Transitioning to the new PLI standard

Summary form only given. This paper explores the challenges that Verilog Programming Language Interface (PLI) application developers will face when transitioning from using the older TF and ACC PLI standard (also known as “PLI 1.0”) to the new VPI PLI standard (also known as “PLI 2.0”). The older standard has been in use for nearly 15 years. It is well known, supported by all major Verilog simulators, and there are hundreds, possibly thousands, of commercial and proprietary applications written with the older PLI standard. The VPI library provides more capability but is harder to use and is not supported by most major Verilog simulators. So why should users transition to the new standard? How hard will the transition be? When is the right time to switch (if ever)? This paper presents the advantages and disadvantages of both the old and new PLI standards. The issues with transitioning to the new PLI standard are presented and answers are suggested on, if, and when PLI application developers should transition the new standard