State Dependent Path

Formal Definition

State Dependent Path is a path that occurs only when the condition is met.

Simplified Syntax

if (condition) simple_module_path;

if (condition) edge_sensitive_path;

ifnone simple_module_path;

Description

Generally, state dependent path is comprised of three parts. A condition that enables the module path, a module path description and a delay that applies to the module path.

The condition is an expression using scalars or vectors of any type. It can also be part-selects or bit-selects of a vector. Constant numbers and specparams can be used in the condition expression. The result of the conditional expression can be one bit or multiple bits. If it is more than one bit, the least significant bit represents the result.

When no edge transition is specified for the inputs, it is called the simple state-dependent path. Example 1 shows the simple-dependent path.

If any edge transition is specified for the input, then it is called an edge-sensitive state-dependent path. Different delays can be used to the same path if the following rules are followed:

a. A declaration must be unique and should use an edge or a conditional expression or both.

b. The port for which the delay is specified must be referenced in exactly the same way. You cannot mix part select, bit-select and complete ports.

Examples

Example 1

module example1 (cond, in_1, in_2, out);
input in_1, in_2, cond ;
output out ;
and (out, in_1, in_2) ;
specify
  specparam TRise1 = 5,
  TFall1 = 5,
  TRise2 = 7,
  TFall2 = 7;
  if (cond) ( in_1, in_2 *> out ) = (TRise1, TFall1);
  if (~cond) ( in_1, in_2 *> out ) = (TRise2, TFall2);
endspecify
endmodule

If a conditional expression 'cond' is true, TRise1 and TFall1 will be assigned to a path as delays. When the conditional expression 'cond' is false, TRise2 and TFall2 will be used as the path delays.

Important Notes

· When a conditional expression evaluates to x or z, it should be treated as true.