Explanation of Verilog, SystemVerilog and VHDL

"Verilog" and "VHDL" are specialized programming languages used by engineers who design electronic hardware.  Companies such as Intel, Motorola and IBM use the Verilog or VHDL languages to design their next generation computer chips, cell phones, etc.  "HDL" stands for "Hardware Description Language".

"SystemVerilog" is a rich set of extensions to the Verilog HDL to help design and verify larger and more complex designs.

Hardware, such as a Pentium Processor, has become so complex that it is impossible to simply design and build the hardware and expect it to work correctly the first time.  A hardware description language is used by a design engineer to model the new design.  Verilog or VHDL allows the engineer to represent the desired functionality as a software program.  The model is then simulated on a computer to see if the design will work as intended.  Any problems can be corrected in the model, and the correction verified in simulation.

Remember the Pentium Processor math problem of a few years ago?  A simple design error caused the processor to divide certain numbers incorrectly.  It is estimated that the design problem cost Intel millions of dollars.  The role of Verilog Hardware Description Language is to help engineers avoid this type of design "bug".  By modeling the hardware first, problems with a design can be detected in simulation, and fixed before the hardware is actually built.  Companies that use hardware description languages properly are able to deliver products that work correctly.

Sutherland HDL provides expert consulting and training on the Verilog, SystemVerilog and VHDL Hardware Description Languages.  We help engineers use HDLs successfully.  Our customers include Intel, Motorola, Hewlett-Packard, Sun Microsystems, Silicon Graphics, and many other companies that design computers and other complex electronic hardware.