 );
/*if a wired logic net, display its name*/

if( acc_object_in_typelist(net_handle,wired_nets) )
io_printf( "Net %s is a wired net\n",acc_fetch_name(net_handle) );
else
io_printf( "Net %s is not a wired net\n",acc_fetch_name(net_handle) );
}
Figure 2-98: Displaying the names of wired nets
2-222 Version 1.0

2.15.70
acc_object_of_type
acc_object_of_type
function determines whether an object fits a specified type or fulltype, or exhibits a specified property
syntax flag = acc_object_of_type(object_handle, object_type);

return value flag boolean true if object’s type, fulltype, or property
matches the one specified by
object_type
false if there is no match
inputs object_handle handle handle of an object
object_type integer a predefined integer constant that

represents a type, fulltype or property
The access routine acc_object_of_type determines whether an object fits a

specified type or fulltype or exhibits a particular property. The type, fulltype, or
property can be any one of the predefined integer constants listed in Table 2-44 through
Table 2-53 in Section 2.15.13, Table 2-60 in Section 2.15.23, and Table 2-76 below.
Property of object Predefined integer constant

scalar accScalar
vector accVector
collapsed net accCollapsedNet
expanded vector accExpandedVector
Table 2-76: Properties
Version 1.0 2-223

Usage example
In the following example, the routine display_collapsed_nets uses
acc_object_of_type to determine whether nets are collapsed nets. The routine
then displays each collapsed net, along with the simulated net.
void display_collapsed_nets()
{
handle mod_handle;
handle net_handle;
handle simulated_net_handle;

acc_initialize();
/*get scope-first argument passed to user-defined system task*/

io_printf( "In module %s:\n",acc_fetch_fullname(mod_handle) );
net_handle = null;
/*display name of each collapsed net and its net of origin*/

{
if ( acc_object_of_type( net_handle,accCollapsedNet ) )
{
simulated_net_handle = acc_handle_simulated_net(net_handle);
io_printf(" net %s was collapsed onto net %s\n",
acc_fetch_name( net_handle ),
acc_fetch_name( simulated_net_handle) );
}
}
}
Figure 2-99: Displaying collapsed nets in a particular scope
2-224 Version 1.0

2.15.71
acc_product_version
acc_product_version
returns a pointer to a character string that indicates what version of a Verilog simulator is linked to the
function access routines
syntax character_pointer = acc_product_version();
arguments none
The output string

The routine acc_product_version produces a character string in the following
format:
PRODUCT NAME Version VERSION NUMBER
For example, if access routines are linked to version 1.6a of a Verilog simulator,
acc_product_version returns a pointer to the following string:
"Verilog Version 1.6a"
Usage example
The following example presents a C-language routine, show_versions, that uses
acc_product_version to identify the version of the Verilog simulator that is
linked to access routines.
show_versions()
{
acc_initialize();
/* and version of Verilog that is linked to access routines*/
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-100: Identifying the version of a Verilog simulator that is linked to access routines
Version 1.0 2-225

2.15.72
acc_release_object
acc_release_object
function deallocates memory associated with an input or output terminal path
syntax integer_variable = acc_release_object ( object_handle);
input: object_handle handle handle to an input or output terminal

path
Description
This routine deallocates memory for an input or output terminal path handle. You
should call this routine after acc_next_input and acc_next_output under the
following circumstances:
• Y ou have not scanned all inputs or outputs.
• The input or output path had only one terminal.
• An error was returned.
Failure to deallocate memory for input and output handles may result in a significant
Examples
The following routine finds the data path corresponding to an input module path, and
displays the source and destination port names for the data path. It uses
acc_next_input and acc_next_output to get the first input and output,
respectively, for a given path. Since it only calls acc_next_input and
acc_next_output once, it must call acc_release_object to free the
memory allocated for the input and output handles.
2-226 Version 1.0

void display_datapath_terms(modpath)
handle modpath;
{
handle datapath = acc_handle_datapath(modpath);
handle pathin = acc_next_input(datapath, NULL);
handle pathout = acc_next_output(datapath, NULL);
/* there is only one input and output to a datapath */
io_printf(“DATAPATH INPUT: %s\n”, acc_fetch_fullname(pathin));
io_printf(“DATAPATH OUTPUT: %s\n”, acc_fetch_fullname(pathout));
acc_release_object(pathout);
}
Figure 2-101: Releasing the memory for a datapath’s input and output handles
In the following code fragment, there may be more than four inputs, but the code stops
scanning at the fourth input.
pathin = NULL;
for (i = 0; i <= 4; i++)
pathin = acc_next_input(path, pathin);
io_printf(“THE FOURTH INPUT IS: %s\n”,
acc_fetch_name(pathin));
Figure 2-102: Releasing memory if scanning may have been incomplete
In the following code fragment, there may be more than one input, but only the first
one is accessed.
Version 1.0 2-227

first_pathout = acc_next_output(path, NULL);

do_something_with(first_pathout);
acc_release_object(first_pathout);
Figure 2-103: Releasing memory after one input
Related routines
acc_next_input()
acc_next_output()
2-228 Version 1.0

2.15.73
acc_replace_delays
acc_replace_delays (single delay per transition)

when accMinTypMaxDelays is "false", replaces delay values for primitives, module paths, timing
function checks or module input ports with delay values passed as arguments
syntax
primitives: acc_replace_delays( primitive_handle,
rise_delay, fall_delay, z_delay);
module acc_replace_delays( path_handle,

paths: delay1, delay2, delay3,
delay4, delay5, delay6);
timing acc_replace_delays( timing_check_handle, limit);

checks:
ports: acc_replace_delays( port_handle, rise_delay, fall_delay, z_delay);
port’s bits acc_replace_delays( bit_handle, rise_delay, fall_delay, z_delay);

primitives, rise_delay double object’s rise delay

ports, fall_delay double object’s fall delay
port’s bits:
z_delay double object’s turn-off delay
(depends on accToHiZDelay)
module delay1 double module path’s delay for transitions determined by
paths accPathDelayCount
timing limit double timing check’s limit
checks
related Use acc_configure(accMinTypMaxDelays, "false") for single delay per transition

routines Use acc_configure( accPathDelayCount... ) to set number of module path delays to replace
Use acc_configure(accToHiZDelay...) to calculate turn-off delays from rise and fall delay values
Version 1.0 2-229

acc_replace_delays (min:typ:max delays)
function when accMinTypMaxDelays is "true", replaces delay values for primitives, module paths, timing
checks, module input ports or inter-module paths with min:typ:max delay values from an array
syntax
primitives: acc_replace_delays( primitive_handle, array_ptr);
module acc_replace_delays( path_handle, array_ptr);

paths:
timing acc_replace_delays( timing_check_handle, array_ptr);
checks:
ports: acc_replace_delays( port_handle, array_ptr);
port’s acc_replace_delays( bit_handle, array_ptr);

bits:
inter-module acc_replace_delays(intermod_path_handle, array_ptr);
paths

inputs: object_handle handle handle of a primitive, module path, inter-module
path, timing check, module input port or bit of a
module input port
array_ptr double pointer to array of min:typ:max values

related Use acc_configure(accMinTypMaxDelays, "true") for min:typ:max delays for each transition
routines
The access routine acc_replace_delays works differently depending on how the

to "false", acc_replace_delays assumes a single delay per transition and
expects each delay to be passed as an individual argument. For this single delay mode,
the first syntax table in this section applies.
When accMinTypMaxDelays is set to "true", acc_replace_delays

expects one or more sets of min:typ:max delays to be passed in an array, rather than
single delays passed as individual arguments. For this min:typ:max delay mode, the
second syntax table in this section applies.
The routine acc_replace_delays writes different delay values for different
acc_replace_delays is set for single delay mode ( accMinTypMaxDelays is
2-230 Version 1.0

For: acc_replace_delays writes:

primitives with a Z state: two or three delays:
bufif gates depends on how you configure
notif gates accToHiZDelay
MOS switches
primitives with no Z state two delays:

rise delay, rise_delay
fall delay, fall_delay

accPathDelayCount

module input or inout ports two or three delays:

(MIPDs) depends on how you configure
accToHiZDelay
Table 2-77: How acc_replace_delays writes delays in single delay mode
In single delay mode, it is up to the user to supply the correct number of delay
arguments to acc_replace_delays, as follows:
• MIPDs and Z-state primitives require two delay arguments— rise_delay and
fall_delay—if accToHiZDelay is set to " average", " max" or " min"
• MIPDs and Z-state primitives require three delay arguments— rise_delay,
fall_delay and Z_delay—if accToHiZDelay is set to " from_user"
(the default)
• Primitives with no Z state require two delay arguments— rise_delay and
fall_delay.
For more information on the configuration parameters accToHiZDelay and
accPathDelayCount, refer to Table 2-79, Table 2-80 and Table 2-81.
Table 2-78 shows how acc_replace_delays writes delays in min:typ:max delay
mode.
Version 1.0 2-231

For: acc_replace_delays: The delay array must pass:

module input writes three sets of min:typ:max delays: nine values:
inter-module array[4] = typical fall delay
paths array[5] = maximum fall delay

not used)
module paths writes one, two, three or six sets of three, six, nine or18 values:
accPathDelayCount
(see Table 2-80)
timing checks writes one set of min:typ:max delays: three values:

limit
limit
limit
Table 2-78: How acc_replace_delays writes delays in min:typ:max delay mode
There are a couple of points to note in Table 2-78:

• For module input ports, primitives and inter-module paths, always declare an
array of size 9, even if the objects do not have a Z state.
detail.
Replacing delays for module paths (single delay mode)

In single delay mode, you can control how many delays acc_replace_delays
writes for module paths by using the access routine acc_configure to set the delay
count parameter accPathDelayCount as shown in Table 2-79.
2-232 Version 1.0

When
accPathDelayCount is: acc_replace_delays writes:
1 one delay value, the same for all
transitions: delay1
2 two delay values:


one for transitions to z: delay3
(last three delay arguments may be
dropped)
6 all six delay values, a different delay for

(the default) each possible transition among 0, 1 and z:
The minimum number of delay arguments to pass to acc_replace_delays must

acc_replace_delays writes rise and fall delays for module paths:

must pass all six delay arguments when you call acc_replace_delays in single
delay mode.
Replacing delays for module paths (min:typ:max mode)
Version 1.0 2-233

The following rules apply when you modify min:typ:max delays for module paths:
accPathDelayCount
accPathDelayCount
module paths.
2-234 Version 1.0


is: is:


"6" six: 18 values:

Version 1.0 2-235

Replacing delays for inter-module paths

An inter-module path is a wire path that connects an output or inout port of one module
to an input or inout port of another module. You can use the access routines
acc_fetch_delays and acc_replace_delays to fetch and modify delays for
inter-module paths.
Please note: For inter-module paths, you must fetch or replace delays in
min:typ:max delay mode. Therefore, set accMinTypMax to "true" before
calling acc_fetch_delays or acc_replace_delays for inter-module
paths.
Changing module input port delays (MIPDs)

Use acc_replace_delays to modify existing Module Input Port Delays (MIPDs).
An MIPD is a delay associated with a module input port or inout port. The MIPD
describes the delay between the module port and each of the loads in its fanout. In an
MIPD you can specify rise, fall, and high impedance propagation delays.
You can write an MIPD for each individual bit of a vector port using
acc_replace_delays in conjunction with acc_next_bit. For more
information, see Section 2.15.49.

2-236 Version 1.0

Calculating turn-off delays from rise and fall delays

In single delay mode, you can instruct acc_replace_delays to automatically
calculate turn-off delays from rise and fall delays by using the access routine
acc_configure to set the parameter accToHiZDelay as follows:
When accToHiZDelay is: acc_replace_delays:
"average" calculates turn-off delay as the

average of the rise and fall delays
"min" calculates turn-off delay as the

smaller of the rise and fall delays
"max" calculates turn-off delay as the larger

of the rise and fall delays
"from_user" sets turn-off delay to the value passed

(default) as a user-supplied argument:
z_delay for primitives, ports
and port’s bits.
Table 2-81: How the value of accToHiZDelay affects acc_replace_delays
The following example shows how to set accToHiZDelay so that

acc_replace_delays calculates turn-off delays as the average of rise and fall
delays for Z-state primitives:
acc_configure( accToHiZDelay, "average" );
Note that the value you assign to accToHiZDelay also influences how
acc_append_delays derives turn-off delays.
The routine acc_replace_delays writes delay values in the timescale of the
module that contains primitive_handle, path_handle or
timing_check_handle.

The following example presents a C-language routine, write_path_delays, that
uses acc_replace_delays to replace the current delays on a path with new delay
values read from a file called pathdelay.dat. The format of the file is shown in
Figure 2-104; the example appears in Figure 2-105.
Version 1.0 2-237

path source rise delay

•
•
top.m1 in out 10.4 8.5
•
name of module path• destination fall delay
Figure 2-104: Format of file pathdelay.dat
#include <stdio.h>
write_path_delays()
{
FILE *infile;
char full_module_name[NAME_SIZE];
char pathin_name[NAME_SIZE], pathout_name[NAME_SIZE];
double rise,fall;
handle mod_handle, path_handle;
acc_initialize();
/*set accPathDelayCount parameter to return rise and fall delays only*/
infile = fopen("pathdelay.dat","r");
fscanf(infile, "%s %s %s %lf %lf",
full_module_name,pathin_name,pathout_name,&rise,&fall);
/*get handle for the module and the path*/
mod_handle = acc_handle_object(full_module_name);
path_handle = acc_handle_modpath(mod_handle,pathin_name,pathout_name);
/*replace delays with new values*/
acc_replace_delays( path_handle, rise, fall );
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-105: Replacing delays on a module path
Note that the identifier EOF is a predefined constant that stands for end of file.
NAME_SIZE is a user-defined constant that represents the maximum number of
characters allowed for any object name in an input file.
2-238 Version 1.0

Usage example: scaling min:typ:max delays

One way to scale delays for min:typ:max is to write a C application routine that
performs the following actions:
• fetches min:typ:max delays for an appropriate object
• multiplies each delay by a scale factor
• replaces min:typ:max delays for that object with the new, scaled values
The following C-language routine, scale_prim_delays, scales min:typ:max
delays on all primitive delays inside cells within a given scope.
Assume for this example that scale_prim_delays is associated through the
interface mechanism with a user-defined system task called $scaleprimdelays.
The scope and scale factors are passed as arguments to $scaleprimdelays as
follows:
scope
$scaleprimdelays( mychip, 0.4, 1.0, 1.6 );
scale factor scale factor

for minimum delay for maximum delay
scale factor
for typical delay
Assume that the Verilog-HDL description contains only one delay per transition—in
this case, the typical delay.
Version 1.0 2-239

void scale_prim_delays()
{
handle top, cell, prim;
int i, count;
double min_scale_factor, typ_scale_factor, max_scale_factor;
double da[9]; array must hold three sets
of min:typ:max values for
acc_initialize(); rise, fall and turn-off delays
acc_configure(accDevelopmentVersion,"1.5b.3");
acc_configure(accMinTypMaxDelays,"true");
top = acc_handle_tfarg(1); argument #1: scope
min_scale_factor = acc_fetch_tfarg(2); argument #2: scale factor for minimum delay
typ_scale_factor = acc_fetch_tfarg(3); argument #3: scale factor for typical delay
max_scale_factor = acc_fetch_tfarg(4); argument #4: scale factor for maximum delay
io_printf("Scale min:typ:max delays for primitives in cells below %s\n",

acc_fetch_fullname(top) );
io_printf("Scaling factors-min:typ:max-%4.2f:%4.2f:%4.2f\n",
min_scale_factor, typ_scale_factor, max_scale_factor );
count = 0; fetch min:typ:max

delays and store
cell = null; in array da as follows:
while (cell = acc_next_cell(top, cell)) da[0] typical
{ da[1] rise
da[2] delay
prim = null;
while (prim = acc_next_primitive(cell, prim)) da[3] typical
da[4] fall
{ da[5] delay
acc_fetch_delays(prim,da);
da[6] typical
da[7] turn-off
for (i=0; i<9; i+=3) da[8] delay
da[i] = da[i]*min_scale_factor;
for (i=1; i<9; i+=3)
da[i] = da[i]*typ_scale_factor; scale
delays
for (i=2; i<9; i+=3)
da[i] = da[i]*max_scale_factor;
replace min:typ:max
acc_replace_delays(prim,da); delays with scaled values
count++;
}
}
io_printf("Completed scale of %d primitives\n", count);
}
Figure 2-106: Scaling min:typ:max delays on primitives
2-240 Version 1.0

2.15.74
acc_set_scope
acc_set_scope
function sets a scope for acc_handle_object to use when searching in the design hierarchy
acc_set_scope(module_handle, module_name);
syntax
inputs: module_handle handle handle of a module instance
module_name character string pointer: name of a module instance

(required if accEnableArgs is set quoted string literal or
and module_handle is null) character pointer variable
related acc_handle_object
routine Use acc_configure(accEnableArgs,"acc_set_scope") to use module_name argument
Version 1.0 2-241

If: acc_set_scope:
you call: sets scope to the level of module_name
acc_configure(accEnableArgs, "acc_set_scope") in the design hierarchy
and
you pass:
module_handle as a null pointer
you call: sets scope to the level of
acc_configure(accEnableArgs, "acc_set_scope") module_handle in the design hierarchy
and
you pass:
a valid module_handle
you call: sets scope to the top-level module that
acc_configure(accEnableArgs, "acc_set_scope") appears first in the source description
and
you pass:
module_handle and module_name as null pointers
you do not call: always ignores module_name and sets
acc_configure(accEnableArgs, "acc_set_scope") scope to the level of module_handle in
the design hierarchy
if module_handle is null, sets scope to
the top-level module that appears first in
the source description
(you may drop the optional argument
module_name)
Table 2-82: How acc_set_scope works
Optional arguments
When the optional argument is required for a particular call to acc_set_scope, you
must set the configuration parameter accEnableArgs by calling
acc_configure as follows:
acc_configure(accEnableArgs, "acc_set_scope");
If accEnableArgs is not set for acc_set_scope, the routine always ignores its
optional argument.
When the optional argument is not required for a particular call to acc_set_scope,
you can drop the argument.
However, when an optional argument precedes one or more required arguments, it must
be supplied even if it is ignored by the access routine. In this case, you can specify the
argument as a null value.
2-242 Version 1.0

There is no relationship between acc_set_scope and $scope

The routine acc_set_scope defines a scope for acc_handle_object only.
Access routines are not affected when you change scope by calling the system task
$scope interactively.
Usage example
The following example shows how a C-language routine, is_net_in_module, uses
acc_set_scope to set a scope for acc_handle_object to determine if a net is
in a module.
is_net_in_module(module_handle,net_name)
char *net_name;
{
handle net_handle;
handle load_handle, load_net_handle;
/*set scope to module*/

acc_set_scope( module_handle );

net_handle = acc_handle_object(net_name);
if (net_handle)
io_printf( "Net %s found in module %s\n",
net_name,
else
io_printf( "Net %s not found in module %s\n",
net_name,
}
Figure 2-107: Setting a scope for acc_handle_object
Version 1.0 2-243

2.15.75
acc_set_value
acc_set_value
function set and propogate a value on a register or a sequential UDP
syntax integer_variable = acc_set_value (object_handle, value_p, delay_p);

object_handle handle handle to a register or sequential UDP
input:
value_p p_setval_value pointer to a structure containing value
to be set
delay_p p_setval_delay pointer to a structure containing delay

before value is set
Description
This routine is used to set and propagate a value on a register or a sequential UDP.
The structure s_setval_value contains the value to be written. A value can be
entered into this structure as a string, scalar, integer, or real. The 'format' field indicates
the value type, while the 'value' union is set to the value to be written. Refer to the
structure definition and associated defined values in file ' acc_user.h' in Appendix
A.
2-244 Version 1.0

For registers, the structure s_setval_delay indicates if and what delay will take
place before a register value assignment. A delay model is indicated with the 'model'
field. The available delay models are specified using predefined integer constants. The
predefined integer constant for delay models are listed in Table 2-83.
Predefined Integer Delay Model Description

Constant
All scheduled events on the

accInertialDelay Inertial delay object are removed before this
event is scheduled.
accTransportDelay Transport delay All events scheduled for times later

than this event are removed.
accPureTransportDelay Pure transport delay No events are removed.
accNoDelay No delay Sets the object to the indicated

value with no delay.
Table 2-83: Delay models
For UDPs, the 'model' field must be accNoDelay, and the new value is assigned with
no delay even if the UDP instance has a delay.
Refer to the file ' acc_user.h' in Appendix A for more information about the
s_setval_delay structure definition and associated defined values.
Example
The following example sets and propagates a value on a register.
int my_set_value()
{
static s_setval_delay delay_s = {{accRealTime},
accInertialDelay};
static s_setval_value value_s = {accBinStrVal};
handle reg = acc_handle_tfarg(1);
value_s.value.str = acc_fetch_tfarg_str(2);
delay_s.time.real = acc_fetch_tfarg(3);
acc_set_value(reg, &value_s, &delay_s);

}
Figure 2-108: Using acc_set_value to set and propagate a value on a register
Version 1.0 2-245

Error conditions and detection

The return value is 0 if OK, nonzero for an error, in which case an error message will
be reported and 'acc_error_flag' is set to true. It is suggested that the error flag be
utilized for error detection.

If a value is to be set with no delay, it is more efficient to set the s_setval_delay
model field to be accNoDelay than to simply set the delay to 0.
For 'tf_xputy' users

This routine can be used in place of the ' tf_put' functions, including
tf_strdelputp. It is more flexible than the ' tf_' routines in that it operates on any
writable object for which a handle is available instead of being limited to objects which
are arguments to a system task. It is limited compared to those routines in that it cannot
currently operate on expressions.
2-246 Version 1.0

2.15.76
acc_vcl_add
acc_vcl_add
tells the Verilog simulator to call a consumer routine with value change information whenever an object
function
changes value
syntax acc_vcl_add(object_handle, consumer_routine, user_data, vcl_flags);

handle handle to an object you want
inputs: object_handle
to monitor (such as a register
or net)
consumer_routine C routine pointer C routine in an application that

the Verilog simulator calls
when the object changes value
user_data user-defined data that the

character pointer
Verilog simulator passes back
to the consumer routine when
the object changes value
vcl_flags flag that selects the type of

integer constant information that the Verilog
simulator reports to the
consumer routine
related acc_vcl_delete
routine
The VCL access routine acc_vcl_add tells the Verilog simulator to report logic
value information or logic value and strength information to a consumer routine.
The acc_vcl_add access routine takes the four arguments that are defined in
Table 2-84.
Version 1.0 2-247

Argument Definition
object_handle The object_handle argument is a handle to the object to
be monitored by an application. You obtain
object_handle by calling PLI access routines.
Please note:
The object_handle passed to
acc_vcl_add is not returned to the
application when the Verilog simulator
reports a value change. Therefore, the
application should use the user_data
argument to save any necessary
information about the object prior to
calling acc_vcl_add. (See the discussion
on user_data below.)
consumer_routine The consumer_routine argument is a pointer to a C

routine. The Verilog simulator calls the routine whenever the
object changes value. This routine processes VCL data. The
Verilog simulator expects the consumer routine to have a
specific calling interface.
user_data The user_data argument is user-defined data (such as

the object name, the last value, and the object_handle
itself) that the Verilog simulator passes back to the
application when the object changes value. This argument is
typically a pointer to a data structure that contains
information about the object.
vcl_flags The vcl_flags argument tells theVerilog simulator the

information to report. There are two kinds of information that
the Verilog simulator reports, logic value or logic value and
strength. The flag constants are defined in acc_user.h as
vcl_verilog_logic and vcl_verilog_strength.
These flags are defined in Table 2-85.
Table 2-84: Arguments to acc_vcl_add
2-248 Version 1.0

vcl_flags What it does
vcl_verilog_logic indicates the application needs logic

value information from the Verilog
simulator
vcl_verilog_strength indicates the application needs logic

value and strength information from the
Verilog simulator
Table 2-85: vcl_flags in acc_vcl_add
Multiple calls to acc_vcl_add

If an application calls acc_vcl_add with the same arguments more than once, the
Verilog simulator calls the consumer routine only once when the object changes value.
Support for multiple applications

If multiple applications monitor the same object at the same time, each application
receives a separate call whenever that object changes value.
Typically, multiple applications have distinct consumer routines and user_data
pointers. These different consumer routines allow the value change information to be
processed in different ways. Therefore, there are separate callbacks to different
applications.
Version 1.0 2-249

2.15.77
acc_vcl_delete
acc_vcl_delete
tells the Verilog simulator to stop calling a consumer routine with value change information when an object
function changes value
syntax acc_vcl_delete(object_handle, consumer_routine, user_data, vcl_flags);

handle handle to an object you
inputs: object_handle
want to monitor (such as a
register or net)
consumer_routine C routine pointer C routine in an application that

the Verilog simulator calls
when the object changes value
user_data user-defined data that the

character pointer
Verilog simulator passes back
to the consumer routine when
the object changes value
vcl_flags flag that tells VCL to pass the

integer constant delete request to the Verilog
simulator
related acc_vcl_add
routine
The VCL access routine acc_vcl_delete tells the Verilog simulator to stop
reporting previously requested information to a consumer routine. The
acc_vcl_delete access routine takes the four arguments that are defined in
Table 2-86.
2-250 Version 1.0

Argument Definition
object_handle The object_handle argument is a handle to the object to
be monitored by an application. You obtain
object_handle by calling PLI access routines.
consumer_routine The consumer_routine argument is a pointer to a C

routine. The Verilog simulator calls the routine whenever the
object changes value. This routine processes VCL data. The
Verilog simulator expects the consumer routine to have a
specific calling interface.
user_data The user_data argument is user-defined data (such as the

object name, the last value, and the object_handle itself)
that the Verilog simulator passes back to the application
when the object changes value. This argument is typically a
pointer to a data structure that contains information about
the object.
vcl_flags The vcl_flags argument is the constant vcl_verilog as

vcl_flags
defined in acc_user.h. This argument indicates that VCL
should pass the delete request to the Verilog simulator. The
constant vcl_verilog_flag is described in Table 2-87.
Table 2-86: Arguments to acc_vcl_delete
vcl_flags what it does
vcl_verilog use this to stop monitoring either logic value

or strength information from the Verilog
simulator
Table 2-87: vcl_flags in acc_vcl_delete
To stop monitoring either logic value or strength information, you select

vcl_verilog .
Multiple calls
When multiple applications are monitoring the same object, acc_vcl_delete stops
monitoring the object only for the application associated with a specific
consumer_routine and user_data pointer.
Version 1.0 2-251

Regardless of the number of calls an application makes to acc_vcl_add for the same
object_handle, user_data, and consumer_routine, only one call to
acc_vcl_delete is required to stop the Verilog simulator from notifying the
consumer routine of value changes.
2-252 Version 1.0

2.15.78
acc_version
acc_version
function returns a pointer to a character string that indicates version number of your access routine software
syntax character_pointer = acc_version();
arguments none
The output string

The routine acc_version produces a character string in the following format:
Access Routines Version VERSION_NUMBER
For example, if you run version 1.6a of access routines, acc_version returns a
pointer to the following string:
"Access Routines Version 1.6a"
Usage example
The following C-language routine, show_versions, uses acc_version to
identify the current version of access routines.
show_versions()
{
acc_initialize();
/* and version of simulator that is linked to access routines*/
acc_close();
}
Figure 2-109: Identifying the current version of access routines
Version 1.0 2-253

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PLI Reference Manual Interface Mechanism
User-Supplied Routines
Figure 3-0
3
Table 3-0
Example 2-0
Interface Mechanism
The interface mechanism works as follows:
The user writes a routine that performs the desired operation, using the routines
described in this manual to get data from the simulation environment and/or send data
back to it. Information about this routine is placed in a table in the file veriuser.c.
This information includes (at a minimum) the name of the user-supplied routine and the
name by which it will be known to Verilog. There is one entry in the table for each task
or function that the user wants to be able to invoke from a Verilog simulator. More than
one task or function can call the same programming language routine, with the
distinction between them made by a data value defined in the table and passed to the
routine automatically by the Verilog simulator.
To invoke the new tasks and functions from the Verilog description, the user references
them just as he would a built-in system task or function, such as $display or $time.
3.1
User-Supplied Routines
As described above, the user provides a routine that will be called when the new task
or function is invoked. This routine is known as the calltf routine.
The user can also provide several other routines, which are described below.
A routine that will be called when the new task or function is encountered during
compilation can be provided; it is optional. This routine will typically check the
correctness of arguments passed from Verilog, but it can also perform other chores.
This routine is known as the checktf routine.
Each routine that will be invoked as a function must have a routine that returns the
width (in bits) of the function return value. This routine is known as the sizetf
routine.
Version 1.0 3-1

Interface Mechanism PLI Reference Manual
Routine Arguments
Another routine, known as the misctf routine, is optional. It is called for a variety of
reasons, and a reason flag is passed to it so it can determine why it was called. The
reasons are listed below, under Routine Arguments, and include input argument value
changes and disable. The availability of this routine makes the interface very powerful,
as it allows the user to set up tasks which are called asynchronously (just like
$monitor), and to disable the activity associated with them.
3.2
Routine Arguments
The user-supplied routines are always passed two arguments: ‘data’ and ‘reason’.
These are passed as the first and second arguments, respectively.
3.2.1
Data
The value that is passed as the ‘data’ argument is obtained from the table; it is defined
by the user when the table is filled in. This value can be used to allow several different
tasks and functions to use the same checktf, calltf, or misctf routines. To do
this, the table entries for the various tasks and functions would contain the same routine
names, but would have a different data value for each task or function.
3.2.2
Reason
The value for the ‘reason’ argument is defined as follows:
reason_checktf - for checktf

reason_sizetf - for sizetf
reason_calltf - for calltf
reason_<xyz> - for misctf, reasons defined in
veriuser.h
3.3
Supplied Files
Two files supplied with the Verilog system are used to link user program modules to
the Verilog system:
• veriuser.c
‘C’ code template and examples
• veriuser.h
‘C’ header file
3-2 Version 1.0

Supplied Files
The data associated with the user-supplied routines is inserted into the external table
‘veriusertfs’ normally declared in veriuser.c. This table is an array having the
structure as defined in the header file veriuser.h and described below. Each task
or function that can be invoked in Verilog source description has an entry in the array.
The file veriuser.h is included by veriuser.c and should not be edited by the
user.
3.3.1
Table of Tasks and Functions
A data type called t_tfcell is defined in veriuser.h. The fields of this structure
define a task or function so that the Verilog system knows about it and can call the right
routines upon invocation.
The file veriuser.c creates an array of t_tfcell structures and calls it
veriusertfs. The fields of this array are filled in by editing the file veriuser.c.
WARNING
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CHANGE THE CONTENTS OF THE DATA
STRUCTURE BY ANY OTHER MEANS!
t_tfcell fields
The meaning of each field is defined below.
type
Defines entry to be a task or function by using the
values of ‘usertask,’ ‘userfunction,’ or
‘userrealfunction’ as defined in veriuser.h.
data
The value given here is passed as the first parameter
to ‘checktf’, ‘sizetf’, ‘calltf’, or ‘misctf’ (defined
below) when each is called. This component can be
useful when several user tasks or functions have just
slightly differing purposes, so that corresponding
routine pointers can point to the same routine
definitions, and the task or function can be
distinguished in the routines by the argument data
value.
checktf
Pointer to the user-supplied routine for checking the
parameters of the task or function statement. This
routine is called once for each task or function
reference in the source description, or in an
interactive command, during the compilation stage. A
value of 0 (null pointer) may be given if no routine is
to be supplied; however, it is recommended that the
parameters be checked for correctness.
sizetf
Pointer to the user-supplied routine that must return
Version 1.0 3-3

A Simple Example
the number of bits of the function return value. For

functions this routine is mandatory, and is ignored for
tasks.
calltf
Pointer to the user-supplied routine that is to be called
from Verilog whenever the task or function is
executed during simulation.
misctf
Pointer to the user-supplied routine that is to be called
from Verilog for various miscellaneous reasons. A
value of 0 (null pointer) may be given if no routine is
to be supplied. See above for complete list of reasons.
tfname
A literal string defining the name of the task or
function. The first character of the name must be the
dollar character ($). The remaining characters may be
letters, digits, the underscore character (_), or the
dollar character. Upper and lower case letters are
considered to be different (unless the upper case
compiler option -u has been used). The names may
be of any size, and all characters are significant. It is
possible to override and change the definition of a
built-in system task or function by simply using the
same name; for example, a user could build a different
random number generator by supplying the name
$random in the table.
forwref
Should be set to 1. If it is set to 0, then module or
primitive instances may not be used as arguments to
the system task or function.
All other components are for system usage and MUST NOT be assigned to.
Any of the routine pointers can be 0, in which case the calls from Verilog are not made.
This means that you need not have a parameter checking routine, for example. In this
case, fill in the corresponding field with the value 0.
3.4
A Simple Example
The following example illustrates how to use the interface. It is the simplest case
possible: only one routine is associated with the task (the calltf routine) and no data
is passed between Verilog and the routine.
3.4.1
User-Supplied Routine
The routine below is written in the C language. When it is called, it prints the string
“hello world” to the terminal. It is simply a C language routine; nothing special has
been done, and no special routines have been called.
3-4 Version 1.0

A Simple Example
hello()
{
printf(" hello world \n");
}
3.4.2
Table Entry
The entire veriuser.c file for the example is provided below. The text associated
with the examples normally provided with the Verilog system has been deleted for
clarity.
/* Filename: veriuser.c */
/* Verilog user tasks example */
hello()
{
printf("hello world \n");
}
/
* Template table for defining user tas
ks and functions.
See file "veriuser.h" for structure definition
*/
s_tfcell veriusertfs[] =
{
{usertask, 0,
0, 0, hello, 0,
"$hello", 0},
/* add extra entries here */
{0} /* this line must always be last */
};
3.4.3
Task Invocation
Invocation of the new task is identical to invocation of any of the built-in system tasks,
such as $stop or $showscopes. When this description is simulated, it will print the
string “hello world”.
module test;
initial $hello;
endmodule
Version 1.0 3-5

A Simple Example
3-6 Version 1.0

PLI Reference Manual Utility Routines
Call Instances
Figure 4-0
4
Table 4-0
Example 3-0
Utility Routines
Interaction between the Verilog system and the user’s routines is handled by a set of
routines that are supplied with the Verilog system. These routines are called in the user-
supplied routines to pass data in both directions across the Verilog/programming
language boundary. The type, arguments, and operation of each routine are detailed
below.
4.1
Call Instances
Most of these routines are in two forms: one dealing with the current call, or “instance,”
and another dealing with an instance other than the current one and referenced by an
instance pointer. The first routine described below gets the instance pointer of the
current instance so that it can be saved for later use. This feature is useful when routines
are related to each other; a typical example is a pair of routines where one is a setup
routine and another is a display routine. This pairing concept has been used extensively
in developing the graphical display mechanisms for Verilog (e.g., $setup_waves,
$display_waves) and it is expected that users will find this very useful. Another
example of the concept is a pair of routines where the first, a setup routine, prints a
header, and the second, a display routine, writes the data. The instance mechanism is
used to associate the list of strings passed to the setup routine with the list of variables
passed to the display routine.
The steps are as follows:
1. In the setup routine, save instance pointer by using the tf_getinstance
routine.
2. In the display routine, use tf_igetcstringp to get the string associated with
each parameter.
3. Use this data just as if it had been passed in to the display routine.
This mechanism eliminates the need to pass the same information to all the routines that
need it—later calls can use the data passed to earlier ones.
Version 1.0 4-1

Utility Routines PLI Reference Manual
64-Bit Integer and Real Number Values
4.2
64-Bit Integer and Real Number Values
Some routines are provided in multiple forms:
• one form to deal with 32-bit parameter values that can be passed in one integer
• a second form to deal with 64-bit values, which must be passed in two integers
• and sometimes a third form to deal with real number values, which must be
passed as double-precision floating-point numbers
The routines that deal with 64-bit integer values are named using the name of the
corresponding 32-bit routine with the word long inserted—for example,
tf_gettime and tf_getlongtime. Similarly, routines that deal with real
number values are named using the name of the corresponding 32-bit routine with the
word real inserted—as in tf_setdelay and tf_setrealdelay.
4.3
Effect of Timescales on Utility Routines
By default, each of the following routines expresses its delay or time in the timescale
unit of the system task or function that calls the utility:
tf_setdelay
tf_isetdelay
tf_setlongdelay
tf_isetlongdelay
tf_strdelputp
tf_istrdelputp
tf_strlongdelputp
tf_istrlongdelputp
tf_strrealdelputp
tf_istrrealdelputp
tf_gettime
tf_getlongtime
tf_getnextlongtime
If, for example, a system task in a module with a timescale of nanoseconds calls
tf_setdelay(10), but the simulator is operating in picoseconds, tf_setdelay
automatically scales the delay by 1000 to 10,000 picoseconds.
4.4
Routine Definitions
This section describes each utility routine.
4-2 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.1
tf_getinstance
Purpose
get current instance pointer
Synopsis
char *tf_getinstance()
This routine returns a pointer that identifies the current instance of the task or function
that is being acted upon by the Verilog simulator. In the following sections, the
argument instance_p will always refer to this instance pointer.
tf_getinstance can be called during any of the reasons, saved by the user, and
used later in other calls to refer to the current instance. Most of the utility routines are
in two forms, one dealing with the current task or function instance, and the other
dealing with information about another instance, where the instance pointer was
obtained during a call to that other task or function. For example, the call
tf_inump(tf_getinstance()) is equivalent to the call tf_nump().
Version 1.0 4-3

Routine Definitions
4.4.2
tf_nump
Purpose
get number of task or function parameters
Synopsis
int tf_nump()
int tf_inump(instance_p)
char *instance_p;
The routine tf_nump returns the number of parameters specified in the task or
function statement in the Verilog source description. The number returned is greater
than or equal to zero. tf_inump will return the number of parameters for a given
instance.
4-4 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.3
tf_typep
Purpose
get parameter type
Synopsis
int tf_typep(nparam)
int nparam;
int tf_itypep(nparam, instance_p)
int nparam;
char *instance_p;
The routine tf_typep is used for determining a given parameter’s type. The value
nparam must be a number specifying the parameter position, with 1 for the first
parameter, 2 for the second, etc. tf_itypep returns a parameter type for a given
instance.
For example, the statement
int itype=tf_typep(3)
examines the third parameter in the argument list, and sets itype to one of the values
shown below, depending on parameter type. If the third argument in the list is an
integer value which cannot be written to, the value tf_readonly is returned. These
return values, shown in the following list, are defined constants.
tf_nullparam
If the parameter is the null expression, i.e., where no
text has been given as the parameter, or if ’ nparam’
is out of range.
tf_string
If the parameter is a literal string.
tf_readonly
If the parameter is a value returning expression that
cannot be written to (i.e., an expression that would be
illegal as a left-hand-side construct in a procedural
assignment).
tf_readwrite
If the parameter is a value returning expression that
can be written to. Writable expressions are the left-
hand-side constructs in procedural assignments.
tf_readonlyreal
Same as tf_readonly except that the specified
parameter is a real value.
tf_readwritereal
Same as tf_readwrite except that the specified
Version 1.0 4-5

Routine Definitions
parameter is a real value.
4-6 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.4
tf_getp/tf_putp
Purpose
get parameter value
put parameter value
Synopsis
int tf_getp(nparam)
int nparam;
int tf_igetp(nparam, instance_p)
int nparam;
char *instance_p;
double tf_getrealp(nparam)
int nparam;
double tf_igetrealp(nparam, instance_p)
int nparam;
char *instance_p;
tf_putp(nparam, value)
int nparam;
int value;
tf_iputp(nparam, value, instance_p)
int nparam;
int value;
char instance_p;
tf_putrealp(nparam, value)
int nparam;
double value;
tf_iputrealp(nparam, value, instance_p)
int nparam;
double value;
char *instance_p;
int tf_getlongp(aof_highvalue, nparam)
int *aof_highvalue;
int nparam;
int tf_igetlongp(aof_highvalue, nparam, instance_p)
int *aof_highvalue;
int nparam;
char *instance_p;
int tf_putlongp(nparam, lowvalue, highvalue)
int nparam;
int lowvalue, highvalue;
int tf_iputlongp(nparam, lowvalue, highvalue, instance_p)
int nparam;
int lowvalue, highvalue;
char *instance_p;
Version 1.0 4-7

Routine Definitions
The routines tf_getp and tf_getrealp return a value of the parameter specified
by nparam. The routines tf_igetp and tf_igetrealp return a parameter value
for a given instance. The difference between the real and ‘non-real’ routines is in the
value returned, as shown by the following example.
Assume that the fourth parameter in the argument list has a value of 9.6 (a real value).
Then,
int ivalue = tf_getp(4)

would set ivalue to 10
double dvalue = tf_getrealp(4)

would set dvalue to 9.6
In the first example, note that the int conversion rounds off the value of 9.6 to 10 (rather
than truncates to 9). In the second example, note that the real value must be declared
as a ‘double’ (not as a ‘float’).
If the parameter is a literal string, then the tf_getp routine returns a pointer to the
‘C’ type string (string terminated by a ‘\0’ character). If nparam is out of range or the
parameter is null, zero is returned.
The routine tf_getrealp cannot handle literal strings. Therefore, before calling
tf_getrealp, make sure the argument is not a literal string by calling tf_typep
to check its type.
The routine tf_putp writes the integer value to the parameter specified by nparam.
Similarly, the routine tf_putrealp writes the real value to the parameter specified
by nparam. The routines tf_iputp and tf_iputrealp write a parameter value
for a given instance. The parameter must be one that can be written. To check if it is,
use the tf_typep routine. You can write back the function return value by making
nparam equal to zero. If nparam is out of range or the parameter cannot be written
to, then nothing happens.
The routines tf_getlongp and tf_putlongp operate on 64-bit integer parameter
values. The tf_getlongp() routine returns both the least significant bits of the
value in the parameter lowvalue and the most significant bits in the parameter
highvalue.
Please note: When using the tf_putp and tf_putrealp routines to
write values to parameters, make sure that the data types of the arguments passed are
consistent with the data types required by the function called. There is no inherent data
type checking in C.
4-8 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
The following examples illustrate what cautions should be taken.

If the second parameter is of type tf_readwritereal, the following ‘put’ routines
are valid:
int i = 5;
tf_putp(2, i);
(Sets the second argument to 5.0)
double d = 5.7;
tf_putrealp(2, d);
(Sets the second argument to 5.7)
The following routines, however, are invalid for the reasons given below:
int i = 5;
tf_putrealp(2, i);
(The statement “int i = 5” passes a 32-bit integer to tf_putrealp(), which is looking
for a 64-bit double. Since there is no data type checking, tf_putreal() reads 32 bits
of undefined data and tries to use it as if it were valid data. No error message is
generated.)
float f = 5;
tf_putrealp(2, f);
(Similar to the example above. The float statement passes a 32-bit float to
tf_putrealp() which is looking for a 64-bit double. No error message is
generated.)
double d = 5.7;
tf_putp(2, d);
(The tf_putp() routine takes only 32-bits of the 64-bit double passed to it by the
statement double d = 5.7.)
Version 1.0 4-9

Routine Definitions
4.4.5
tf_strgetp
Purpose
get formatted parameter values
Synopsis
char *tf_strgetp(nparam, format_char)
int nparam;
char format_char;
char *tf_istrgetp(nparam, format_char, instance_p)
int nparam;
char format_char;
char *instance_p;
The routines tf_strgetp and tf_istrgetp return a pointer to a string which

contains the value of the parameter expression in the format specified by
format_char. For the routine tf_strgetp, nparam specifies the parameter in
the current instance while tf_igetstrp looks at the instance pointed to by
instance_p to locate the parameter specified by nparam.
format_char can be one of:
’b’ or ’B’ for binary

’o’ or ’O’ for octal
’d’ or ’D’ for decimal
’h’ or ’H’ for hexadecimal
The string value returned will have the same form as output from the formatted output
task $display in terms of value lengths and value characters used. The length is of
arbitrary size (i.e. not limited to 32 bits as with the tf_getp routine), and unknown
and high-impedance values can be obtained.
The referenced parameter can be a string, in which case a pointer to the string will be
returned ( format_char is ignored in this case). A 0 pointer is returned for errors.
4-10 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.6
tf_exprinfo / tf_nodeinfo
Purpose
get expression information
get node information
Synopsis
struct t_tfexprinfo *tf_exprinfo(nparam, exprinfo_p)

int nparam;
struct t_tfexprinfo *exprinfo_p;
struct t_tfexprinfo *tf_iexprinfo(nparam, exprinfo_p,
instance_p)
int nparam;
struct t_tfexprinfo *exprinfo_p;
char *instance_p;
struct t_tfnodeinfo *tf_nodeinfo(nparam, nodeinfo_p)
int nparam;
struct t_tfnodeinfo *nodeinfo_p;
struct t_tfnodeinfo *tf_inodeinfo(nparam, nodeinfo_p,
instance_p)
int nparam;
struct t_tfnodeinfo *nodeinfo_p;
char *instance_p;
These routines are for obtaining general information about a parameter indicated by
nparam. tf_exprinfo and tf_iexprinfo give information related to the
parameter expression where the information is stored in the C structure
t_tfexprinfo as defined in the file veriuser.h. tf_nodeinfo and
tf_inodeinfo give information related to a node (relevant only when a parameter
is writable), where the information is stored in the t_tfnodeinfo structure.
For all these routines the user must allocate space to hold the information before
making the call. For example the user could allocate the necessary space in the
following way:
{
s_tfexprinfo info;
tf_exprinfo(n, &info);
...
}
All four routines return the second argument, i.e. the pointer to the information
structure. If nparam is out of range, or some other error is found, then 0 is returned.
Version 1.0 4-11

Routine Definitions
For every parameter there always exists expression information. For parameters that
are writable, node information also exists. Memory and strength manipulations can be
done only through node information. The following defines the components passed in
the expression information.
expr_type
One of the following values as defined in veriuser.h:
tf_nullparam
tf_string
tf_readonly(for ’int’)
tf_readonlyreal(for ’real’)
tf_readwrite(for ’int’)
tf_readwritereal(for ’real’)
tf_rwbitselect(bit-select)
tf_rwpartselect(part-select)
tf_rwmemselect(memory-select)
expr_value_p
If the expression type is not real, expr_value_p is a pointer to an array of
t_vecval structures that gives the resultant value of the expression. See below for
the definition of this structure.
real_value
If the expression type is real ( tf_readonlyreal or tf_readwritereal),
real_value will contain the value.
expr_string
If the expression is of type tf_string, expr_string points to the string.
expr_ngroups
If the expression type is not real, expr_ngroups indicates the number of groups for
the parameter expression value and determines the array size of the expr_value_p
value structure. If the expression type is real, expr_ngroups is zero.
expr_vec_size
If the expression type is not real, expr_vec_size indicates the total number of bits
in the array of expr_value_p value structures. If the expression type is real,
expr_vec_size is zero.
expr_sign
The sign of the expression: zero for unsigned, non-zero for signed.
4-12 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
The following defines the components passed in the node information:
node_type
A node_type is one of the following values as defined in veriuser.h:
tf_null_node - not a writable parameter
tf_reg_node - parameter references a register variable
tf_integer_node - parameter references an integer variable
tf_real_node - parameter references a real variable
tf_time_node - parameter references a time variable
tf_netvector_node - parameter references a vector net
tf_netscalar_node - parameter references a scalar net
tf_memory_node - parameter references a memory
node_value
A node_value is a union of pointers to value structures defining the current value
on the node referenced by the parameter. The union member accessed depends on
node_type. The union members are:
vecval_p - for tf_reg_node, tf_integer_node,tf_time_node,
and tf_netvector_node.
real_value_p - for tf_real_node
strengthval_p - for tf_netscalar_node
memoryval_p - for tf_memory_node
node_symbol
A node_symbol is a string pointer to the parameter’s identifier.
node_ngroups
If the node type is not real, node_ngroups indicates the number of groups for the
parameter nodevalue and is used to determine the array size of the
node_value.vecval_p value structure. If the node type is real, node_ngroups
is zero.
node_vec_size
If the node type is not real, node_vec_size indicates the total number of bits in the
array of node_value.vecval_p structure. If the expression type is real,
node_vec_size is zero.
node_sign
The sign of the node: zero for unsigned, non-zero for signed.
node_mem_size
Number of elements in node_value.memoryval_p structure.
The usual data structure for representing vector values is an array of the following
structure.
If the number of bits in the vector (defined by expr_vec_size or
node_vec_size) is less than or equal to 32, then there is only one group in the
array. For 33 to 64 bits, two groups are in the array, and so on. The number of groups
is also given by the value of expr_ngroups and node_ngroups. The components
Version 1.0 4-13

Routine Definitions
avalbits and bvalbits hold the bit patterns making up the parameter’s value.
The least significant bit in the value is represented by the least significant bits in the
avalbits and bvalbits components, and so on up. The bit coding is as follows:
ab value
00 logic 0
10 logic 1
11 unknown
01 high impedance
For node information only, when node_type is tf_netscalar_node then

node_value.strengthval_p points to a net strength data structure of the
following form:
typedef struct t_strengthval

{
int strength0;
int strength1;
} s_strengthval, *p_strengthval;
Where strength0 gives the 0-strength bit pattern for the value, and strength1
gives the 1-strength bit pattern. See the section on logic strength modeling in the
reference manual for details about these bit patterns.
For node information only, when node_type is tf_memory_node then
node_value.memoryval_p points to a structure giving the total contents of the
memory. The structure is organized as follows
struct
{
char avalbits[node_ngroups];
char bvalbits[node_ngroups];
} memval[node_mem_size];
Note that this data structure cannot be represented in C, thus

node_value.memoryval_p is declared as a pointer to a char. The memory
element addressed by the left-hand-side index given in the memory declaration is
located in the first group of bytes, i.e. the byte groups represented by memval[0].
4-14 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.7
tf_asynchon / tf_asynchoff
Purpose
enable asynchronous calling
disable asynchronous calling
Synopsis
tf_asyncon()
tf_iasynchon(instance_p)
char *instance_p;
tf_asynchoff()
tf_iasynchoff(instance_p)
char *instance_p;
These routines enable a user routine to be called asynchronously whenever a parameter

value changes. The routines tf_asynchon and tf_iasynchon enable this
feature. After enabling, the routine specified by misctf in the veriusertfs table is
called with a reason of reason_paramvc each time a parameter changes value. The
parameter index number of the parameter that changed value is passed to the misctf
routine as the third parameter.
The routines tf_asynchoff and tf_iasynchoff disable further calling of the
misctf routine for reason paramvc.
Any number of enables and disables can be made during simulation.
Version 1.0 4-15

Routine Definitions
4.4.8
tf_synchronize
Purpose
synchronize to end of simulation time unit
Synopsis
tf_synchronize()
tf_isynchronize(instance_p)
char *instance_p;
The routines tf_synchronize and tf_isynchronize allow the processing of

parameters to be delayed until the end of the current simulation time slot. This is useful
when the user wants to synchronize all parameter value changes and process them after
all that will change at a particular simulation time have changed.
The routine specified by misctf in the veriusertfs table is called with a reason of
reason_synch at the end of the current simulation time slot if tf_synchronize
or tf_isynchronize is called during the current time.
It does not matter if these routines are called more than once at a particular time slot.
Multiple calls at a time slot will result in only one activation of the misctf routine at
the end of the time slot. They must be called at each time slot in which synchronization
is desired.
4-16 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.9
tf_rosynchronize
Purpose
synchronize to end of simulation time slot
Synopsis
tf_rosynchronize()
tf_irosynchronize(instance_p)
char *instance_p;
These routines allow certain processing to be delayed until the end of the current
simulation time. The routine specified by misctf in the veriusertfs table is called with
a reason of reason_rosynch at the end of the current simulation time.
These routines are very similar to the tf_synchronize and tf_isynchronize
calls. The difference is that these calls guarantee that no new events at the current
simulation time will be created after processing routines called due to reason
reason_rosynch. Consequently, it is not possible to write output values or
generate new events during the misctf call with reason reason_rosynch. This
means that calls to routines such as tf_strdelputp and tf_setdelay are illegal
during processing of the misctf routine with reason reason_rosynch.
Please note: It is essential that these routines be used instead of the
tf_synchronize and tf_isynchronize calls when the
tf_getnextlongtime routine is being used.
Version 1.0 4-17

Routine Definitions
4.4.10
tf_gettime
Purpose
get current simulation time
Synopsis
int tf_gettime()
int tf_getlongtime(aof_hightime)
int *aof_hightime;
The routine tf_gettime returns the current simulation time as an integer.

The routine tf_getlongtime returns double simulation time. The high 32 bits of
simulation time is assigned to the aof_hightime argument, and the low 32 bits of
time is returned.
Each routine expresses its time in the timescale unit of the system task or function that
calls the utility (see Section 4.3).
4-18 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.11
tf_strgettime
Purpose
get current simulation time as a string
Synopsis
char *tf_strgettime()
Returns a pointer to a string which is the ASCII representation of the current simulation
time.
Version 1.0 4-19

Routine Definitions
4.4.12
tf_gettimeunit
Purpose
get the timescale units of a module
Synopsis
int tf_gettimeunit()
int tf_igettimeunit(instance_p)
char *instance_p;
The routines tf_gettimeunit and tf_igettimeunit fetch the timescale units

specified for the module containing the current system task call or the call referenced
by the instance pointer. Each routine returns an integer code representing the unit of
time, as shown in Table 4-1.
Please note: If instance_p is null, these routines return the smallest time
precision specified in the design, which is equivalent to the simulation time unit.
Integer Code Unit of Time

2 100 s
1 10 s
0 1 s
-1 100 ms
-2 10 ms
-3 1 ms
-4 100 us
-5 10 us
-6 1 us
-7 100 ns
-8 10 ns
-9 1 ns
-10 100 ps
-11 10 ps
-12 1 ps
-13 100 fs
-14 10 fs
-15 1 fs
Table 4-1: Integer codes that represent units of time or precision
4-20 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.13
tf_gettimeprecision
Purpose
get the timescale precision of a module
Synopsis
int tf_gettimeprecision()
int tf_igettimeprecision(instance_p)
char *instance_p;
The routines tf_gettimeprecision and tf_igettimeprecision fetch the

timescale precision for the module that contains the current system task call or the call
referenced by the instance pointer. Each routine returns an integer code representing
the time precision, as shown in Table 4-1.
Please note: If instance_p is null, these routines return the smallest time
precision specified in the design, which is equivalent to the simulation time unit.
Version 1.0 4-21

Routine Definitions
4.4.14
io_printf
Purpose
formatted print to standard output and log file
Synopsis
io_printf(format, arg1, ...)
char *format;
The routine io_printf places output to the standard output stream and to log file
output. It works in the same way as the standard C routine printf, except that a
maximum of 12 arguments are allowed.
4-22 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.15
tf_error
Purpose
report error
Synopsis
tf_error(format, arg1, ...)
tf_error provides an error reporting mechanism compatible with the Verilog

compiler. The arguments work in the same way as with the io_printf routine,
except that a maximum of five arguments are allowed. Statement location information
(file name and line number of source statement) is appended to the message.
If tf_error is called during the checking of parameters, then Verilog will either
abort compilation, or, if the user task was called on the interactive command line, the
command will be abandoned.
Version 1.0 4-23

Routine Definitions
4.4.16
tf_warning
Purpose
report warning
Synopsis
tf_warning(format, arg1, ...)
tf_warning gives a warning message compatible with the Verilog compiler. The
arguments work in the same way as with the io_printf routine, except that a
maximum of five arguments are allowed. Statement location information (file name and
line number of source statement) and the text “warning!” are appended to the message.
4-24 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.17
tf_message
Purpose
report error
Synopsis
tf_message(level, facility, code, message,
arg1,...arg5)
The tf_message utility routine allows an application to tell the Verilog simulator
to display error message information. This utility routine contains the following
required message string arguments: level, facility, code, and message.
The level field gives the class of information. There are five classes: ERR_ERROR,
ERR_MESSAGE, ERR_INTERNAL, ERR_SYSTEM, and ERR_WARNING.
Facility and code are string arguments that you specify. These string arguments
are printed in the Verilog simulator message syntax and should be kept to 6-10
characters in length. Message is the PLI message you want to display.
Your application can use up to a maximum of five variable arguments. These variable
arguments display information such as the variable name, file name, or operating
system name to the software tool that issues the message. There is no limit to the length
of the variable argument.
Whenever possible, the Verilog simulator displays the file name and line number of the
statement that triggers the error along with the statement itself before it displays the
information contained in these arguments.
If your application calls tf_message during an execution of the checktf routine
with the level set to ERR_ERROR, ERR_SYSTEM, or ERR_INTERNAL, the Verilog
simulator stops compiling your source description.
If you interactively enter a user-defined system task that invokes this routine with the
level set to ERR_ERROR, ERR_SYSTEM, or ERR_INTERNAL, the Verilog simulator
terminates that system task.
You do not need to include formatting characters such as \n, \t, \b, \f, or \r when
creating a message. The error handling unit automatically formats each message.
An example of tf_message follows in Section 4.4.18, tf_text.
Version 1.0 4-25

Routine Definitions
4.4.18
tf_text
Purpose
stores error information
Synopsis
tf_text(message, arg1,...arg5)
The tf_text utility routine stores information about an error in a buffer. It allows
your application to store information about an error before it calls the tf_message
utility routine. Your application can call tf_text any number of times before it calls
tf_message .
When your application calls tf_message , the Verilog simulator displays the
information stored by tf_text before it displays the information in an application’s
call to tf_message . Each call to tf_message clears the buffer where
tf_text stores its information.
Your application can use a single message string argument and up to a maximum of five
variable arguments to store error information. These arguments can be any kind of
information you want to display in your message, such as the variable name, file name,
or operating system name. An example of this is argnum in Example 4-1. There is no
limit to the length of a message argument.
tf_text (“Argument number %d”, argnum);

tf_message (ERR_ERROR, "User", "TFARG",
“ is illegal in task %s", task_name);
Example 4-1: An example of tf_test and tf_message in an application
The error message created by the code in Example 4-1 is shown in Example 4-2.
Error! Argument number 2 is illegal in task [User-TFARG]

$usertask
Example 4-2: The printed message for the example in Example 4-1
4-26 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.19
tf_dostop
Purpose
enable interactive mode
Synopsis
tf_dostop()
The routine tf_dostop stops the simulation and puts the Verilog simulator into the
interactive mode exactly as if a $stop was encountered in a Verilog source
description.
Version 1.0 4-27

Routine Definitions
4.4.20
tf_dofinish
Purpose
finish simulation
Synopsis
tf_dofinish()
The routine tf_dofinish finishes the simulation exactly as if a $finish was

encountered in a Verilog source description.
4-28 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.21
tf_getcstringp
Purpose
get parameter value as a pointer to a C language string
Synopsis
char *tf_getcstringp(nparam)
int nparam;
char *tf_igetcstringp(nparam, instance_p)

int nparam;
char *instance_p;
Returns a pointer to a C language string. Returns null if the argument identified by

nparam is null or if nparam is out of range. If the argument identified by nparam
is a literal string, a variable, or an expression, then tf_getcstringp will convert
its value to a C language ASCII string by: eliminating leading zeros, converting each
group of eight bits to an ASCII character, and adding a null character to the end.
Version 1.0 4-29

Routine Definitions
4.4.22
tf_setdelay
Purpose
activate the misctf routine for the user task at a particular simulation time
Synopsis
int tf_setdelay(delay)
int delay;
int tf_isetdelay(delay, instance_p)

int delay;
char *instance_p;
int tf_setlongdelay(lowdelay, highdelay)

int lowdelay, highdelay;
int tf_isetlongdelay(lowdelay, highdelay,

instance_p)
char *instance_p;
int tf_setrealdelay(realdelay)
double realdelay;
int tf_isetrealdelay(realdelay, instance_p)

double realdelay;
char *instance_p;
Causes the misctf routine to be called at a future simulation time by setting a

“reactivation” time. The misctf routine is called at the reactivation time, with a
reason of reason_reactivate. Single-precision integer, double-precision
integer, and double-precision floating-point forms are available. Delay must be greater
than or equal to 0. The reactivation time is the current simulation time plus the delay
specified. Each delay assumes the timescale units specified for the module containing
the current system task call or the call referenced by the instance pointer (see
Section 4.3). Each routine can be called several times with different delays, and several
reactivations will be scheduled.
Returns 0 if an error is detected, 1 if not.
4-30 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.23
tf_clearalldelays
Purpose
clear all scheduled reactivations
Synopsis
tf_clearalldelays()
tf_iclearalldelays(instance_p)
char *instance_p;
Clear all reactivation delays. Remove the effect of all previous tf_setdelay calls
for the given instance.
Version 1.0 4-31

Routine Definitions
4.4.24
tf_strdelputp
Purpose
write value to parameter from string value specification
Synopsis
int tf_strdelputp(nparam, bitlength, format_char, value_p,
delay, delaytype)
int nparam;
int bitlength;
int format_char;
char *value_p;
int delay;
int delaytype;
int tf_istrdelputp(nparam, bitlength, format_char,

value_p, delay, delaytype, instance_p)
int nparam;
int bitlength;
int format_char;
char *value_p;
int delay;
int delaytype;
char *instance_p;
int tf_strlongdelputp(nparam, bitlength, format_char,

value_p, lowdelay, highdelay, delaytype)
int nparam;
int bitlength;
int format_char;
char *value_p;
int delaytype;
int tf_istrlongdelputp(nparam, bitlength, format_char,

value_p, lowdelay, highdelay, delaytype, instance_p)
int nparam;
int bitlength;
int format_char;
char *value_p;
int delaytype;
char *instance_p;
4-32 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
int tf_strrealdelputp(nparam, bitlength, format_char,

value_p, realdelay, delaytype)
int nparam;
int bitlength;
int format_char;
char *value_p;
double realdelay;
int delaytype;
int tf_istrrealdelputp(nparam, bitlength, format_char,

value_p, realdelay, delaytype, instance_p)
int nparam;
int bitlength;
int format_char;
char *value_p;
double realdelay;
int delaytype;
char *instance_p;
Write a string value to the specified parameter with delay. Schedules an event on the
parameter in the Verilog model at a future simulation time. Both single and double
integer and real forms are available. The parameter bitlength defines the value size
in bits. Format_char defines the format of the value specified by value_p and
must be one of:
’b’, ’B’, ’o’, ’O’, ’d’, ’D’, ’h’, ’H’.
Delay must be greater than or equal to 0. The delaytype parameter is one of:
0 - for inertial delay

1 - for transport delay
2 - for pure transport delay
Inertial delays cause all scheduled events on the output parameter in the Verilog model
to be removed before scheduling a new event. Transport delays cause removal of events
that are scheduled for times later than the new event. Pure transport delays do not cause
any events to be removed before the new event is scheduled. Caution should be used
when using pure delays because the last event to be scheduled is not necessarily the last
one to occur.
Each delay assumes the timescale units specified for the module containing the current
system task call or the call referenced by the instance pointer (see Section 4.3).
Returns 0 if an error is detected, 1 if not.
Version 1.0 4-33

Routine Definitions
4.4.25
tf_scale_longdelay / tf_scale_realdelay
Purpose
convert a long integer delay or double-precision floating-point delay to
internal simulation time units
Synopsis
void tf_scale_longdelay(instance_p, delay_lo,
delay_hi, aof_delay_lo, aof_delay_hi)
char *instance_p;
int delay_lo;
int delay_hi;
int *aof_delay_lo;
int *aof_delay_hi;
void tf_scale_realdelay(instance_p, realdelay,

aof_realdelay)
char *instance_p;
double realdelay;
double *aof_realdelay;
These two routines convert a long integer delay or a double-precision floating-point

delay into internal simulation time units. The delay parameters assume the timescale
units of the module that contains the system task or function referenced by the instance
pointer. The parameters begining with aof contain the address of the converted delay
returned by the routine; that is, integer parameters should be passed to this routine
using ‘&’.
4-34 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.26
tf_unscale_longdelay / tf_unscale_realdelay
Purpose
convert a delay expressed in internal simulation time units to the timescale of
a particular module
Synopsis
void tf_unscale_longdelay(instance_p, delay_lo,
delay_hi, aof_delay_lo, aof_delay_hi)
char *instance_p;
int delay_lo;
int delay_hi;
int *aof_delay_lo;
int *aof_delay_hi;
void tf_unscale_realdelay(instance_p, realdelay,

aof_realdelay)
char *instance_p;
double realdelay;
double *aof_realdelay;
These two routines take a long integer delay or a double-precision floating-point delay
expressed in internal simulation time units and convert it into the timescale units of the
module that contains the system task or function referenced by the instance pointer. The
parameters beginning with aof contain the address of the converted delay returned by
the routine; that is, integer parameters should be passed to this routine using ‘&’.
Version 1.0 4-35

Routine Definitions
4.4.27
Parameter Value Change Flags
Parameter Value Change (pvc) flags are used to indicate whether a particular parameter
has changed value. Each parameter has two pvc flags: an old pvc flag which is set by
Verilog when the change occurs, and a saved pvc flag which is controlled by the user.
Typical usage of these flags is for the user to move the old flags to the saved flags by
the call tf_movepvc_flag(-1), before anything else is done. The saved flags are
then available for later use.
Routines that use the pvc flags are:
tf_copypvc_flag(), tf_icopypvc_flag()
tf_movepvc_flag(), tf_imovepvc_flag()
tf_testpvc_flag(), tf_itestpvc_flag()
tf_getpchange(), tf_igetpchange()
Please note: pvc flags will not be set until tf_asynchon is called.
4-36 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.28
tf_copypvc_flag
Purpose
copy parameter value change flag
Synopsis
int tf_copypvc_flag(nparam)
int nparam;
int tf_icopypvc_flag(nparam, instance_p)

int nparam;
char *instance_p;
Copy pvc flag to saved flag. Returns flag that was copied. If nparam is -1, then all
parameters are copied and the logical OR of all saved flags is returned.
Version 1.0 4-37

Routine Definitions
4.4.29
tf_movepvc_flag
Purpose
move parameter value change flag
Synopsis
int tf_movepvc_flag(nparam)
int nparam;
int tf_imovepvc_flag(nparam, instance_p)

int nparam;
char *instance_p;
Moves pvc flag to saved flag and clears old flag. Returns flag that was moved. If
nparam is -1, then all parameters are moved and the logical OR of all moved flags is
returned.
4-38 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.30
tf_testpvc_flag
Purpose
test parameter value change flag
Synopsis
int tf_testpvc_flag(nparam)
int nparam;
int tf_itestpvc_flag(nparam, instance_p)

int nparam;
char *instance_p;
Returns saved pvc flag for a given instance. If nparam is -1, then all parameters are
tested and the logical OR of all saved flags is returned.
Version 1.0 4-39

Routine Definitions
4.4.31
tf_getpchange
Purpose
get number of parameter that changed value
Synopsis
int tf_getpchange(nparam)
int nparam;
int tf_igetpchange(nparam, instance_p)

int nparam;
char *instance_p;
Gets the number of the next parameter, with number greater than nparam, that
changed value. The nparam argument must be 0 the first time this routine is called
within a given user routine invocation. Returns the parameter number if there is a
change in a parameter with a number greater than nparam. Returns 0 if there are no
changes in parameters greater than nparam or if an error is detected. This routine uses
the saved pvc flags, so it is necessary to execute tf_movepvc_flag(-1) first.
4-40 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.32
Work Areas
Work areas allow storage of data associated with specific instances of user task
invocations. Routines are provided to store and retrieve pointers. These pointers should
point to the data structures which represent data associated with the user task. It is up
to the user to allocate the memory required and save the pointers from one invocation
to the next.
Version 1.0 4-41

Routine Definitions
4.4.33
tf_setworkarea
Purpose
store work area pointer
Synopsis
void tf_setworkarea(workarea)
char *workarea;
void tf_isetworkarea(workarea, instance_p)

char *workarea;
char *instance_p;
Store a given work area pointer into cell. The parameter workarea_p is any memory
pointer.
4-42 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.34
tf_getworkarea
Purpose
get work area pointer
Synopsis
char *tf_getworkarea()
char *tf_igetworkarea(instance_p)
char *instance_p;
Get the stored work area pointer.
Version 1.0 4-43

Routine Definitions
4.4.35
tf_setroutine
Purpose
store routine pointer
Synopsis
tf_setroutine(routine)
char (*routine)();
tf_isetroutine(routine, instance_p)
char (*routine)();
char *instance_p;
Store a given routine pointer into cell.
4-44 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.36
tf_getroutine
Purpose
get routine pointer
Synopsis
char *tf_getroutine()
char *tf_igetroutine(instance_p)
char *instance_p;
Get the routine pointer stored using tf_setroutine.
Version 1.0 4-45

Routine Definitions
4.4.37
tf_settflist
Purpose
store user task/function instance pointer
Synopsis
tf_settflist(tflist)
char *tflist;
tf_isettflist(other_instance_p, instance_p)
char *other_instance_p;
char *instance_p;
Store a given task or function instance pointer into cell.
4-46 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.38
tf_gettflist
Purpose
get user task/function instance pointer
Synopsis
char *tf_gettflist()
char *tf_igettflist(instance_p)
char *instance_p;
Get a task or function instance pointer that was stored using tf_settflist.
Version 1.0 4-47

Routine Definitions
4.4.39
tf_mipname
Purpose
get module instance path name as a string
Synopsis
char *tf_mipname()
char *tf_imipname(instance_p)
char *instance_p;
Gets a module instance path name. Returns a string that is the Verilog-HDL
hierarchical path name to the module containing the call to the user task or function.
Please note: If this string is needed across multiple calls to the user task, the
string value should be stored or tf_mipname should be called in each invocation.
4-48 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.40
tf_ispname
Purpose
get scope path name as a string
Synopsis
char *tf_spname()
char *tf_ispname(instance_p)
char *instance_p;
Gets a scope path name. Returns a string which is the Verilog-HDL hierarchical path
name to the scope containing the call to the user task or function.
Version 1.0 4-49

Routine Definitions
4.4.41
tf_sizep
Purpose
get bit length of a parameter
Synopsis
int tf_sizep(nparam)
int nparam;
int tf_isizep(nparam, instance_p)

int nparam;
char *instance_p;
If the parameter is not real, tf_sizep (or tf_isizep) returns the value size of the
parameter. The return value is an integer which indicates the length of the parameter
value in bits.
If the parameter is a literal string, tf_sizep returns the string length.
If the parameter is real or if an error is detected, tf_sizep (or tf_isizep) returns
a zero.
4-50 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.42
io_mcdprintf
Purpose
write to multiple-channel descriptor files
Synopsis
io_mcdprintf(multi_chann_desc, format, arg1, ...)
int multi_chann_desc;
char *format;
Similar to io_printf but writes to the files opened using $fopen. The files must
have been previously opened from a Verilog description. The parameter
multi_chann_desc is an integer with the same meaning as the multi-channel
descriptor used with $fdisplay and related system tasks.
Version 1.0 4-51

Routine Definitions
4.4.43
mc_scan_plusargs
Purpose
scan command line plus (+) options
Synopsis
char *mc_scan_plusargs(startarg)
char *startarg;
Scans all command arguments and matches given string to a plus argument. Returns
null if startarg is not found. If startarg is found, then returns remaining part of
command argument (e.g., if the argument string is “ +siz64”, and startarg is
“ siz”, then “ 64” is returned). If there is no remaining part of a found plus argument,
then a pointer to the C string null terminator is returned. The match is case sensitive.
4-52 Version 1.0

Routine Definitions
4.4.44
tf_getnextlongtime
Purpose
get next time at which a simulation event is scheduled
Synopsis
int tf_getnextlongtime(aof_lowtime, aof_hightime)
int *aof_lowtime, *aof_hightime;
Assigns the double time of the next simulation event to aof_lowtime and
aof_hightime. If not called in read-only synchronize mode ( misctf call with
reason_rosynch), then the current time is always assigned. The time is expressed
in the timescale units of the system task or function that calls the utility (see
Section 4.3).
The routine returns one of the following:
0 for ok
1 for no more future events to execute - assigning 0 time.
2 for not in read-only synchronize mode - assigning current time.
Please note: case 2 overrides both case 0 and 1.
Version 1.0 4-53

Routine Definitions
4-54 Version 1.0

PLI Reference Manual Appendix A
Appendix A
The Contents of acc_user.h
/*** File acc_user.c ***/
/*** This file is to be included in files which call access routines ***/
#define ACCUSERH 1
/**********************************************************************/
/*** General constant definitions ***/
#ifndef ACCH
typedef int *HANDLE;

typedef int *handle;
#define bool int

#define true 1
#define TRUE 1
#define false 0
#define FALSE 0
#define global extern

#define exfunc
#define local static
#define null 0L
extern bool acc_error_flag;
#endif
/**********************************************************************/
/*** Type and configuration constant definitions ***/
#define accModule 20
#define accScope 21
#define accNet 25
#define accReg 30
#define accRegister 30
#define accPort 35
#define accTerminal 45
#define accInputTerminal 46
#define accOutputTerminal 47
#define accInoutTerminal 48
#define accCombPrim 140
#define accSeqPrim 142
Version 1.0 Appendix-1

Appendix A PLI Reference Manual
#define accAndGate 144

#define accNandGate 146
#define accNorGate 148
#define accOrGate 150
#define accXorGate 152
#define accXnorGate 154
#define accBufGate 156
#define accNotGate 158
#define accBufif0Gate 160
#define accBufif1Gate 162
#define accNotif0Gate 164
#define accNotif1Gate 166
#define accNmosGate 168
#define accPmosGate 170
#define accCmosGate 172
#define accRnmosGate 174
#define accRpmosGate 176
#define accRcmosGate 178
#define accRtranGate 180
#define accRtranif0Gate 182
#define accRtranif1Gate 184
#define accTranGate 186
#define accTranif0Gate 188
#define accTranif1Gate 190
#define accPullupGate 192
#define accPulldownGate 194
#define accIntegerParam 200
#define accIntParam 200
#define accRealParam 202
#define accStringParam 204
#define accPath 206
#define accTchk 208
#define accPrimitive 210
#define accBit 212
#define accPortBit 214
#define accNetBit 216
#define accRegBit 218
#define accParameter 220
#define accSpecparam 222
#define accTopModule 224
#define accModuleInstance 226
#define accCellInstance 228
#define accModPath 230
#define accPrimPath 232
#define accWirePath 234
#define accModNetPath 236 /*alias for accInterModPath*/
#define accInterModPath 236
#define accTermPath 238
#define accModTermPath 240
#define accTermModPath 242
#define accScalarPort 250
Appendix-2 Version 1.0

#define accBitSelectPort 252

#define accPartSelectPort 254
#define accVectorPort 256
#define accConcatPort 258
#define accWire 260
#define accWand 261
#define accWor 262
#define accTri 263
#define accTriand 264
#define accTrior 265
#define accTri0 266
#define accTri1 267
#define accTrireg 268
#define accSupply0 269
#define accSupply1 270
#define accNamedEvent 280
#define accEventVar 280
#define accIntegerVar 281
#define accIntVar 281
#define accRealVar 282
#define accTimeVar 283
#define accScalar 300
#define accVector 302
#define accCollapsedNet 304
#define accExpandedVector 306
#define accProtected 308
#define accVlogSimPath 310
#define accExpandedPath 312
#define accSwXlInvisibleNet 314
#define accAcceleratedNet 316
#define accSetup 366
#define accHold 367
#define accWidth 368
#define accPeriod 369
#define accRecovery 370
#define accSkew 371
#define accNochange 376
#define accNoChange 376
#define accSetuphold 377
#define accInput 402
#define accOutput 404
#define accInout 406
#define accPositive 408
#define accNegative 410
#define accUnknown 412
#define accPathTerminal 420
#define accPathInput 422
#define accPathOutput 424
#define accDataPath 426
#define accTchkTerminal 428
#define accBitSelect 500

#define accPartSelect 502

#define accTask 504
#define accFunction 506
#define accStatement 508
#define accTaskCall 510
#define accFunctionCall 512
#define accSystemTask 514
#define accSystemFunction 516
#define accSystemRealFunction 518
#define accUserTask 520
#define accUserFunction 522
#define accUserRealFunction 524
#define accAssignmentStat 526
#define accContAssignStat 527
#define accNullStat 528
#define accDelayStat 530
#define accAssignDelayStat 532
#define accRtlDelayStat 534
#define accAssignEventStat 536
#define accAssignMultiStat 537
#define accRtlEventStat 538
#define accRtlMultiStat 539
#define accGenEventStat 540
#define accDisableStat 542
#define accAssignStat 544
#define accDeassignStat 546
#define accForceStat 548
#define accReleaseStat 550
#define accInitialStat 552
#define accAlwaysStat 554
#define accAtEventStat 556
#define accUnnamedBeginStat 558
#define accNamedBeginStat 560
#define accUnnamedForkStat 562
#define accNamedForkStat 564
#define accIfStat 566
#define accCaseStat 568
#define accCaseZStat 570
#define accCaseXStat 572
#define accForeverStat 574
#define accRepeatStat 576
#define accWhileStat 578
#define accForStat 580
#define accWaitStat 582
#define accConstant 600
#define accConcat 610
#define accOperator 620
/* acc_configure() parameters */
#define accPathDelayCount 1
#define accPathDelimStr 2

#define accDisplayErrors 3
#define accDefaultAttr0 4
#define accToHiZDelay 5
#define accEnableArgs 6
#define accSpecitemScope 7
#define accDisplayWarnings 8
#define accWarnNestedLoconn 9
#define accWarnNestedHiconn 10
#define accDevelopmentVersion 11
#define accMinMultiplier 12
#define accTypMultiplier 13
#define accMaxMultiplier 14
#define accAttrDelimStr 15
#define accDelayCount 16
#define accMapToMipd 17
#define accDelayArrays 18
#define accMinTypMaxDelays 19
#define accUserErrorString 20
/* Edge information used by acc_handle_tchk, etc. */

#define accNoedge 0
#define accNoEdge 0
#define accEdge01 1
#define accEdge10 2
#define accEdge0x 4
#define accEdgex1 8
#define accEdge1x 16
#define accEdgex0 32
#define accPosedge 13 /* accEdge01 & accEdge0x & accEdgex1 */
#define accPosEdge 13 /* accEdge01 & accEdge0x & accEdgex1 */
#define accNegedge 50 /* accEdge10 & accEdge1x & accEdgex0 */
#define accNegEdge 50 /* accEdge10 & accEdge1x & accEdgex0 */
/* Product types */
#define accVerilog 1
/* Version defines */
#define accVersion15Beta 1
#define accVersion15a 2
#define accVersion15b 3
#define accVersion15b1 4
#define accVersion15b2Beta 5
#define accVersion15cBeta 12
#define accVersion15c 16
#define accVersion15c03 20

#define accVersion16Beta 36
#define accVersion16Beta2 37
#define accVersion16 40
#define accVersion161 41
#define accVersion16aBeta 42
#define accVersion16a 44
#define accVersion16b 48
#define accVersionLatest accVersion16aBeta
/* Delay modes */
#define accDelayModeNone 0
#define accDelayModePath 1
#define accDelayModeDistrib 2
#define accDelayModeUnit 3
#define accDelayModeZero 4
/*****************************
** typedefs for time structure*/
typedef struct t_acc_time {

int type; /* one of accTime accSimTime accRealTime */
int low, high; /* for accTime and accSimTime */
double real; /* for accRealTime */
} s_acc_time, *p_acc_time;
/* t_acc_time types */
#define accTime 1 /* timescaled time */
#define accSimTime 2 /* internal simulation time */
#define accRealTime 3 /* timescaled real time */
/******************************************
** typedefs and defines for acc_set_value()*/
typedef struct t_setval_delay {

s_acc_time time;
int model;
/* accNoDelay */
/* accInertialDelay */
/* accTransportDelay */
/* accPureTransportDelay */
} s_setval_delay, *p_setval_delay;
/* t_setval_delay types */
#define accNoDelay 0

#define accInertialDelay 1
#define accTransportDelay 2
#define accPureTransportDelay 3
typedef struct t_setval_value {

int format; /* acc[[Bin,Oct,Dec,Hex]Str,Scalar,Int,Real]Val */
union {
char *str;
int scalar; /* acc[0,1,X,Z] */
int integer;
double real;
} value;
} s_setval_value, *p_setval_value,
s_acc_value, *p_acc_value;
/* t_setval_value fromats */
#define accBinStrVal 1
#define accOctStrVal 2
#define accDecStrVal 3
#define accHexStrVal 4
#define accScalarVal 5
#define accIntVal 6
#define accRealVal 7
#define accStringVal 8
#define accCompactVal 9
/* scalar values */
#define acc0 0
#define acc1 1
#define accX 2
#define accZ 3
/**********************************************************************/
/*
* includes for Value Change Link
*/
#define logic_value_change 1
#define strength_value_change 2
#define real_value_change 3
#define vector_value_change 4
#define event_value_change 5
#define integer_value_change 6
#define time_value_change 7
#define sregister_value_change 8
#define vregister_value_change 9
#define realtime_value_change 10
#define compact_value_change 11

typedef void (*consumer_function) ();
/* structure that stores strengths */

typedef struct t_strengths {
unsigned char logic_value;
unsigned char strength1;
unsigned char strength2;
} s_strengths, *p_strengths;
typedef struct t_vc_record{

int vc_reason;
int vc_hightime;
int vc_lowtime;
char *user_data;
union {
unsigned char logic_value;
double real_value;
handle vector_handle;
s_strengths strengths_s;
} out_value;
} s_vc_record, *p_vc_record;
/* logic values */
#define vcl0 acc0
#define vcl1 acc1
#define vclX accX
#define vclZ accZ
/* VCL strength values */

#define vclSupply 7
#define vclStrong 6
#define vclPull 5
#define vclLarge 4
#define vclWeak 3
#define vclMedium 2
#define vclSmall 1
#define vclHighZ 0
/* vcl bit flag definitions */

#define vcl_strength_flag 1
#define vcl_verilog_flag 2
#define vcl_compact_flag 8
/* flags used with acc_vcl_add */

#define vcl_verilog_logic (vcl_verilog_flag)
#define VCL_VERILOG_LOGIC (vcl_verilog_flag)
#define vcl_verilog_strength (vcl_verilog_flag + vcl_strength_flag)

#define VCL_VERILOG_STRENGTH (vcl_verilog_flag + vcl_strength_flag)
/* flags used with acc_vcl_delete */

#define vcl_verilog (vcl_verilog_flag)
#define VCL_VERILOG (vcl_verilog_flag)
/* test whether strength information is requested for vcl */

#define vcl_setstr_m(flags_) ( flags_ |= vcl_strength_flag )
#define vcl_clearstr_m(flags_) ( flags_ &= ~vcl_strength_flag )
#define vcl_isstr_m(flags_) ( flags_ & vcl_strength_flag )
/* test whether Verilog information is requested for vcl */

#define vcl_setvl_m(flags_) ( flags_ |= vcl_verilog_flag )
#define vcl_clearvl_m(flags_) ( flags_ &= ~vcl_verilog_flag )
#define vcl_isvl_m(flags_) ( flags_ & vcl_verilog_flag )
/* test whether vcl trigger is compact or normal */

#define vcl_setcompact_m(flags_) ( flags_ |= vcl_compact_flag )
#define vcl_clearcompact_m(flags_) ( flags_ &= ~vcl_compact_flag )
#define vcl_iscompact_m(flags_) ( flags_ & vcl_compact_flag )
/**********************************************************************/
/*** includes for the location structure ***/
/* structure that stores location */
typedef struct t_location {
int line_no;
char *filename;
} s_location, *p_location;
/**********************************************************************/
/*** includes for the time callbacks ***/
#define reason_begin_of_simtime 1
#define reason_end_of_simtime 2
/**********************************************************************/
/*
* include information for stability checks
*/
/* defines for positions */

#define acc_taskfunc_stable 0x0001
#define acc_systf_stable 0x0002
#define acc_primitive_stable 0x0004
#define acc_contassign_stable 0x0008
#define acc_behav_stable 0x0010
#define acc_netreg_stable 0x0020
/* for setting stability integer */

#define acc_setstabflags_m(flags_,pos) (flags_ |= pos)
#define acc_clearstabflags_m(flags_,pos) (flags_ &= ~pos)
#define acc_isstabflags_m(flags_,pos) (flags_ & pos)

/**********************************************************************/
/*** Routine declarations ***/
#ifndef ACCH
/* Handle routines */
handle acc_handle_object();
handle acc_handle_port();
handle acc_handle_terminal();
handle acc_handle_parent();
handle acc_handle_conn();
handle acc_handle_tchk();
handle acc_handle_pathout();
handle acc_handle_pathin();
handle acc_handle_tchkarg1();
handle acc_handle_tchkarg2();
handle acc_handle_modpath();
handle acc_handle_path();
handle acc_handle_loconn();
handle acc_handle_hiconn();
handle acc_handle_datapath();
handle acc_handle_condition();
handle acc_handle_by_name();
handle acc_handle_scope();
/* Nexts routines */
handle acc_next_terminal();
handle acc_next_port();
handle acc_next_child();
handle acc_next_driver();
handle acc_next_load();
handle acc_next_primitive();
handle acc_next_net();
handle acc_next_topmod();
handle acc_next_loconn();
handle acc_next_hiconn();
handle acc_next_modpath();
handle acc_next_path(); /* alias for acc_next_modpath */
handle acc_next_cell();
handle acc_next_cell_load();
handle acc_next_tchk();
handle acc_next_parameter();
handle acc_next_specparam();
handle acc_next_portout();
handle acc_next_bit();
handle acc_next();
handle acc_next_input();
handle acc_next_output();

/* Fetch routines */
char *acc_fetch_value();
char *acc_fetch_name();
char *acc_fetch_fullname();
char *acc_fetch_defname();
int acc_fetch_type();
int acc_fetch_fulltype();
char *acc_fetch_type_str();
int acc_fetch_index();
int acc_fetch_direction();
bool acc_fetch_delays();
double acc_fetch_paramval();
double acc_fetch_attribute();
int acc_fetch_polarity();
int acc_fetch_paramtype();
int acc_fetch_size();
int acc_fetch_range();
int acc_fetch_edge();
void acc_fetch_location();
/* Modify routines */
bool acc_replace_delays();
bool acc_append_delays();
/* Utility routines */
bool acc_initialize();
void acc_close();
bool acc_configure();
int acc_count();
handle *acc_collect();
char *acc_version();
void acc_free();
handle acc_handle_tfarg();
double acc_fetch_tfarg();
bool acc_compare_handles();
char *acc_set_scope();
int acc_release_object();
bool acc_object_of_type();
bool acc_object_in_typelist();
int acc_set_value();
/* Value Change Link routines */

void acc_vcl_add();
void acc_vcl_delete();
#endif
/**********************************************************************/


Master Index
PLI Reference Manual Index
$display 4-10 acc_fetch_edge 2-90

syntax 2-90
$scope
and acc_set_scope 2-243 acc_fetch_fullname 2-5, 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10, 2-12, 2-
13, 2-15, 2-93 to 2-94
64-bit values 4-2 naming module paths 2-93 to 2-94
syntax 2-93
A
acc_fetch_fulltype 2-6, 2-7, 2-9, 2-10, 2-11, 2-13, 2-
acc_append_delays 2-7, 2-8, 2-10, 2-14, 2-37 to 2-48 14, 2-95 to 2-104
and accPathDelayCount 2-39, 2-41 syntax 2-95
and accToHiZDelay 2-39, 2-44
deriving turn-off delays 2-44 acc_fetch_index 2-6, 2-11, 2-105 to 2-106
effect of timescales 2-45 syntax 2-105
setting delays for module paths 2-41 to 2-43 acc_fetch_location 2-107
specifying MIPDs 2-44 syntax 2-107
syntax 2-37
acc_fetch_name 2-5, 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10, 2-12, 2-13,
acc_close 2-16, 2-49 to 2-50 2-14, 2-15, 2-109 to 2-111
avoiding application interference 2-178 naming module paths 2-109 to 2-110
compared to acc_free 2-49, 2-134
syntax 2-49 acc_fetch_paramtype 2-13, 2-14, 2-112 to 2-113
syntax 2-112
acc_collect 2-51 to 2-52
collecting top-level modules 2-52 acc_fetch_paramval 2-13, 2-14, 2-114 to 2-116
compared to next routines 2-51 syntax 2-114
managing memory 2-52
syntax 2-51 acc_fetch_polarity 2-117
syntax 2-117
acc_compare_handles 2-53 to 2-54
acc_fetch_range 2-119
acc_configure 2-16, 2-55 to 2-67 syntax 2-119
syntax 2-55
acc_fetch_size 2-13, 2-120 to 2-121
acc_count 2-68 to 2-69 syntax 2-120
counting top-level modules 2-68
syntax 2-68 acc_fetch_tfarg 2-122 to 2-123
syntax 2-122
acc_error_flag 2-18, 2-21
acc_fetch_type 2-13, 2-124 to 2-128
acc_fetch_attribute 2-70 to 2-75 syntax 2-124
naming attributes 2-70 to 2-71
naming module paths 2-71 to 2-72 acc_fetch_type_str 2-129 to 2-130
syntax 2-70 syntax 2-129
acc_fetch_defname 2-5, 2-10, 2-76 acc_fetch_value 2-12, 2-13, 2-15, 2-131 to 2-133
syntax 2-76 formatting logic and strength values 2-131 to 2-
132
acc_fetch_delays 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10, 2-14, 2-77 to 2- logic values 2-131
87 scalar or vector nets 2-131
effect of timescales 2-84 syntax 2-131
fetching delays for inter-module paths 2-84
fetching delays for module paths 2-81 to 2-83 acc_free 2-134 to 2-135
fetching MIPDs 2-84 compared to acc_close 2-134
acc_fetch_direction 2-6, 2-11, 2-88 to 2-89 acc_handle_by_name 2-136
Version 1.0 Index-1

Index PLI Reference Manual
syntax 2-136 acc_handle_tchkarg2 2-14, 2-171 to 2-172

syntax 2-171
acc_handle_condition 2-138
syntax 2-138 acc_handle_terminal 2-173 to 2-174
index 2-173
acc_handle_conn 2-11, 2-140 to 2-141 syntax 2-173
syntax 2-140
acc_handle_tfarg 2-175 to 2-177
acc_handle_datapath 2-142 and module instances 2-175
syntax 2-142 and nets 2-175
acc_handle_hiconn 2-143 and primitives 2-175
syntax 2-143 numbering arguments 2-175
passing arguments 2-175
acc_handle_loconn 2-145 syntax 2-175
syntax 2-145 types of system task/function arguments
supported 2-175
acc_handle_modpath 2-8, 2-147 to 2-149
accEnableArgs 2-148 acc_initialize 2-16, 2-178 to 2-179
optional arguments 2-148 avoiding application interference 2-178
syntax 2-147 functions 2-178
syntax 2-178
acc_handle_object 2-4, 2-150 to 2-151
and acc_set_scope 2-243 acc_next 2-13, 2-15, 2-180 to 2-183
acc_handle_parent 2-5, 2-6, 2-10, 2-11, 2-12, 2-13, acc_next_bit 2-7, 2-184 to 2-186
2-15, 2-152 syntax 2-184
syntax 2-152
acc_next_cell 2-5, 2-187 to 2-188
acc_handle_path 2-9, 2-153 syntax 2-187
syntax 2-153
acc_next_cell_load 2-12, 2-189 to 2-191
acc_handle_pathin 2-8, 2-155 compared to acc_next_load 2-189 to 2-190, 2-
syntax 2-155 199 to 2-200
syntax 2-189
acc_handle_pathout 2-8, 2-156
syntax 2-156 acc_next_child 2-5, 2-192 to 2-193
syntax 2-192
acc_handle_port 2-6, 2-157 to 2-158
syntax 2-157 acc_next_driver 2-12, 2-194
syntax 2-194
acc_handle_scope 2-159
syntax 2-159 acc_next_hiconn 2-6, 2-195 to 2-196
syntax 2-195
acc_handle_simulated_net 2-160
syntax 2-160 acc_next_input 2-197
syntax 2-197
acc_handle_tchk 2-14, 2-162 to 2-168
edge group constants 2-163 acc_next_load 2-12, 2-199 to 2-201
edge specific constants 2-164 compared to acc_next_cell_load 2-189 to 2-190,
edge sums 2-164 2-199 to 2-200
optional arguments 2-165 to 2-167 syntax 2-199
syntax 2-162, 2-168
acc_next_loconn 2-6, 2-202 to 2-203
acc_handle_tchkarg1 2-14, 2-169 to 2-170 syntax 2-202
syntax 2-169
acc_next_modpath 2-8, 2-204
Index-2 Version 1.0

syntax 2-204 acc_set_scope 2-241 to 2-243

and $scope 2-243
acc_next_net 2-12, 2-205 and acc_handle_object 2-243
syntax 2-205 optional arguments 2-242
acc_next_output 2-207 syntax 2-241
syntax 2-207 acc_set_value 2-244
acc_next_parameter 2-13, 2-210 syntax 2-244
syntax 2-210 acc_user.h 2-16, 2-21, 2-90, 2-130, 2-244, 2-245, 2-
acc_next_port 2-6, 2-211 to 2-212 248, 2-251, Appendix-1 to Appendix-11
compared to acc_next_portout 2-211, 2-213 acc_vcl_add 2-247 to 2-249
acc_next_portout 2-213 acc_vcl_delete 2-250 to 2-252
compared to acc_next_port 2-211, 2-213 syntax 2-250
syntax 2-213
acc_version 2-253
acc_next_primitive 2-10, 2-214 syntax 2-253
syntax 2-214
accDefaultAttr0 2-56
acc_next_specparam 2-14, 2-215
syntax 2-215 accDevelopmentVersion 2-16, 2-56
acc_next_tchk 2-14, 2-216 to 2-217 accDisplayErrors 2-56

syntax 2-216
accDisplayWarnings 2-56
acc_next_terminal 2-11, 2-218
syntax 2-218 accEnableArgs 2-57, 2-242
acc_next_topmod 2-9, 2-219 to 2-220 access routines 2-1 to 2-253

syntax 2-219 acc_append_delays 2-7, 2-8, 2-10, 2-14, 2-
37 to 2-48
acc_object_in_typelist 2-221 to 2-222 acc_close 2-16, 2-49 to 2-50
syntax 2-221 acc_collect 2-51 to 2-52
acc_compare_handles 2-53 to 2-54
acc_object_of_type 2-223 to 2-224 acc_configure 2-16, 2-55 to 2-67
syntax 2-223 acc_count 2-68 to 2-69
acc_product_version 2-225 acc_fetch_attribute 2-70 to 2-75
output string 2-225 acc_fetch_defname 2-5, 2-10, 2-76
syntax 2-225 acc_fetch_delays 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10, 2-14, 2-
77 to 2-87
acc_release_object 2-226 acc_fetch_direction 2-6, 2-11, 2-88 to 2-89
syntax 2-226 acc_fetch_edge 2-90 to 2-92
acc_fetch_fullname 2-5, 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10, 2-
acc_replace_delays 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10, 2-14, 2- 12, 2-13, 2-15, 2-93 to 2-94
229 to 2-240 acc_fetch_fulltype 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-9, 2-10, 2-11,
and accPathDelayCount 2-231, 2-232 2-13, 2-14, 2-95 to 2-104
and accToHiZDelay 2-231 acc_fetch_index 2-6, 2-11, 2-105 to 2-106
deriving turn-off delays 2-237 acc_fetch_location 2-107 to 2-108
effect of timescales 2-237 acc_fetch_name 2-5, 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10, 2-12, 2-
modifying MIPDs 2-236 13, 2-14, 2-15, 2-109 to 2-111
replacing delays for inter-module paths 2-236 acc_fetch_paramtype 2-13, 2-14, 2-112 to 2-
replacing delays for module paths 2-232 to 2- 113
235 acc_fetch_paramval 2-13, 2-14, 2-114 to 2-116
syntax 2-229, 2-240 acc_fetch_polarity 2-117 to 2-118
Version 1.0 Index-3

acc_fetch_range 2-13, 2-119 acc_object_of_type 2-223 to 2-224

acc_fetch_size 2-13, 2-120 to 2-121 acc_product_version 2-225
acc_fetch_tfarg 2-122 to 2-123 acc_release_object 2-226 to 2-228
acc_fetch_type 2-13, 2-124 to 2-128 acc_replace_delays 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10, 2-14, 2-
acc_fetch_type_str 2-129 to 2-130 229 to 2-240
acc_fetch_value 2-12, 2-13, 2-15, 2-131 to 2- acc_set_scope 2-241 to 2-243
133 acc_set_value 2-13, 2-244 to 2-246
acc_free 2-134 to 2-135 acc_vcl_add 2-247 to 2-249
acc_handle_by_name 2-136 to 2-137 acc_vcl_delete 2-250 to 2-252
acc_handle_condition 2-138 to 2-139 acc_version 2-253
acc_handle_conn 2-11, 2-140 to 2-141 alphabetical list of 2-36 to 2-253
acc_handle_datapath 2-142 and handles 2-3
acc_handle_hiconn 2-143 to 2-144 and the Verilog-HDL objects they support 2-
acc_handle_loconn 2-145 to 2-146 4 to 2-9
acc_handle_modpath 2-8, 2-147 to 2-149 child 2-192
acc_handle_object 2-150 to 2-151 collecting top-level modules 2-219
acc_handle_parent 2-5, 2-6, 2-10, 2-11, 2-12, 2- comparing handles 2-53 to 2-54
13, 2-15, 2-152 compiling and linking 2-17
acc_handle_path 2-9, 2-153 configuring 2-55 to 2-67
acc_handle_pathin 2-8, 2-155 controlling number of delay control values 2-66
acc_handle_pathout 2-8, 2-156 counting top-level modules 2-219
acc_handle_port 2-6, 2-157 to 2-158 definition 2-2
acc_handle_scope 2-159 deriving turn-off delays 2-67
acc_handle_simulated_net 2-160 displaying warning messages 2-64
acc_handle_tchk 2-14, 2-162 to 2-168 edge group constants 2-163
acc_handle_tchkarg1 2-14, 2-169 to 2-170 edge specific constants 2-164
acc_handle_tchkarg2 2-14, 2-171 to 2-172 edge sums 2-164
acc_handle_terminal 2-173 to 2-174 enabling optional arguments 2-65
acc_handle_tfarg 2-175 to 2-177 error exception values 2-21
acc_initialize 2-16, 2-178 to 2-179 error handling 2-18 to 2-21
acc_next 2-13, 2-15, 2-180 to 2-183 error messages 2-18
acc_next_bit 2-7, 2-184 to 2-186 exiting 2-16
acc_next_cell 2-5, 2-187 to 2-188 fetch 2-25 to 2-26
acc_next_cell_load 2-12, 2-189 to 2-191 for bits of a port 2-7
acc_next_child 2-5, 2-192 to 2-193 for inter-module paths 2-9
acc_next_driver 2-12, 2-194 for module instances 2-5
acc_next_hiconn 2-6, 2-195 to 2-196 for module paths 2-8
acc_next_input 2-197 to 2-198 for module ports 2-6
acc_next_load 2-12, 2-13, 2-199 to 2-201 for nets 2-12
acc_next_loconn 2-6, 2-202 to 2-203 for parameters 2-13
acc_next_modpath 2-8, 2-204 for primitive instances 2-10
acc_next_net 2-12, 2-205 for primitive terminals 2-11
acc_next_output 2-207 to 2-209 for specparams 2-14
acc_next_parameter 2-13, 2-210 for timing checks 2-14
acc_next_port 2-6, 2-211 to 2-212 for top-level modules 2-9
acc_next_portout 2-213 function 2-2
acc_next_primitive 2-10, 2-214 handle 2-27 to 2-28
acc_next_specparam 2-14, 2-215 hierarchically higher connection 2-195
acc_next_tchk 2-14, 2-216 to 2-217 hierarchically lower connection 2-202
acc_next_terminal 2-11, 2-218 index 2-157
acc_next_topmod 2-9, 2-219 to 2-220 initializing 2-16
acc_object_in_typelist 2-221 to 2-222 modify 2-29
Index-4 Version 1.0

names 2-3 child 2-192

naming module paths 2-71 to 2-72, 2-93 to 2- collapsed net
94, 2-109 to 2-110 identifying with acc_handle_tfarg 2-176
next 2-30 to 2-33 collecting top-level modules 2-52, 2-192, 2-219
parent 2-152
prerequisites 2-1 comparing handles 2-53 to 2-54
setting default value for acc_fetch_attribute 2-61
setting development version 2-16, 2-62 compiling and linking access routines 2-17
string handling 2-21 to 2-24 configuration parameters
suppressing automatic error reporting 2-63 controlling number of delay values 2-66
testing for errors 2-19 deriving turn-off delays 2-67
utility 2-34 displaying access routine warnings 2-64
Value Change Link (VCL) 2-35 enabling optional access routine arguments 2-65
warnings 2-18 setting default value for acc_fetch_attribute 2-61
accessible objects 2-4 to 2-9 setting development version 2-62
suppressing automatic error reporting 2-63
accMapToMipd 2-57
configuring access routines 2-55 to 2-67
accMinTypMaxDelays 2-58
effect on acc_append_delays 2-38 to 2-40 controlling number of delay values 2-66
effect on acc_fetch_delays 2-78 to 2-80 counting top-level modules 2-68, 2-192, 2-219
effect on acc_replace_delays 2-230 to 2-232
accPathDelayCount 2-59 D
accPathDelimStr 2-60, 2-71 data argument 3-2
accToHiZDelay 2-60 data type checking 4-9
application interference default names 2-94, 2-110

avoiding with acc_initialize and acc_close 2-178
deriving turn-off delays 2-44 to 2-45, 2-67, 2-237
B displaying access routine warnings 2-64
bits of a port
access routines for 2-7
E
buffer reset 2-22 to 2-23 edge group constants 2-163
edge specific constants 2-164

C
edge sums 2-164
call instances 4-1
enabling optional access routine arguments 2-65
calltf routine 3-1
error handling
casting return values 2-114 access routines 2-18 to 2-21
cell load 2-189 examples

a checktf routine 2-19
cells allocating memory for tf_exprinfo 4-11
definition 2-187 annotating delays to path delays 2-237 to 2-238
nesting 2-187 annotating to primitive output 2-45 to 2-46
checktf routine 3-1 appending min:typ:max delays on a primitive 2-
47
Version 1.0 Index-5

back annotation 2-46 module 2-113

changing rise and fall delays of a gate 2-176 error checking for access routines 2-20
checking for input ports 2-89 fetching min:typ:max delays for an inter-module
converting real numbers to integers 4-8 path 2-86
counting the number of nets in a module 2-69 fetching rise and fall delays of each path in a
deallocating memory used by acc_collect 2-135 module 2-66
deriving turn-off delay for Z-state primitive 2- filling in veriusertfs data structure 3-5
67 finding all cell instances under a module 2-188
determine if a net is connected to the input of a finding all cell loads on a net 2-191
path 2-197, 2-207 finding all nets and registers in a module 2-183
determining if a net is a wired net 2-222 finding all simulated nets within a particular
determining if a net is in a module 2-243 scope 2-161
determining the size of a vector net 2-121 finding all terminals driven by a net 2-201
determining whether nets are collapsed nets 2- finding conditional edge-sensitive and level-
224 sensitive paths 2-138
determining which primitives’ terminals drive a finding load capacitance of scalar nets 2-61, 2-
net 2-152, 2-194 75
display names of nets within a module 2-32 finding nets connected to inputs/outputs of paths
displaying a module’s input ports 2-106 across a module 2-204
displaying a parameter type 2-129 finding output and inout ports of a module 2-213
displaying all nets in a module 2-32, 2-52, 2-62 finding the data path that corresponds to a
displaying all parameter values for a module 2- module path 2-142
116 finding the net connected to a path’s input 2-154,
displaying all terminals of a primitive 2-218 2-155
displaying defining names of primitives in a finding the net connected to a path’s output 2-
module 2-76, 2-214 156
displaying fulltypes of primitives 2-104 how to use strcpy 2-24
displaying fulltypes of timing checks 2-102 identifying cells in a module that contain specific
displaying high net connections to a module port timing checks 2-167 to 2-168
2-196 identifying module output ports 2-158
displaying input ports of a module 2-212 identifying name of net connected to primitive
displaying low net connections to a module port terminal 2-174
2-203 identifying the current version of access routines
displaying name of a module path 2-65 2-253
displaying name of all children of a module 2- identifying the type of an object 2-127 to 2-128
193 identifying version of the Verilog simulator
displaying names of all nets in a module 2-206 linked to access routines 2-50, 2-225
displaying names of all top-level modules 2-220 initializing the environment for access routines
displaying names of objects that are nets 2-94 2-179
displaying names of top-level modules 2-111 monitoring the logic value of each bit of an
displaying the defining names of all primitives in expanded vector net 2-186
a module 2-76 obtaining the load capacitance of all scalar nets
displaying the hiconn and loconn of a port 2- connected to module ports 2-75
144, 2-146 replacing delays on a module path 2-151, 2-238
displaying the low hierarchical connection of retrieving all nets connected to a primitive 2-218
each bit of a port 2-185 retrieving handles for net names listed in a file 2-
displaying the name and range for each vector 150 to 2-151
net found in a scope 2-119 retrieving handles for paths defined in a file 2-
displaying the net connected to a gate’s output 148 to 2-149
terminal 2-141 retrieving logic values of all nets in a module 2-
displaying the scope of an object 2-159 133
displaying top-level modules 2-63 retrieving net connected to cell’s first setup
displaying values of all parameters within a check argument 2-170
Index-6 Version 1.0

retrieving net connected to cell’s second setup fetching delays for inter-module paths 2-84
check argument 2-172
retrieving rise, fall, turn-off delays of module fetching delays for MIPDs 2-84
paths 2-85 fetching delays for module paths 2-81 to 2-83
scanning all cells below a module for setup
timing checks 2-217 format specifications for tf_strgetp/tf_istrgetp 4-10
scanning all nets in a module 2-183, 2-206, 2-
222 full hierarchical name 2-93
scanning all parameters in a module 2-210 fulltype
scanning all specparams in a module 2-215 compared to type 2-95 to 2-102, 2-124 to 2-127
setting a scope and getting a handle 2-137
setting accDefaultAttr0 2-61
setting accDevelopmentVersion 2-62
H
setting accDisplayErrors 2-63 handle routines 2-3, 2-27 to 2-28
setting accDisplayWarnings 2-64
setting accEnableArgs 2-65 handles 2-3
setting accPathDelayCount 2-66 declaring variables for 2-3
setting accToHiZDelay 2-67
setting scope for acc_handle_object 2-243, 2- header files
245 acc_user.h 2-16
using acc_compare_handles to compare two hierarchically higher connection 2-195
handles 2-54
using acc_fetch_edge to get the string that hierarchically lower connection 2-202
corresponds to an edge specifier 2-91
using acc_fetch_location to find the file name I
and line number for an object 2-108
using acc_fetch_polarity to get the polarity of a index 2-105, 2-157, 2-173
path 2-118
using acc_fetch_tfarg to return the value of initializing access routines 2-16
arguments 2-123 instance pointer 4-3
using strcpy with access routines 2-24
using the Programming Language Interface inter-module paths
mechanism 3-5 to 3-6 access routines for 2-9
validating system task argument 2-64 fetching delays for 2-84
replacing delays for 2-236
exiting access routines 2-16
io_mcdprintf 4-51
expr_ngroups 4-12
io_printf 4-22
expr_sign 4-12
expr_string 4-12 M
expr_type 4-12 mc_scan_plusargs 4-52
expr_value_p 4-12 min:typ:max delays

appending with acc_append_delays 2-38 to 2-
expr_vec_size 4-12 40, 2-44
expression information 4-12 fetching for module paths 2-82
fetching with acc_fetch_delays 2-78, 2-84
replacing with acc_replace_delays 2-230 to 2-
F 232, 2-234, 2-236
fetch routines 2-25 to 2-26 MIPDs
fetching with acc_fetch_delays 2-84
Version 1.0 Index-7

modifying with acc_replace_delays 2-236 parent 2-152

specifying with acc_append_delays 2-44
port bits
misctf routine 3-2 access routines for 2-7
modify routines 2-29 primitive instances

module instances
access routines for 2-5 primitive terminals
module paths
access routines for 2-8 Programming Language Interface mechanism 3-1
fetching delays for 2-81 to 2-83
names 2-71 to 2-72, 2-93 to 2-94, 2-109 to 2- properties of objects 2-223
110
replacing delays for 2-232 to 2-235 R
setting delays for 2-41 to 2-43
real number values 4-2
module ports
access routines for 2-6 real_value 4-12
reason argument 3-2

N
reference object 2-30, 2-51, 2-68
replacing delays for inter-module paths 2-236
naming module paths 2-71 to 2-72, 2-93 to 2-94, 2-
109 to 2-110 replacing delays for module paths 2-232 to 2-235
nets S
setting default value for acc_fetch_attribute 2-61
next routines 2-3, 2-30 to 2-33
compared to acc_collect 2-51 setting delays for module paths 2-41 to 2-43
node information 4-13 setting development version 2-16, 2-62
node_mem_size 4-13 sizetf routine 3-2
node_ngroups 4-13 specparam

node_sign 4-13
strcpy 2-24
node_symbol 4-13
string handling 2-21 to 2-24
node_type 4-13
suppressing automatic error reporting 2-63
node_value 4-13
node_vec_size 4-13 T
t_tfcell data structure 3-3 to 3-5
P 0 value in field 3-5
parameter value change flags 4-36 calltf field 3-4
checktf field 3-4
parameters data field 3-3
access routines for 2-13 forwref field 3-4
data types 2-112, 2-114 misctf field 3-4
sizetf field 3-4
Index-8 Version 1.0

tfname field 3-4 tf_igetp 4-2, 4-7, 4-8

type field 3-3
tf_igetpchange 4-36, 4-40
target object 2-30
tf_igetrealp 4-7, 4-8
tf_asynchoff 4-15
tf_igetroutine 4-45
tf_asynchon 4-15
tf_igettflist 4-47
tf_clearalldelays 4-31
tf_igettimeprecision 4-21
tf_copypvc_flag 4-36, 4-37
tf_igettimeunit 4-20
tf_dofinish 4-28
tf_igetworkarea 4-43
tf_dostop 4-27
tf_imipname 4-48
tf_error 4-23
tf_imovepvc_flag 4-36, 4-38
tf_exprinfo 4-11 to 4-14
components of expression information 4-12 tf_inodeinfo 4-11
representing vector values 4-13 to 4-14 tf_integer_node 4-13
tf_getcstringp 4-29 tf_inump 4-3, 4-4
tf_getinstance 4-2, 4-3 tf_iputlongp 4-7
tf_getlongp 4-7, 4-8 tf_iputp 4-7, 4-8
tf_getlongtime 4-18 tf_iputrealp 4-7, 4-8
tf_getnextlongtime 4-53 tf_irosynchronize 4-17
tf_getp 4-7 to 4-9 tf_isetdelay 4-30
handling literal strings 4-8
tf_isetlongdelay 4-30
tf_getpchange 4-36, 4-40
tf_isetrealdelay 4-30
tf_getrealp 4-7, 4-8
and literal strings 4-8 tf_isetroutine 4-44
tf_getroutine 4-45 tf_isettflist 4-46
tf_gettflist 4-47 tf_isetworkarea 4-42
tf_gettimeprecision 4-21 tf_isizep 4-50
tf_gettimeunit 4-20 tf_ispname 4-49
tf_getworkarea 4-43 tf_istrdelputp 4-32
tf_iasynchoff 4-15 tf_istrgetp 4-10
format specifications 4-10
tf_iasynchon 4-15
tf_istrlongdelputp 4-32
tf_icopypvc_flag 4-36, 4-37
tf_istrrealdelputp 4-33
tf_iexprinfo 4-11
tf_isynchronize 4-16
tf_igetcstringp 4-29
tf_itestpvc_flag 4-36, 4-39
tf_igetlongp 4-7
Version 1.0 Index-9

tf_itypep 4-5 tf_setrealdelay 4-30
tf_memory_node 4-13 tf_setroutine 4-44
tf_message 4-25 tf_settflist 4-46
tf_mipname 4-48 tf_setworkarea 4-42
tf_movepvc_flag 4-36, 4-38 tf_sizep 4-50
tf_netscalar_node 4-13 tf_spname 4-49
tf_netvector_node 4-13 tf_strdelputp 4-32 to 4-33

delay type parameters 4-33
tf_nodeinfo 4-11 to 4-14 format specifications for string values 4-33
components of node information 4-13
representing logic strength information 4-14 tf_strgetp 4-10
representing memory contents 4-14 format specifications 4-10
representing vector values 4-13 to 4-14
tf_strgettime 4-19
tf_null_node 4-13
tf_string 4-5, 4-12
tf_nullparam 4-5, 4-12
tf_strlongdelputp 4-32
tf_nump 4-3, 4-4
tf_strrealdelputp 4-33
tf_putlongp 4-7, 4-8
tf_synchronize 4-16
tf_putp 4-7 to 4-9
and data type checking 4-8 tf_testpvc_flag 4-36, 4-39
tf_putrealp 4-7, 4-8 tf_text 4-26

and data type checking 4-8 tf_tfgettime 4-18
tf_readonly 4-5, 4-12 tf_time_node 4-13
tf_readonlyreal 4-5, 4-12 tf_typep 4-5 to 4-6, 4-8
tf_readwrite 4-5, 4-12 tf_unscale_longdelay 4-35
tf_readwritereal 4-6, 4-9, 4-12 tf_unscale_realdelay 4-35
tf_real_node 4-13 tf_warning 4-24
tf_reg_node 4-13 timescales
tf_rosynchronize 4-17 effect on utility routines 4-2
tf_rwbitselect 4-12 timing checks

tf_rwmemselect 4-12
top-level modules
tf_rwpartselect 4-12 access routines for 2-9
tf_scale_longdelay 4-34 type

compared to fulltype 2-95 to 2-102, 2-124 to 2-
tf_scale_realdelay 4-34 127
tf_setdelay 4-30
tf_setlongdelay 4-30
Index-10 Version 1.0

U 16
to test parameter value change flags 4-39
using access routines 2-16 to 2-17 to write string value specifications to parameters
4-32 to 4-33
utility routines 2-34, 4-1
to "get" a parameter value 4-7 to 4-9
to "get" module instance path names 4-48
V
to "get" routine pointers 4-45 Value Change Link (VCL) 2-35, 2-176, 2-186, 2-
to "get" system task/function instance pointers 247 to 2-252
4-47 VCL access routines 2-35, 2-247 to 2-252
to "get" work area pointers 4-43
to "put" a parameter value 4-7 to 4-9 veriuser.c 2-17, 3-1, 3-3, 3-5
to clear scheduled reactivations 4-31
to convert delays to a module’s timescale 4-35 veriuser.h 3-2, 3-3
to convert delays to simulation time units 4-34 veriusertfs data structure 3-3, 3-3 to 3-5
to copy parameter value change flags 4-37 0 value in field 3-5
to disable asynchronous calling 4-15 calltf field 3-4
to enable asynchronous calling 4-15 checktf field 3-4
to enter interactive mode 4-27 data field 3-3
to finish simulation 4-28 forwref field 3-4
to get a module’s timescale precision 4-21 misctf field 3-4
to get a module’s timescale units 4-20 sizetf field 3-4
to get bit length of a parameter 4-50 tfname field 3-4
to get current simulation time 4-18
to get current simulation time as a string 4-19
to get next time of scheduled simulation events
W
4-53 work areas 4-41
to get number of parameter that changed value
4-40
to get pointers to C language strings 4-29
to get scope path names 4-49
to get the type of a parameter 4-5 to 4-6
to identify the current instance of a task or
function 4-3
to obtain formatted parameter values 4-10
to obtain information about parameters 4-
12 to 4-14
to obtain the number of task or function
parameters 4-4
to print formatted data to standard output and log
file 4-22
to reactivate user tasks 4-30
to report errors 4-23, 4-25
to report warnings 4-24
to scan command line plus options 4-52
to store error information 4-26
to store routine pointers 4-44
to store system task/function instance pointers 4-
46
to store work area pointers 4-42
to synchronize to end of simulation time slot 4-
17
to synchronize to end of simulation time unit 4-
Version 1.0 Index-11

Index-12 Version 1.0

Verilog Pli

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Verilog Pli

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VERILOG-HDL PLI

Open Verilog International

Published as: PLI Reference Manual, Version 1.0, November 1, 1991.

Printed in the United States of America.

Published by: Open Verilog International Phone: (408) 776-1684

Verilog ® is a registered trademark of Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

2.7.2 Buffer Reset ___________________________________________ 2-22

Contents-2 Version 1.0

2.15.12 acc_fetch_fullname _____________________________________ 2-93

Version 1.0 Contents-3

2.15.57 acc_next_loconn ________________________________________ 2-202

Contents-4 Version 1.0

4.4.7 tf_asynchon / tf_asynchoff ________________________________ 4-15

Version 1.0 Contents-5

Contents-6 Version 1.0

Version 1.0 1-1

1-2 Version 1.0

To learn more about: Refer to:

programming in C any C programmer’s manual

Version 1.0 2-1

2-2 Version 1.0

Version 1.0 2-3

2-4 Version 1.0

obtain handles for all module instances acc_next_child

find instance name acc_fetch_name

find full hierarchical name acc_fetch_fullname

find the name of the module definition acc_fetch_defname

find parent acc_handle_parent

obtain the fulltype of a module instance acc_fetch_fulltype

Table 2 - 1: Operations on module instances

Version 1.0 2-5

obtain handle for a particular port acc_handle_port

find parent acc_handle_parent

find hierarchically higher connected acc_next_hiconn

find hierarchically lower connected acc_next_loconn

find direction (input, output, inout) acc_fetch_direction

find index acc_fetch_index

obtain the fulltype of a module port acc_fetch_fulltype

find hierarchically higher connected acc_handle_hiconn

find hierarchically lower connected net acc_handle_loconn

Table 2-2: Operations on module ports

2-6 Version 1.0

read MIPD delays acc_fetch_delays

find lowest hierarchical name acc_fetch_name

find full hierarchical name acc_fetch_fullname

obtain the fulltype of a port’s bit acc_fetch_fulltype

Table 2-3: Operations on bits of a port

Version 1.0 2-7

modify delays acc_append_delays

find a particular module path acc_handle_modpath

find lowest-level name acc_fetch_name

find full hierarchical name acc_fetch_fullname

free the memory associated with an acc_release_object

find a particular datapath acc_handle_datapath

Table 2-4: Operations on module paths

2-8 Version 1.0

read inter-module path delays acc_fetch_delays

modify inter-module path delays acc_replace_delays

find lowest hierarchical name acc_fetch_name

find full hierarchical name acc_fetch_fullname

obtain the fulltype of an inter-module acc_fetch_fulltype

Table 2-5: Operations on inter-module paths

find name acc_fetch_name

Table 2-6: Operations on top-level modules

Version 1.0 2-9

find instance name acc_fetch_name

find full hierarchical name acc_fetch_fullname

find definition name acc_fetch_defname

find parent acc_handle_parent

read delays acc_fetch_delays

modify delays acc_append_delays

obtain fulltype acc_fetch_fulltype