VHDL Timing Model

The VHDL timing model controls the stimulus and response sequence of signals in a VHDL model. At the start of a simulation, signals with default values are assigned those values. In the first execution of the simulation cycle, all processes are executed until they reach their first wait statement. These process executions will include signal assignment statements that assign new signal values after prescribed delays.

After all the processes are suspended at their respective wait statements, the simulator will advance simulation time just enough so that the first pending signal assignments can be made (e.g. 1 ns, 3 ns, 1 delta cycle).

After the relevant signals assume their new values, all processes examine their wait conditions to determine if they can proceed. Processes that can proceed will then execute concurrently again until they all reach their respective subsequent wait conditions.

This cycle continues until the simulation termination conditions are met or until all processes are suspended indefinitely because no new signal assignments are scheduled to unsuspend any waiting processes.

There are several types of delay in VHDL, and understanding of how delay works in a process is key to writing and understanding VHDL.

It bears repeating that any signal assignment in VHDL is actually a scheduling for a future value to be placed on that signal. When a signal assignment statement is executed, the signal maintains its original value until the time for the scheduled update to the new value. Any signal assignment statement will incur a delay of one of the three types listed below.

1. Transport Delay
2. Inertial Delay
3. Delta Delay

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