Variables are declared random using the rand or randc keyword. They can be used on normal variables, arrays, dynamic arrays or queues.
rand
class Packet;
rand int count;
rand byte master [$];
rand bit [7:0] data [];
...
endclass
Let's take a simple class with a 3-bit variable called data that is randomized 10 times. The function randomize() is invoked as part of the class object to randomize all the rand type variables within that class object.
class Packet;
rand bit [2:0] data;
endclass
module tb;
initial begin
Packet pkt = new ();
for (int i = 0 ; i < 10; i++) begin
pkt.randomize ();
$display ("itr=%0d data=0x%0h", i, pkt.data);
end
end
endmodule
Note that 0x2 and 0x1 are repeated multiple times.
run -all; # KERNEL: itr=0 data=0x7 # KERNEL: itr=1 data=0x2 # KERNEL: itr=2 data=0x2 # KERNEL: itr=3 data=0x1 # KERNEL: itr=4 data=0x2 # KERNEL: itr=5 data=0x4 # KERNEL: itr=6 data=0x0 # KERNEL: itr=7 data=0x1 # KERNEL: itr=8 data=0x5 # KERNEL: itr=9 data=0x0 # KERNEL: Simulation has finished. There are no more test vectors to simulate.
Variables declared as rand are standard random variables and their values are uniformly distributed over their range. For example, the variable data from the code snippet above is an 8-bit unsigned integer with a range from 0 -> 255. If this variable is randomized without any constraints, then any value in this range will be assigned to the variable with equal probability. On successive randomization attempts the variable could end up having the same value, but the probability is 1/256.
randc
class Packet;
randc int count;
randc byte master [$];
randc bit [1:0] data [];
...
endclass
Variables declared as randc are random-cyclic and hence cycle through all the values within their range before repeating any particular value. For example, the variable data from the code snippet above has a range from 0 -> 3. If this variable is randomized without any constraints, then any value in this range will be assigned to the variable, but for successive randomization the same value will repeat only after all the values have been assigned atleast once. randc variables are solved before other random variables.
We'll use the same example from above with a minor change - make data a randc variable.
class Packet;
randc bit [2:0] data;
endclass
module tb;
initial begin
Packet pkt = new ();
for (int i = 0 ; i < 10; i++) begin
pkt.randomize ();
$display ("itr=%0d data=0x%0h", i, pkt.data);
end
end
endmodule
Note that all the values in the range 0 -> 3'h7 is exhausted before a value is repeated.
run -all; # KERNEL: itr=0 data=0x6 # KERNEL: itr=1 data=0x3 # KERNEL: itr=2 data=0x4 # KERNEL: itr=3 data=0x7 # KERNEL: itr=4 data=0x0 # KERNEL: itr=5 data=0x1 # KERNEL: itr=6 data=0x5 # KERNEL: itr=7 data=0x2 # KERNEL: itr=8 data=0x5 // Start of a new sequence # KERNEL: itr=9 data=0x0 # KERNEL: Simulation has finished. There are no more test vectors to simulate.
