Zocalo Tech, Inc. has released is Zazz. The purpose of the product is to make using assertion libraries quick, easy and accurate by automating error prone tasks using a Graphical User Interface (GUI). With Zazz, the checkers from the most widely used assertion libraries can be attached to a design and documented.

Assertion checkers added by designers often have significant impact on detecting problems early in the functional verification process. The designer is the most familiar with the intent and limitations of the design and is in the best position to define where they are needed during simulation. Additionally, with checkers in place, formal verification can begin at the earliest stage and at the “sweet spot” for formal verification. Designer-provided assertion checkers result in increased communication between the designers and verification engineers. For example, when a designer-provided checker fails, both the designer and the verification engineer have a common point of reference.

Zazz is Linux-based and supports any mix of Verilog 1995, Verilog 2001 and SystemVerilog design files. The Zazz Front End includes an advanced incremental parser, elaborator and design viewer. An existing design or new design can be read into Zazz where it is parsed, elaborated and graphically displayed. The design may then be modified with the editor of choice without leaving Zazz. The design viewer provides design presentation and navigation. When a design is modified and saved, it is incrementally parsed and elaborated. The incremental feature, along with the built-in modification monitoring quickly updates the graphical display and gives immediate feedback about errors. The Zazz Front End provides designer productivity advantages even when assertion libraries are not being added or used.

Integrated with the Zazz Front End, Assertion Library Support software provides:

• Ease of selecting checkers from assertion libraries.
• Ease of binding the checkers to the design file.
• Ease of configuring the checkers.
• Ease of exportation and management of bind files.
• Automatic creation of verification plan documentation.

The tool supports Accellera’s Open Verification Library (OVL), Cadence’s Incisive Assertion Library (IAL), Mentor’s Questa Verification Library (QVL) and Synopsys’ SystemVerilog Assertions Checker Library with Coverage Level Reporting.
Zazz is available now. The list price is $4950 for a one-year subscription. Through September 30, 2009, single copies are available at a volume purchase price of $2,950. V\You can visit the company web site to see a demo and download a free 14-day trial.