Tom Fitzpatrick
Portable Stimulus and VIP: Like a Hand in a Glove

Portable Stimulus and VIP: Like a Hand in a Glove

August 8, 2024
One of my favorite things about DAC is the ability to share with so many of you some details of...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
In Memoriam: Chris Spear

In Memoriam: Chris Spear

March 14, 2024
Our friend and colleague Chris Spear passed away suddenly. He was a long-time veteran of our industry and was known...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
IEEE Honors Siemens Employees for Dedication to Standards Development

IEEE Honors Siemens Employees for Dedication to Standards Development

December 12, 2023
Annually, the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) recognizes outstanding participation across a variety of technical areas of standards development, leadership,...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
DVConUS 2023 Verification Horizons is Out

DVConUS 2023 Verification Horizons is Out

February 27, 2023
Some of you may have wondered for the past few years why we chose to use the name Verification Horizons...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
DAC Skytalk: Joe Sawicki on “Delivering ‘Smarter’ Faster – The Future of EDA & AI”

DAC Skytalk: Joe Sawicki on “Delivering ‘Smarter’ Faster – The Future of EDA & AI”

June 30, 2022
It’s hard to believe that the Design Automation Conference (DAC) is coming up in less than two weeks. As always,...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Verification Horizons DVConUS 2022 Issue is Out!

Verification Horizons DVConUS 2022 Issue is Out!

March 3, 2022
The DVConUS 2022 issue of our Verification Horizons newsletter is now available. As always, we have a great slate of...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Siemens EDA @DVConUS 2022

Siemens EDA @DVConUS 2022

February 14, 2022
DVConUS is coming up, beginning on February 28, 2022. The conference will be virtual again for 2022, but I’d like...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
The September Verification Horizons is Now Online!

The September Verification Horizons is Now Online!

September 2, 2021
I’m really excited to share with you a very special issue of the Verification Horizons newsletter for September, 2021. The...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Verification Academy UVM Video Courses Updated!

Verification Academy UVM Video Courses Updated!

June 10, 2021
Two significant milestones were reached earlier this year. The first is that the Universal Verification Methodology (UVM) celebrated its 10-year...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
DVConUS Issue of Verification Horizons is Now Available

DVConUS Issue of Verification Horizons is Now Available

March 2, 2021
I’m pleased to announce that our March, 2021 issue of Verification Horizons is now available, just in time for DVCon...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Portable Stimulus 2.0 Ready for Public Review

Portable Stimulus 2.0 Ready for Public Review

November 19, 2020
As vice-chair of the Accellera Portable Stimulus Working Group, it is my pleasure to announce that the Portable Test and...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
November Issue of Verification Horizons is Out!

November Issue of Verification Horizons is Out!

October 29, 2020
Now that we’re well into autumn, it’s time for our November issue of Verification Horizons. As always, we have a...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Great Upcoming Web Events on the Horizon

Great Upcoming Web Events on the Horizon

August 6, 2020
We’ve had some great online web seminars these past few weeks. Please consider viewing the on-demand recordings: SystemVerilog & UVM:...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Verification Horizons DAC 2020 Issue Now Available

Verification Horizons DAC 2020 Issue Now Available

July 21, 2020
Whether you’re attending the Virtual DAC this week or not, I am happy to share with you that the latest...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
DVCon US 2020 Now Available Online

DVCon US 2020 Now Available Online

June 17, 2020
I am happy to share with you that all of the content presented at DVCon US this past March in...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Exciting Webinar on Portable Stimulus Now Posted

Exciting Webinar on Portable Stimulus Now Posted

May 19, 2020
[Updated 5/27/2020] The webinar went off without a hitch and is now available for viewing on-demand at mentor.com. I’m pleased...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
New Webinar Series: What’s New in Mentor Functional Verification

New Webinar Series: What’s New in Mentor Functional Verification

May 8, 2020
Just like time and the tides, the complexity of electronic systems, and the need to verify that they will function...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Bringing Some of DVConUS to You

Bringing Some of DVConUS to You

April 2, 2020
As always, the Mentor team was a substantial part of the program at this year’s DVCon US. Unfortunately, due to...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
DVConUS Edition of Verification Horizons is Out!

DVConUS Edition of Verification Horizons is Out!

March 2, 2020
Hi Everyone, Hello from those of us willing to brave the Coronavirus to be here at DVConUS. I am pleased...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
December 2019 Verification Horizons Newsletter is Out!

December 2019 Verification Horizons Newsletter is Out!

December 6, 2019
We’re happy to give you a special Christmas (or whatever gift-giving holiday you may celebrate this time of year) present:...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Didn’t make it to DAC this year? We’ve got you covered!

Didn’t make it to DAC this year? We’ve got you covered!

September 6, 2019
I’ve probably mentioned in the past that DAC is one of my favorite events of the year. Aside from catching...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Summer Issue of Verification Horizons Update

Summer Issue of Verification Horizons Update

July 10, 2019
For those of you who haven’t seen it yet, the Summer issue of our Verification Horizons newsletter is available here. As...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Portable Stimulus and Lots More at the Verification Academy @DAC

Portable Stimulus and Lots More at the Verification Academy @DAC

May 9, 2019
Spring appears to have finally arrived in New England (although sometimes it’s tough to tell through all the rain), and...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Latest Verification Horizons Newsletter is Out

Latest Verification Horizons Newsletter is Out

March 25, 2019
The latest edition of our Verification Horizons Newsletter is available (here or here). As always, the issue is full of awesome...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Cats != Coverage

Cats != Coverage

March 8, 2019
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke, Profiles of The Future “We actually made a...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
A New Twist at DVConUS

A New Twist at DVConUS

February 15, 2019
This year at DVCon US, Mentor is going to add some sizzle to our booth (#1005) during the exhibit hours....
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Latest Verification Horizons Newsletter Is Now Available

Latest Verification Horizons Newsletter Is Now Available

December 5, 2018
If you haven’t seen it yet, the latest issue of the Verification Horizons Newsletter is now available on Verification Academy. This...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Adding Functional Safety to Verification Academy

Adding Functional Safety to Verification Academy

October 23, 2018
We here at Mentor never stop working to keep the Verification Academy at the forefront of the functional verification community....
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
How to Prove that It’s Not Your Fault

How to Prove that It’s Not Your Fault

October 12, 2018
In our June, 2018 edition of Verification Horizons, there’s a great article by my colleague Doug Smith, one of our formal...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
New UVM Cookbook Hot Off the Presses and In the Press

New UVM Cookbook Hot Off the Presses and In the Press

August 10, 2018
As you may know, we recently updated the online UVM Cookbook on Verification Academy. As you’ll see in “Updated UVM...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Portable Stimulus (and Other Standards) at DAC

Portable Stimulus (and Other Standards) at DAC

June 22, 2018
We’re about to embark on my favorite (professional) time of the year! That’s right, the 55th Design Automation Conference is...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
The New Verification Horizons is Here!

The New Verification Horizons is Here!

March 19, 2018
  Our March issue of Verification Horizons is now available here. Aside from giving me a chance to work through my...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Mentor Leads Portable Stimulus at DVCon US

Mentor Leads Portable Stimulus at DVCon US

February 22, 2018
I think I’ve mentioned before that DVCon (now DVCon US) is one of my favorite times of year. Having a...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
New Verification Horizons Issue Available

New Verification Horizons Issue Available

December 20, 2017
Our special year-end issue of the Verification Horizons Newsletter (for which this blog is named, by the way) is now available!...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Safety-Critical Verification in DO-254

Safety-Critical Verification in DO-254

October 27, 2017
I recently read a novel that involved the investigation of the crash of Marine One, the U.S. President’s helicopter. The...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Portable Stimulus in Verification Horizons

Portable Stimulus in Verification Horizons

September 8, 2017
Welcome back from Summer! Now that we’re all re-focusing on work after vacations, I wanted to remind everyone about a...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Portable Stimulus Specification Released for Public Review

Portable Stimulus Specification Released for Public Review

June 15, 2017
I am happy to announce that Accellera has just released an Early Adopter version of the new Portable Stimulus Specification...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Portable Stimulus: Standard vs. Tool vs. Language

Portable Stimulus: Standard vs. Tool vs. Language

April 17, 2017
Although we had a very successful Portable Stimulus tutorial at DVCon US, there were still a couple of points of...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Portable Stimulus the Hot Topic at DVCon U.S. ’17

Portable Stimulus the Hot Topic at DVCon U.S. ’17

March 13, 2017
Just getting around to gathering my thoughts about the great week we had at DVCon U.S. As Program Chair for the...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Will UVM 1800.2 Leave You Behind?

Will UVM 1800.2 Leave You Behind?

February 23, 2017
We recently reached yet another important milestone in the life of the Universal Verification Methodology. The IEEE 1800.2 UVM Standard...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Portable Stimulus Takes an Important Step Forward

Portable Stimulus Takes an Important Step Forward

August 12, 2016
As a leading proponent of Accellera’s work in the Portable Stimulus Working Group (WG) for a couple of years now,...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
UVM: The Factory Powers Reuse

UVM: The Factory Powers Reuse

July 25, 2016
As I mentioned in my last UVM post, UVM allows engineers to create modular, reusable, randomized self-checking testbenches. In that...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Portable Stimulus Taking Center Stage at DAC

Portable Stimulus Taking Center Stage at DAC

May 26, 2016
Living on the cutting edge, as I do, I’ve been focusing most of my attention recently on the problem of...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
UVM: The Value of Flexibility

UVM: The Value of Flexibility

April 25, 2016
Having been deeply involved with Universal Verification Methodology (UVM) from its inception, and before that, with OVM from its secret-meetings-in-a-hidden-hotel-room...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
DVCon US: UVM Is BIG

DVCon US: UVM Is BIG

March 21, 2016
As I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, DVCon (in the US – I haven’t made it to any of the new,...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Verification Horizons Newsletter DVCon Edition Available

Verification Horizons Newsletter DVCon Edition Available

March 3, 2016
Just wanted to take a minute from DVCon to let you know that the latest super-sized Verification Horizons is now...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Mentor Announces Joint Portable Stimulus Contribution with Cadence, Breker

Mentor Announces Joint Portable Stimulus Contribution with Cadence, Breker

September 8, 2015
We are proud to announce that Mentor Graphics, along with Cadence and Breker, is making a joint contribution of technology...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Accellera Portable Stimulus Working Group Accepting Technology Contributions

Accellera Portable Stimulus Working Group Accepting Technology Contributions

June 3, 2015
I am please to announce that, beginning today, the Accellera Portable Stimulus Working Group (PSWG) is accepting technology contributions to...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
March 2015 Edition of Verification Horizons Available Online!

March 2015 Edition of Verification Horizons Available Online!

March 17, 2015
With a name like “Fitzpatrick,” you knew I’d be celebrating today, right? Well, there’s no better way to celebrate this...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Latest Issue of Verification Horizons Available!

Latest Issue of Verification Horizons Available!

December 12, 2014
Just in time for Christmas and other year-end holidays, I am pleased to announce that the latest issue of Verification...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
On-Demand Webinar: UVM Sequences in Depth

On-Demand Webinar: UVM Sequences in Depth

November 5, 2014
When I was at DAC this year, I had a few folks come up to me at our Verification Academy...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Better Late Than Never: Magical Verification Horizons DAC Edition

Better Late Than Never: Magical Verification Horizons DAC Edition

August 12, 2014
As some of you may have seen, we release a great DAC edition of Verification Horizons back in June. Unfortunately,...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
DVCon 2014 Issue of Verification Horizons Now Available

DVCon 2014 Issue of Verification Horizons Now Available

March 3, 2014
DVCon is always one of my favorite events in our industry, and I am proud to let you know that...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
New Verification Horizons Issue Available

New Verification Horizons Issue Available

November 15, 2013
Wanted to let you all know that the October, 2013 issue of Verification Horizons is available online. You can view...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Texas-Sized DAC Edition of Verification Horizons Now Up on Verification Academy

Texas-Sized DAC Edition of Verification Horizons Now Up on Verification Academy

May 31, 2013
Hi Everyone, Just wanted to let you know that we just posted the PDF of the latest, Texas-Sized, DAC edition...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Even More UVM Debug in Questa 10.2

Even More UVM Debug in Questa 10.2

March 19, 2013
We’re really excited about the recent Questa 10.2 release, and I’m sure you’ll be just as excited when you check...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Verification Horizons DVCon Issue Now Available

Verification Horizons DVCon Issue Now Available

February 28, 2013
Hi Everyone, Just wanted to let you all know that the new issue of Verification Horizons is now available. You...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Check out the October, 2012 Verification Horizons

Check out the October, 2012 Verification Horizons

October 24, 2012
Hi Everyone, Just wanted to let you know that the latest and greatest edition of Verification Horizons is now available....
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
New UVM Recipe of the Month: Scoreboarding in UVM

New UVM Recipe of the Month: Scoreboarding in UVM

July 9, 2012
Hi Everyone, Just wanted to make sure you’re aware of our next Recipe of the Month online Web Seminar: Scoreboards...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Two Articles You Need to Check Out

Two Articles You Need to Check Out

May 31, 2012
As Editor of Verification Horizons, I’d like to point out a couple of articles that you really need to check...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Dave Rich Featured on EEWeb

Dave Rich Featured on EEWeb

May 12, 2012
I’m sure many of you know my colleague, Dave Rich. I’ve known Dave since our days at Co-Design Automation when...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Introducing UVM Connect

Introducing UVM Connect

February 22, 2012
In his recent post on UVM: Some Thoughts Before DVCon, Dennis outlined some great ideas about what we think should...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
New UVM Recipe-of-the-Month: Sequence Layering

New UVM Recipe-of-the-Month: Sequence Layering

September 13, 2011
I’m excited to announce that our second UVM Recipe-of-the-Month Webinar, “Sequence Layering,” will be presented on Thursday, September 15, at...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Verification Academy Now Includes OVMWorld Content

Verification Academy Now Includes OVMWorld Content

July 7, 2011
I am pleased to announce that Mentor Graphics has recently expanded Verification Academy to provide a “one-stop shop” for all...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Verification Horizons DAC Issue Now Available Online

Verification Horizons DAC Issue Now Available Online

June 24, 2011
Well, another DAC is behind us, and you know what that means. That’s right, the super-sized DAC issue of Verification...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
UVM Register Kit Available for OVM 2.1.2

UVM Register Kit Available for OVM 2.1.2

June 2, 2011
When we looked at requirements for UVM in Accellera, one of the highest priority requests from users was to have...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Free at Last! UVM1.0 is Here!

Free at Last! UVM1.0 is Here!

February 18, 2011
By now you’ve probably heard that Accellera approved the Universal Verification Methodology Standard (UVM1.0) today. This announcement is the culmination...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
New Verification Horizons: Methodologies Don’t Have to be Scary

New Verification Horizons: Methodologies Don’t Have to be Scary

December 8, 2010
Hi Everyone, Just wanted to let you know that the latest edition of our Verification Horizons newsletter is available here....
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
UVM: Giving Users What They Want

UVM: Giving Users What They Want

October 5, 2010
Technorati Tags: UVM,SystemVerilog,RAL,OVM The development of UVM in the Accellera VIP-TSC brings up, yet again, the age-old philosophical question: should...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
OVM/UVM @DAC: The Dog That Didn’t Bark

OVM/UVM @DAC: The Dog That Didn’t Bark

June 18, 2010
In the classic Sherlock Holmes story, “Silver Blaze,” Holmes realizes that the family dog didn’t bark when the suspect entered...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
On Committees and Motivations

On Committees and Motivations

April 16, 2010
Last year, the Accellera VIP-TSC spent quite a lot of time (I know, because I was there) defining a standard...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
February 2010 Verification Horizons Newsletter Now Available

February 2010 Verification Horizons Newsletter Now Available

March 15, 2010
For those of you who didn’t make it to DVCon this year, you missed one of the things that makes...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Truth in Labeling: VMM2.0

Truth in Labeling: VMM2.0

December 18, 2009
I see that Synopsys has finally released VMM1.2. Congratulations, guys. There will be plenty of opportunity over the coming weeks...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
December Verification Horizons Issue Out

December Verification Horizons Issue Out

December 17, 2009
Hi Everyone, Just wanted to let you know that the latest issue of Verification Horizons is now out. You can...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
DVCon is Just Around the Corner

DVCon is Just Around the Corner

December 9, 2009
Hi Gang, As you may know, in addition to my duties here at Mentor, I’m also the General Chair of...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ
Welcome to the Verification Horizons Blog!

Welcome to the Verification Horizons Blog!

December 2, 2009
Hi Everyone, As Editor of the Verification Horizons newsletter, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the newest facet...
By Tom Fitzpatrick
< 1 MIN READ