UVM Interview Questions - 4

Q26: What is p_sequencer ? OR Difference between m_sequencer and p_sequencer?

m_sequencer is the default handle for uvm_vitual_sequencer and p_sequencer is the hook up for child sequencer.

m_sequencer is the generic uvm_sequencer pointer. It will always exist for the uvm_sequence and is initialized when the sequence is started.

p_sequencer is a typed-specific sequencer pointer, created by registering the sequence to the sequencer using macros (`uvm_declare_p_sequencer) . Being type specific, you will be able to access anything added to the sequencer (i.e. pointers to other sequencers, etc.). p_sequencer will not exist if we have not registered the sequence with the `uvm_declare_p_sequencer macros.

The drawback of p_sequencer is that once the p_sequencer is defined, one cannot run the sequence on any other sequencer type.

Q27: What is the difference between Active mode and Passive mode with respect to agent?

An agent is a collection of a sequencer, a driver and a monitor.

In active mode, the sequencer and the driver are constructed and stimulus is generated by sequences sending sequence items to the driver through the sequencer. At the same time the monitor assembles pin level activity into analysis transactions.

In passive mode, only the monitor is constructed and it performs the same function as in an active agent. Therefore, your passive agent has no need for a sequencer. You can set up the monitor using a configuration object.

Q28: What is the difference between copy and clone?

The built-in copy() method executes the __m_uvm_field_automation() method with the required copy code as defined by the field macros (if used) and then calls the built-in do_copy() virtual function. The built-in do_copy() virtual function, as defined in the uvm_object base class, is also an empty method, so if field macros are used to define the fields of the transaction, the built-in copy() method will be populated with the proper code to copy the transaction fields from the field macro definitions and then it will execute the empty do_copy() method, which will perform no additional activity.

The copy() method can be used as needed in the UVM testbench. One common place where the copy() method is used is to copy the sampled transaction and pass it into a sb_calc_exp() (scoreboard calculate expected) external function that is frequently used by the scoreboard predictor.

The clone() method calls the create() method (constructs an object of the same type) and then calls the copy() method. It is a one-step command to create and copy an existing object to a new object handle.

Q29: What is UVM factory? 

UCM Factory is used to manufacture (create) UVM objects and components. Apart from creating the UVM objects and components the factory concept essentially means that you can modify or substitute the nature of the components created by the factory without making changes to the testbench. 

For example, if you have written two driver classes, and the environment uses only one of them. By registering both the drivers with the factory, you can ask the factory to substitute the existing driver in environment with the other type. The code needed to achieve this is minimal, and can be written in the test.

Q30: What are the types of sequencer? Explain each?

There are two types of sequencers :

uvm_sequencer #(REQ, RSP) :

When the driver initiates new requests for sequences, the sequencer selects a sequence from a list of available sequences to produce and deliver the next item to execute. In order to do this, this type of sequencer is usually connected to a driver uvm_driver #(REQ, RSP).

uvm_push_sequencer #(REQ, RSP) :

The sequencer pushes new sequence items to the driver, but the driver has the ability to block the item flow when its not ready to accept any new transactions. This type of sequencer is connected to a driver of type uvm_push_driver #(REQ, RSP).

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