Testbench Automation

Testbench automation in ASIC design encompasses all methods and tools that automate the setup, execution, and evaluation of verification testbenches. The goal is to achieve greater efficiency, reusability, and reliability in the verification process. Typical aspects include:

• Automated testbench creation: Using scripts or ready-made templates to create a framework in which, in addition to the DUT, the UVM components such as sequence drivers, BFMs, monitors, and agents are instantiated and wired up.
• Regression Testing: Automated starting and managing of test runs across many test cases and configurations (e.g., via the Cadence vManager aka Verisium Manager, which also covers the following two points).
• Coverage Collection & Analysis: Automated collection and evaluation of functional and code coverage, e.g., through integrated tools (such as VCS, Questa).
• Error analysis & reporting: Automatic log file parsing, generation of reports (e.g., HTML, PDF), highlighting of errors, warnings, and coverage holes.
• Integration into CI/CD environments: Integrating the testbench into automated build and test pipelines (e.g., with Jenkins, GitLab CI).

Conclusion: Testbench automation reduces manual effort, accelerates the verification process, and increases quality through consistent, repeatable tests.