Bursts and the address of every beat

Read a burst description as the subordinate does: how many beats, how wide, which address each beat lands on, where a WRAP burst turns around, and why no burst may cross 4 KB.

Lesson
P2.6
Time
35 min
Runs on
Your browser
Check
5 questions

A DMA descriptor asked for four words starting at 0x0FF8, and the manager issued one incrementing burst, as it always did. The interconnect decoded the burst from its first address and sent all four beats to the SRAM that owns 0x0000 to 0x0FFF. The last two, addressed 0x1000 and 0x1004, wrapped into the SRAM's first words instead of reaching the UART, so the SRAM lost its boot vector. The only rule broken was one line of the specification, a burst must not cross a 4 KB boundary, and this lesson is the arithmetic behind that line.

Three fields describe a burst

A request carries the address of its first beat and three attributes. AxLEN is the number of beats minus one: AWLEN of 3 means four beats, and an 8-bit field allows up to 256. AxSIZE is the number of bytes in each beat as a power of two, from 1 to 128, and it must not exceed the width of the data bus. AxBURST says how the address moves between beats. INCR adds the size each time, WRAP does the same inside a window and turns around at its end, FIXED repeats the start address.

FieldMeaningLimits
AxLENbeats − 1INCR 1 to 256 beats (AXI3: 16); WRAP 2, 4, 8 or 16; FIXED 1 to 16
AxSIZEbytes per beat, 2^size1 to 128 bytes, never wider than the data bus
AxBURSTFIXED 0b00, INCR 0b01, WRAP 0b100b11 is reserved
AxADDRaddress of beat 0a WRAP burst must start aligned to its size; no burst crosses a 4 KB boundary

Size times length is the most a burst can move; unaligned starts and strobes can move less, never more.

The beat count is fixed in the request, so no component may end a burst early. The manager sends every W beat and the subordinate every R beat, whatever happens on the way. A manager that wants to write fewer bytes than it promised sends the remaining beats with every strobe low.

The address of every beat

The subordinate computes the address of each beat; the wires carry only the first. Beat 0 is at the start address, aligned or not. Every later beat is at the start address rounded down to the size, plus the beat number times the size. An unaligned burst is therefore aligned from its second beat on. A WRAP burst has a window of size times length bytes, starting at the start address rounded down to that window. When the next address would reach the end of the window, it returns to the window's start. A FIXED burst uses the start address for every beat.

The library's beat_table prints that arithmetic before a burst runs, and the memory model uses the same function to place the bytes. Two of the example's three tables, side by side:

Same length, same size. The WRAP burst starts at 0x108 and its window is 0x100 to 0x10f, so after 0x10c it returns to 0x100.
burst at 0x100: 4 beats of 4 bytes, INCR        burst at 0x108: 4 beats of 4 bytes, WRAP
  beat  address  lanes  strobe                  beat  address  lanes  strobe
     0  0x00100  0-3    1111                       0  0x00108  0-3    1111
     1  0x00104  0-3    1111                       1  0x0010c  0-3    1111
     2  0x00108  0-3    1111                       2  0x00100  0-3    1111
     3  0x0010c  0-3    1111                       3  0x00104  0-3    1111

Watch the WRAP write land in memory. The grid is the sixteen bytes from 0x100; each beat lights the row its address selects.

A four-beat WRAP write at 0x108 lands in memoryMeasured: cycle 0 is edge 3, where the request is taken. The beat address is the one the task drives; the row it lights is where the memory puts the bytes.
AWWBManagerWRAP, 4 beats of 4Memory 0x100 to 0x10flane01230x1000x1040x1080x10c

Each cell is one byte; lane 0 is the lowest address of its row. The pill carries the beat address.

01234567clkawvalidawaddr108xwvalidwreadybeat_addrx10810c100104wstrb00001111xwlastbvalid
  1. Cycle 0

    The request: start 0x108, four beats of four bytes, WRAP. The window is 16 bytes from 0x100, because 0x108 rounded down to 16 is 0x100.

  2. Cycle 1

    Beat 0 lands at the start address, row 0x108.

  3. Cycle 2

    Beat 1 at 0x10c: start plus one size, still inside the window.

  4. Cycle 3

    The next address would be 0x110, the end of the window. Beat 2 wraps to 0x100.

  5. Cycle 4

    Beat 3 at 0x104, with wlast. Four rows lit, the whole 16-byte line, in the order 0x108, 0x10c, 0x100, 0x104.

  6. Cycle 7

    The response. The dump reads a2 a3 a0 a1 from 0x100: the data of beats 2 and 3 sits below the data of beats 0 and 1.

A cache fetching a line starting at the word it needs first: that is what WRAP is for.

The dump after the example's FIXED write holds only f3 at 0x200: four beats to one address overwrite each other. That is wrong for memory and right for a FIFO port, where every beat is a new entry. Every beat of a FIXED burst also uses the byte lanes of the first.

Why 4 KB

The interconnect decodes a transaction from its first address and routes the whole burst to one subordinate. The specification gives two reasons for the rule: a burst must never need two subordinates, and the address arithmetic a subordinate must support stays bounded. A burst across a 4 KB boundary could need two subordinates, and nobody downstream may split it, so the manager must not issue it. A checker tests that from the request alone: the bench names boundary at the edge the request is accepted.

The opening story, measured: axi_write(1, 32'hff8, 3, 2, INCR). This one memory takes all four beats; a decoder would have misrouted two.
burst at 0xff8: 4 beats of 4 bytes, INCR, bus 4 bytes
  beat  address  lanes  strobe
     0  0x00ff8  0-3    1111
     1  0x00ffc  0-3    1111
     2  0x01000  0-3    1111
     3  0x01004  0-3    1111
  this burst crosses a 4 KB boundary
RULE boundary broken at edge 3: AW: burst at 0xff8, 4 beats of 4 bytes, crosses a 4 KB boundary

Only an INCR burst can cross: a WRAP window is aligned to its own size and at most 2 KB, and a FIXED burst never moves.

What the checker catches, and what only the data shows

Three rules are visible on the request wires, and the bench checks them at the AW or AR handshake. len is a WRAP or FIXED burst longer than 16 beats. wrap is a WRAP burst whose length is not 2, 4, 8 or 16, or whose start is not aligned to its size. boundary is the 4 KB crossing. Measured with an 18-beat WRAP at 0x300, a legal 4-beat WRAP at 0x304 and a 32-beat FIXED at 0x400. Three reports, none for the legal one, and every burst still ran to its last beat.

One bug no request-side checker can see is a subordinate that computes the addresses wrongly. Set mem.wrap_bug = 1; and the memory treats a WRAP burst as INCR. Read the line just written: beats 0 and 1 are right, while beats 2 and 3 come back from 0x110 and 0x114 instead of 0x100 and 0x104, bytes that never belonged to the burst. The wires looked perfect; only the data, checked against the address rules, finds it.

Where you will meet it

Processors fetch cache lines with WRAP bursts that start at the critical word; DMA engines move buffers with long INCR bursts cut at 4 KB; FIFO ports take FIXED bursts. AHB has the same three types with a 1 KB rule, which P4 covers; APB has no bursts.

Asked in interviews: bursts
  1. How many beats does AWLEN = 3 give?

    Four. AxLEN is the beat count minus one; the 8-bit field reaches 256 beats for INCR in AXI4. AXI3 stops at 16 for every type, as WRAP and FIXED still do.

  2. Where does a WRAP burst wrap?

    At the end of a window of size times length bytes that starts at the start address rounded down to that window; the address then returns to the window's start. The start must be aligned to the beat size and the length must be 2, 4, 8 or 16.

  3. Why must a burst not cross 4 KB?

    The interconnect decodes a burst once, from its first address, and routes all of it to one subordinate. A burst across a 4 KB boundary could need two subordinates, and nothing downstream may split it.

  4. Can a transaction be terminated early?

    No, by any party. A manager that wants to write less sends the remaining beats with all strobes low; one that wants to read less discards data; both complete every beat.

  5. What is a FIXED burst for?

    Repeated access to one address, typically a FIFO port: every beat is a new entry. The address and the byte lanes are the same for every beat.

  6. What happens with an unaligned start address?

    Beat 0 uses the lanes from the address to the end of its aligned beat; every later beat is at the aligned address plus its number times the size. P2.8 maps every byte.

Try it

The three tables are the arithmetic of the lesson, printed before anything moves. The WRAP write then lands a0 to a3 at 0x108, 0x10c, 0x100 and 0x104, so the dump from 0x100 reads a2 a3 a0 a1. The FIXED write leaves only its last beat at 0x200.

Change the WRAP start to 0x104 and watch the window stay 0x100 to 0x10f. Change it to 0x102 and the checker names wrap. Make it axi_write(1, 32'hff8, 3, 2, INCR) and it names boundary. Add mem.wrap_bug = 1; and read the line back with axi_read(1, 32'h108, 3, 2, WRAP): the wires are clean and the last two beats are wrong.

RUNIcarus Verilog · in your browser
Edit the code, then run it
Expected: burst at 0x100: 4 beats of 4 bytes, INCR, bus 4 bytes beat address lanes strobe 0 0x00100 0-3 1111 1 0x00104 0-3 1111 2 0x00108 0-3 1111 3 0x0010c 0-3 1111 burst at 0x108: 4 beats of 4 bytes, WRAP, bus 4 bytes beat address lanes strobe 0 0x00108 0-3 1111 1 0x0010c 0-3 1111 2 0x00100 0-3 1111 3 0x00104 0-3 1111 burst at 0x200: 4 beats of 4 bytes, FIXED, bus 4 bytes beat address lanes strobe 0 0x00200 0-3 1111 1 0x00200 0-3 1111 2 0x00200 0-3 1111 3 0x00200 0-3 1111 e3 AW id=1 addr=0x108 len=3 size=2 WRAP e4 W beat 0 data=0xa0 strb=1111 last=0 addr 0x108 lanes 0-3 e5 W beat 1 data=0xa1 strb=1111 last=0 addr 0x10c lanes 0-3 e6 W beat 2 data=0xa2 strb=1111 last=0 addr 0x100 lanes 0-3 e7 W beat 3 data=0xa3 strb=1111 last=1 addr 0x104 lanes 0-3 e10 B id=1 OKAY 0x00100 a2 00 00 00 a3 00 00 00 a0 00 00 00 a1 00 00 00 e11 AW id=2 addr=0x200 len=3 size=2 FIXED e12 W beat 0 data=0xf0 strb=1111 last=0 addr 0x200 lanes 0-3 e13 W beat 1 data=0xf1 strb=1111 last=0 addr 0x200 lanes 0-3 e14 W beat 2 data=0xf2 strb=1111 last=0 addr 0x200 lanes 0-3 e15 W beat 3 data=0xf3 strb=1111 last=1 addr 0x200 lanes 0-3 e18 B id=2 OKAY 0x00200 f3 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 checker: 2 writes, 0 reads, 0 stalled edges, 0 rules broken
Read included file: axi_pkg.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_pkg.sv: the arithmetic of a burst (read-only).
// Every transfer n of a burst has an address and a set of byte lanes, computed from the start
// address, the burst length, the transfer size and the burst type exactly as the AXI specification
// defines them. The memory, the manager tasks and the checker all use these functions, so they
// never disagree about where a byte lands.
package axi_pkg;
  localparam logic [1:0] FIXED = 2'b00, INCR = 2'b01, WRAP = 2'b10;
  localparam logic [1:0] OKAY = 2'b00, EXOKAY = 2'b01, SLVERR = 2'b10, DECERR = 2'b11;

  function automatic string burst_name(input logic [1:0] b);
    case (b) FIXED: return "FIXED"; INCR: return "INCR"; WRAP: return "WRAP"; default: return "RESERVED"; endcase
  endfunction
  function automatic string resp_name(input logic [1:0] r);
    case (r) OKAY: return "OKAY"; EXOKAY: return "EXOKAY"; SLVERR: return "SLVERR"; default: return "DECERR"; endcase
  endfunction

  // Bytes in one transfer: 1, 2, 4, ... 128.
  function automatic int bytes_of(input logic [2:0] size);
    return 1 << size;
  endfunction

  // The address of transfer n (n counts from 0).
  //   transfer 0 uses the start address as given, aligned or not;
  //   later transfers use the start address aligned down to the transfer size, plus n transfers;
  //   a WRAP burst returns to its wrap boundary (the start aligned down to the whole burst) when
  //   it reaches the end of that window; a FIXED burst repeats the start address.
  function automatic int unsigned beat_addr(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                            input logic [1:0] burst, input int n);
    int unsigned nb = 1 << size;
    int unsigned aligned = (start / nb) * nb;
    int unsigned window = nb * (len + 1);
    int unsigned boundary = (start / window) * window;
    int unsigned a;
    if (burst == FIXED || n == 0) return start;
    a = aligned + n * nb;
    if (burst == WRAP && a >= boundary + window) a = a - window;
    return a;
  endfunction

  // The byte lanes transfer n uses on a bus of bus_bytes bytes, packed as {upper, lower}.
  // Transfer 0 of an unaligned burst (and every transfer of a FIXED burst) uses only the lanes from
  // its address up to the end of its aligned transfer; every other transfer uses all the lanes of
  // its size.
  function automatic logic [15:0] beat_lanes(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                             input logic [1:0] burst, input int n, input int bus_bytes);
    int unsigned nb = 1 << size;
    int unsigned a = beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, n);
    int unsigned aligned = (a / nb) * nb;
    int unsigned word = (a / bus_bytes) * bus_bytes;
    int lower = a - word;
    int upper = (n == 0 || burst == FIXED) ? (aligned + nb - 1 - word) : (lower + nb - 1);
    return {upper[7:0], lower[7:0]};
  endfunction

  // The strobe of transfer n: a 1 for every lane it uses (bit l is lane l).
  function automatic logic [63:0] beat_strb(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                            input logic [1:0] burst, input int n, input int bus_bytes);
    logic [15:0] lanes = beat_lanes(start, len, size, burst, n, bus_bytes);
    logic [63:0] s = 0;
    for (int l = lanes[7:0]; l <= lanes[15:8]; l++) s[l] = 1'b1;
    return s;
  endfunction

  // True when the burst crosses a 4 KB boundary (only an INCR burst can).
  function automatic bit crosses_4k(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst);
    if (burst != INCR) return 0;
    return (beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, 0) / 4096) != ((beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, len) + (1 << size) - 1) / 4096);
  endfunction
endpackage
Read included file: axi_mem.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_mem.sv: an AXI4 subordinate with a byte-addressed memory behind it (read-only in this lesson).
// It accepts requests on AW and AR, write beats on W (before or after their AW), writes the bytes a
// burst addresses using the strobes, and answers on B and R after a latency. The switches below are
// plain variables: the stimulus sets them by name (mem.reorder = 1;) before it starts.
//   rd_latency, wr_latency   cycles from a request (or its last write beat) to its first response
//   slow_latency, slow_above addresses at or above slow_above answer after slow_latency instead
//   err_above                addresses at or above err_above get SLVERR (and are not written)
//   reorder                  answer transactions with DIFFERENT IDs as soon as each is ready;
//                            transactions with the same ID still answer in order
//   interleave               interleave the read data beats of ready transactions with different IDs
//   excl_on                  support exclusive access (one monitor per ID), else answer OKAY
//   posted                   apply a write to the memory only when its response is sent, so a read
//                            that arrives between the last beat and B still sees the old bytes
//   trace                    print every byte the memory writes
// Broken twins, each off by default: early_b (B before the last write beat and before AW),
// ignore_strobes (write every lane of the bus word), drop_hold (RDATA changes while RVALID waits
// for RREADY), reorder_same_id (a later transaction with the same ID may answer first),
// wrap_bug (a WRAP burst addressed like INCR).
module axi_mem #(parameter int DATA_W = 32, parameter int ID_W = 4, parameter int DEPTH = 65536) (
  input  logic              aclk,
  input  logic              aresetn,
  input  logic [ID_W-1:0]   awid,
  input  logic [31:0]       awaddr,
  input  logic [7:0]        awlen,
  input  logic [2:0]        awsize,
  input  logic [1:0]        awburst,
  input  logic              awlock,
  input  logic [3:0]        awcache,
  input  logic [2:0]        awprot,
  input  logic              awvalid,
  output logic              awready,
  input  logic [DATA_W-1:0] wdata,
  input  logic [DATA_W/8-1:0] wstrb,
  input  logic              wlast,
  input  logic              wvalid,
  output logic              wready,
  output logic [ID_W-1:0]   bid,
  output logic [1:0]        bresp,
  output logic              bvalid,
  input  logic              bready,
  input  logic [ID_W-1:0]   arid,
  input  logic [31:0]       araddr,
  input  logic [7:0]        arlen,
  input  logic [2:0]        arsize,
  input  logic [1:0]        arburst,
  input  logic              arlock,
  input  logic [3:0]        arcache,
  input  logic [2:0]        arprot,
  input  logic              arvalid,
  output logic              arready,
  output logic [ID_W-1:0]   rid,
  output logic [DATA_W-1:0] rdata,
  output logic [1:0]        rresp,
  output logic              rlast,
  output logic              rvalid,
  input  logic              rready
);
  import axi_pkg::*;
  localparam int BUS = DATA_W / 8;
  localparam int N = 16;                      // transactions in flight per direction

  // ---- switches ----
  int rd_latency = 2, wr_latency = 2, slow_latency = 8;
  int unsigned slow_above = 32'hffff_ffff, err_above = 32'hffff_ffff;
  bit reorder = 0, interleave = 0, excl_on = 0, posted = 0, trace = 0;
  bit early_b = 0, ignore_strobes = 0, drop_hold = 0, reorder_same_id = 0, wrap_bug = 0;

  // ---- the memory ----
  logic [7:0] mem [0:DEPTH-1];
  initial for (int i = 0; i < DEPTH; i++) mem[i] = 8'h00;

  int cycle = -1;
  int seq = 0;                                // every request gets a sequence number: issue order

  // ---- write side: accepted AW requests (a ring) and write beats (a ring) ----
  logic [ID_W-1:0] aw_id [0:N-1];
  int unsigned     aw_addr [0:N-1];
  int              aw_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]      aw_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      aw_burst [0:N-1];
  logic            aw_lock [0:N-1];
  int aw_head = 0, aw_tail = 0, aw_count = 0;
  localparam int WQ = 1024;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] w_data [0:WQ-1];
  logic [BUS-1:0]    w_strb [0:WQ-1];
  logic              w_last [0:WQ-1];
  int w_head = 0, w_tail = 0, w_count = 0, w_bursts = 0;   // w_bursts: complete bursts in the ring

  // ---- write responses waiting for their latency ----
  logic            b_use [0:N-1];
  logic [ID_W-1:0] b_id [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      b_rsp [0:N-1];
  int              b_at [0:N-1], b_seq [0:N-1];
  logic            b_driving = 0;
  logic            early_done = 0;            // the early_b twin answers once per burst
  // posted writes: the beats of a write kept until its response goes out
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] p_data [0:N-1][0:255];
  logic [BUS-1:0]    p_strb [0:N-1][0:255];
  int unsigned       p_addr [0:N-1];
  int                p_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]        p_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]        p_burst [0:N-1];
  logic              p_pending [0:N-1];

  // ---- read side: accepted AR requests with their progress ----
  logic            r_use [0:N-1];
  logic [ID_W-1:0] r_id [0:N-1];
  int unsigned     r_addr [0:N-1];
  int              r_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]      r_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      r_burst [0:N-1];
  logic            r_lock [0:N-1];
  int              r_at [0:N-1], r_seq [0:N-1], r_beat [0:N-1], r_served [0:N-1];
  int              r_cur = -1;                // the transaction whose beat is on the wires
  logic            r_driving = 0;

  // ---- exclusive monitors, one per ID ----
  logic        mon_use [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int unsigned mon_addr [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int unsigned mon_bytes [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];

  initial begin
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) begin b_use[i] = 0; r_use[i] = 0; p_pending[i] = 0; end
    for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++) mon_use[i] = 0;
    awready = 0; wready = 0; arready = 0; bvalid = 0; rvalid = 0; bid = 0; bresp = 0; rid = 0; rresp = 0; rlast = 0; rdata = 0;
  end

  function automatic int latency_of(input int unsigned a, input int base);
    return (a >= slow_above) ? slow_latency : base;
  endfunction
  function automatic logic [1:0] burst_used(input logic [1:0] b);
    return (wrap_bug && b == WRAP) ? INCR : b;
  endfunction

  // ---- selection policies ----
  // The oldest of all pending entries, or the oldest of its ID: the in-order rule of the protocol.
  function automatic bit b_oldest(input int i, input bit same_id_only);
    for (int j = 0; j < N; j++)
      if (b_use[j] && j != i && b_seq[j] < b_seq[i] && (!same_id_only || b_id[j] == b_id[i])) return 0;
    return 1;
  endfunction
  function automatic bit r_oldest(input int i, input bit same_id_only);
    for (int j = 0; j < N; j++)
      if (r_use[j] && j != i && r_seq[j] < r_seq[i] && (!same_id_only || r_id[j] == r_id[i])) return 0;
    return 1;
  endfunction
  function automatic bit b_eligible(input int i);
    if (!b_use[i] || b_at[i] > cycle) return 0;
    if (!reorder) return b_oldest(i, 0);
    return reorder_same_id ? 1 : b_oldest(i, 1);
  endfunction
  function automatic bit r_eligible(input int i);
    if (!r_use[i] || r_at[i] > cycle) return 0;
    if (!reorder) return r_oldest(i, 0);
    return reorder_same_id ? 1 : r_oldest(i, 1);
  endfunction
  function automatic int free_b();
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (!b_use[i]) return i;
    return -1;
  endfunction
  function automatic int free_r();
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (!r_use[i]) return i;
    return -1;
  endfunction
  function automatic int pick_b();
    int best = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (b_eligible(i) && (best < 0 || b_seq[i] < b_seq[best])) best = i;
    return best;
  endfunction
  function automatic int pick_r();
    int best = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (r_eligible(i)) begin
      if (best < 0) best = i;
      else if (interleave ? (r_served[i] < r_served[best]) : (r_seq[i] < r_seq[best])) best = i;
    end
    return best;
  endfunction

  // ---- the bytes of one read beat, as the bus word that holds them ----
  function automatic logic [DATA_W-1:0] read_word(input int unsigned a);
    logic [DATA_W-1:0] d = 0;
    int unsigned word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
    for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++) d[8*l +: 8] = (word + l < DEPTH) ? mem[word + l] : 8'h00;
    return d;
  endfunction

  // ---- the write of one complete burst into the memory ----
  task automatic write_burst(input int e);
    logic [1:0]  rsp = OKAY;
    logic        do_write = 1, ended = 0;
    int unsigned a, word;
    logic [15:0] lanes;
    int          n = 0, slot;
    int unsigned total = (1 << aw_size[e]) * (aw_len[e] + 1);
    slot = free_b();
    if (aw_lock[e] && excl_on) begin
      if (mon_use[aw_id[e]] && mon_addr[aw_id[e]] == aw_addr[e]) begin
        rsp = EXOKAY;
        $display("mem e%0d: exclusive write id=%0d at 0x%0h: the monitor matched, EXOKAY", cycle, aw_id[e], aw_addr[e]);
      end else begin
        do_write = 0;
        $display("mem e%0d: exclusive write id=%0d at 0x%0h: no monitor, OKAY and nothing written", cycle, aw_id[e], aw_addr[e]);
      end
    end
    while (!ended && n <= aw_len[e]) begin
      a = beat_addr(aw_addr[e], aw_len[e], aw_size[e], burst_used(aw_burst[e]), n);
      lanes = beat_lanes(aw_addr[e], aw_len[e], aw_size[e], burst_used(aw_burst[e]), n, BUS);
      word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
      if (a >= err_above) rsp = SLVERR;
      else if (do_write && posted && slot >= 0) begin
        p_data[slot][n] = w_data[w_head]; p_strb[slot][n] = w_strb[w_head];
      end else if (do_write) begin
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++)
          if ((w_strb[w_head][l] || ignore_strobes) && word + l < DEPTH) begin
            mem[word + l] = w_data[w_head][8*l +: 8];
            if (trace) $display("mem e%0d: beat %0d writes 0x%02h to 0x%0h (lane %0d)", cycle, n, w_data[w_head][8*l +: 8], word + l, l);
          end
      end
      ended = w_last[w_head];                      // a burst ends at its WLAST, whatever AWLEN said
      w_head = (w_head + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count - 1;
      n = n + 1;
    end
    while (!ended) begin                           // beats past AWLEN (a broken manager) are dropped
      ended = w_last[w_head];
      w_head = (w_head + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count - 1;
    end
    // A write clears every monitor that watches a byte it touched.
    if (do_write)
      for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++)
        if (mon_use[i] && mon_addr[i] < aw_addr[e] + total && aw_addr[e] < mon_addr[i] + mon_bytes[i]) mon_use[i] = 0;
    if (slot >= 0) begin
      b_use[slot] = 1; b_id[slot] = aw_id[e]; b_rsp[slot] = rsp; b_seq[slot] = seq; seq = seq + 1;
      b_at[slot] = cycle + latency_of(aw_addr[e], wr_latency);
      if (posted && do_write) begin
        p_pending[slot] = 1; p_addr[slot] = aw_addr[e]; p_len[slot] = n - 1; p_size[slot] = aw_size[e]; p_burst[slot] = aw_burst[e];
      end
    end
  endtask

  // A posted write reaches the memory when its response goes out.
  task automatic apply_posted(input int i);
    int unsigned a, word;
    for (int n = 0; n <= p_len[i]; n++) begin
      a = beat_addr(p_addr[i], p_len[i], p_size[i], burst_used(p_burst[i]), n);
      word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
      if (a < err_above)
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++)
          if ((p_strb[i][n][l] || ignore_strobes) && word + l < DEPTH) begin
            mem[word + l] = p_data[i][n][8*l +: 8];
            if (trace) $display("mem e%0d: posted beat %0d writes 0x%02h to 0x%0h (lane %0d)", cycle, n, p_data[i][n][8*l +: 8], word + l, l);
          end
    end
    p_pending[i] = 0;
  endtask

  int pick, extra;
  always @(posedge aclk) begin
    cycle = cycle + 1;
    if (!aresetn) begin
      aw_head = 0; aw_tail = 0; aw_count = 0; w_head = 0; w_tail = 0; w_count = 0; w_bursts = 0;
      for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) begin b_use[i] = 0; r_use[i] = 0; end
      b_driving = 0; r_driving = 0; r_cur = -1;
      awready <= 0; wready <= 0; arready <= 0; bvalid <= 0; rvalid <= 0;
    end else begin
      // -- AW: take a request while there is room --
      if (awvalid && awready) begin
        aw_id[aw_tail] = awid; aw_addr[aw_tail] = awaddr; aw_len[aw_tail] = awlen; aw_size[aw_tail] = awsize;
        aw_burst[aw_tail] = awburst; aw_lock[aw_tail] = awlock;
        aw_tail = (aw_tail + 1) % N; aw_count = aw_count + 1;
      end
      // -- W: take a beat while there is room --
      if (wvalid && wready) begin
        w_data[w_tail] = wdata; w_strb[w_tail] = wstrb; w_last[w_tail] = wlast;
        w_tail = (w_tail + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count + 1;
        if (wlast) w_bursts = w_bursts + 1;
      end
      // -- a complete burst with its request: write it and schedule B --
      if (aw_count > 0 && w_bursts > 0) begin
        write_burst(aw_head);
        aw_head = (aw_head + 1) % N; aw_count = aw_count - 1; w_bursts = w_bursts - 1;
        early_done = 0;
      end else if (early_b && !early_done && w_count > 0 && w_bursts == 0) begin
        // The broken twin: a response as soon as the first write beat arrived, before WLAST and,
        // when the data came first, before the address.
        pick = free_b();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          b_use[pick] = 1; b_id[pick] = (aw_count > 0) ? aw_id[aw_head] : awid; b_rsp[pick] = OKAY; b_seq[pick] = seq; seq = seq + 1; b_at[pick] = cycle;
          early_done = 1;
        end
      end
      // -- B: finish a handshake, then put the next response on the wires --
      if (b_driving && bready) b_driving = 0;
      if (!b_driving) begin
        pick = pick_b();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          if (p_pending[pick]) apply_posted(pick);
          b_driving = 1; bid <= b_id[pick]; bresp <= b_rsp[pick]; b_use[pick] = 0;
        end
      end
      bvalid <= b_driving;
      // -- AR: take a request while there is room --
      if (arvalid && arready) begin
        pick = free_r();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          r_use[pick] = 1; r_id[pick] = arid; r_addr[pick] = araddr; r_len[pick] = arlen; r_size[pick] = arsize; r_burst[pick] = arburst;
          r_lock[pick] = arlock; r_beat[pick] = 0; r_seq[pick] = seq; seq = seq + 1; r_served[pick] = -1;
          r_at[pick] = cycle + latency_of(araddr, rd_latency);
          if (arlock && excl_on) begin
            mon_use[arid] = 1; mon_addr[arid] = araddr; mon_bytes[arid] = (1 << arsize) * (arlen + 1);
            $display("mem e%0d: exclusive read id=%0d at 0x%0h: monitor set", cycle, arid, araddr);
          end
        end
      end
      // -- R: finish a handshake, then put the next beat on the wires --
      if (r_driving && !rready && drop_hold) rdata <= rdata + 1;   // the broken twin: data not held
      if (r_driving && rready) begin
        r_driving = 0;
        if (r_beat[r_cur] > r_len[r_cur]) begin r_use[r_cur] = 0; r_cur = -1; end
        else if (interleave) r_cur = -1;
      end
      if (!r_driving) begin
        pick = (r_cur >= 0) ? r_cur : pick_r();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          r_cur = pick; r_driving = 1; r_served[pick] = cycle;
          extra = r_beat[pick];
          rid <= r_id[pick];
          rdata <= read_word(beat_addr(r_addr[pick], r_len[pick], r_size[pick], burst_used(r_burst[pick]), extra));
          rresp <= (beat_addr(r_addr[pick], r_len[pick], r_size[pick], burst_used(r_burst[pick]), extra) >= err_above) ? SLVERR
                 : ((r_lock[pick] && excl_on) ? EXOKAY : OKAY);
          rlast <= (extra == r_len[pick]);
          r_beat[pick] = extra + 1;
        end
      end
      rvalid <= r_driving;
      awready <= (aw_count < N - 1);
      wready  <= (w_count < WQ - 2);
      arready <= 1;
    end
  end
endmodule
Read included file: axi_checker.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_checker.sv: the rules of an AXI4 interface, checked at every rising edge (read-only).
// Each broken rule is named with the channel and the edge where it was seen:
//   reset      a VALID is 1 while reset is active;
//   hold       a VALID dropped before its READY: the offer was withdrawn;
//   stable     a channel's payload changed while its offer waited;
//   known      a payload is x while its VALID is 1;
//   len        a FIXED or WRAP burst longer than 16 beats;
//   wrap       a WRAP burst whose length is not 2, 4, 8 or 16 beats or whose address is not aligned;
//   boundary   a burst that crosses a 4 KB boundary;
//   size       a transfer wider than the data bus;
//   strobe     a write strobe on a lane the beat does not address;
//   wlast      WLAST on the wrong beat (not AWLEN), or missing after it;
//   rlast      RLAST on the wrong beat of the oldest read with that ID, or missing after it;
//   border     BVALID before any outstanding write has its last beat, or before its AW;
//   bid, rid   a response ID with no outstanding request of that ID;
//   exokay     EXOKAY for a request that was not exclusive;
//   exclusive  an exclusive request whose bytes are not a power of two up to 128, or not aligned to them.
// The rules no checker can see on the wires (VALID must not wait for READY; same-ID responses
// in the order of their requests) are checked by the data the tasks compare (lessons P2.2, P2.10).
module axi_checker #(parameter int DATA_W = 32, parameter int ID_W = 4) (
  input logic              aclk,
  input logic              aresetn,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   awid,
  input logic [31:0]       awaddr,
  input logic [7:0]        awlen,
  input logic [2:0]        awsize,
  input logic [1:0]        awburst,
  input logic              awlock,
  input logic              awvalid,
  input logic              awready,
  input logic [DATA_W-1:0] wdata,
  input logic [DATA_W/8-1:0] wstrb,
  input logic              wlast,
  input logic              wvalid,
  input logic              wready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   bid,
  input logic [1:0]        bresp,
  input logic              bvalid,
  input logic              bready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   arid,
  input logic [31:0]       araddr,
  input logic [7:0]        arlen,
  input logic [2:0]        arsize,
  input logic [1:0]        arburst,
  input logic              arlock,
  input logic              arvalid,
  input logic              arready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   rid,
  input logic [DATA_W-1:0] rdata,
  input logic [1:0]        rresp,
  input logic              rlast,
  input logic              rvalid,
  input logic              rready
);
  import axi_pkg::*;
  localparam int BUS = DATA_W / 8;
  localparam int Q = 64;
  int cycle = -1, writes = 0, reads = 0, stalls = 0, broken = 0;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] used;

  function void report(input string rule, input string what);
    broken++;
    $display("RULE %s broken at edge %0d: %s", rule, cycle, what);
  endfunction

  // Previous values of every channel, for hold and stable.
  logic p_awv = 0, p_awr = 0, p_wv = 0, p_wr = 0, p_bv = 0, p_br = 0, p_arv = 0, p_arr = 0, p_rv = 0, p_rr = 0;
  logic [31:0] p_awaddr, p_araddr;
  logic [7:0] p_awlen, p_arlen;
  logic [2:0] p_awsize, p_arsize;
  logic [1:0] p_awburst, p_arburst, p_bresp, p_rresp;
  logic [ID_W-1:0] p_awid, p_arid, p_bid, p_rid;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] p_wdata, p_rdata;
  logic [BUS-1:0] p_wstrb;
  logic p_wlast, p_rlast, p_awlock, p_arlock;

  // Write requests in order (AXI4 write data follows the order of the addresses).
  int unsigned q_addr [0:Q-1];
  int q_len [0:Q-1];
  logic [2:0] q_size [0:Q-1];
  logic [1:0] q_burst [0:Q-1];
  int aw_n = 0;                 // requests accepted
  int wb_n = 0;                 // write bursts started
  int wb_done = 0;              // write bursts ended (WLAST seen)
  int w_beat = 0;               // beats so far in the current burst
  int b_n = 0;                  // responses given
  // Beats recorded for bursts that ran ahead of their AW: strobes and count, checked when AW arrives.
  logic [BUS-1:0] rec_strb [0:Q-1][0:255];
  int rec_beats [0:Q-1];
  logic rec_open [0:Q-1];
  // Outstanding requests per ID, and the read requests per ID in order.
  int aw_out [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], ar_out [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], aw_excl [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], ar_excl [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int rq_len [0:(1<<ID_W)-1][0:15];
  int rq_head [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], rq_tail [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], r_beat [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  initial for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++) begin aw_out[i] = 0; ar_out[i] = 0; aw_excl[i] = 0; ar_excl[i] = 0; rq_head[i] = 0; rq_tail[i] = 0; r_beat[i] = 0; end
  initial for (int i = 0; i < Q; i++) begin rec_beats[i] = 0; rec_open[i] = 0; end

  function automatic bit pow2_le128(input int unsigned n);
    return (n == 1 || n == 2 || n == 4 || n == 8 || n == 16 || n == 32 || n == 64 || n == 128);
  endfunction

  task automatic check_request(input string ch, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock);
    int unsigned bytes = (1 << size) * (len + 1);
    if ((burst == FIXED || burst == WRAP) && len > 15) report("len", $sformatf("%s: a %s burst of %0d beats (16 at most)", ch, burst_name(burst), len + 1));
    if (burst == WRAP && !(len == 1 || len == 3 || len == 7 || len == 15)) report("wrap", $sformatf("%s: a WRAP burst of %0d beats (2, 4, 8 or 16)", ch, len + 1));
    if (burst == WRAP && (addr % (1 << size)) != 0) report("wrap", $sformatf("%s: WRAP burst at 0x%0h is not aligned to its %0d-byte transfers", ch, addr, 1 << size));
    if (burst == 2'b11) report("len", $sformatf("%s: burst type 2'b11 is reserved", ch));
    if ((1 << size) > BUS) report("size", $sformatf("%s: %0d-byte transfers on a %0d-byte bus", ch, 1 << size, BUS));
    if (crosses_4k(addr, len, size, burst)) report("boundary", $sformatf("%s: burst at 0x%0h, %0d beats of %0d bytes, crosses a 4 KB boundary", ch, addr, len + 1, 1 << size));
    if (lock && (!pow2_le128(bytes) || (addr % bytes) != 0)) report("exclusive", $sformatf("%s: exclusive access of %0d bytes at 0x%0h (a power of two up to 128, aligned)", ch, bytes, addr));
  endtask

  task automatic check_strobe(input int k, input int n, input logic [BUS-1:0] strb);
    logic [63:0] allowed = beat_strb(q_addr[k % Q], q_len[k % Q], q_size[k % Q], q_burst[k % Q], n, BUS);
    if ((strb & ~allowed[BUS-1:0]) != 0)
      report("strobe", $sformatf("W beat %0d of write %0d: strobe %b on lanes outside %b", n, k, strb, allowed[BUS-1:0]));
  endtask

  always @(posedge aclk) begin
    cycle++;
    if (!aresetn) begin
      if (awvalid === 1 || wvalid === 1 || arvalid === 1) report("reset", "a manager VALID is 1 during reset");
      if (bvalid === 1 || rvalid === 1) report("reset", "a subordinate VALID is 1 during reset");
    end else begin
      // hold, stable and known, per channel
      if (p_awv && !p_awr && awvalid !== 1) report("hold", "AWVALID dropped before AWREADY");
      if (p_awv && !p_awr && awvalid === 1 && (awaddr !== p_awaddr || awlen !== p_awlen || awsize !== p_awsize || awburst !== p_awburst || awid !== p_awid || awlock !== p_awlock)) report("stable", "AW payload changed while the request waited");
      if (p_wv && !p_wr && wvalid !== 1) report("hold", "WVALID dropped before WREADY");
      if (p_wv && !p_wr && wvalid === 1 && (wdata !== p_wdata || wstrb !== p_wstrb || wlast !== p_wlast)) report("stable", "W payload changed while the beat waited");
      if (p_bv && !p_br && bvalid !== 1) report("hold", "BVALID dropped before BREADY");
      if (p_bv && !p_br && bvalid === 1 && (bresp !== p_bresp || bid !== p_bid)) report("stable", "B payload changed while the response waited");
      if (p_arv && !p_arr && arvalid !== 1) report("hold", "ARVALID dropped before ARREADY");
      if (p_arv && !p_arr && arvalid === 1 && (araddr !== p_araddr || arlen !== p_arlen || arsize !== p_arsize || arburst !== p_arburst || arid !== p_arid || arlock !== p_arlock)) report("stable", "AR payload changed while the request waited");
      if (p_rv && !p_rr && rvalid !== 1) report("hold", "RVALID dropped before RREADY");
      if (p_rv && !p_rr && rvalid === 1 && (rdata !== p_rdata || rresp !== p_rresp || rid !== p_rid || rlast !== p_rlast)) report("stable", "R payload changed while the beat waited");
      if (awvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(awaddr) || $isunknown(awlen) || $isunknown(awsize) || $isunknown(awburst) || $isunknown(awid))) report("known", "AW payload is x while AWVALID is 1");
      if (wvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(wstrb) || $isunknown(wlast))) report("known", "W strobe or last is x while WVALID is 1");
      else if (wvalid === 1) begin
        used = '0;
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++) if (wstrb[l] === 1) used[8*l +: 8] = 8'hff;
        if ($isunknown(wdata & used)) report("known", "W data is x on a strobed lane while WVALID is 1");
      end
      if (arvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(araddr) || $isunknown(arlen) || $isunknown(arsize) || $isunknown(arburst) || $isunknown(arid))) report("known", "AR payload is x while ARVALID is 1");
      if (bvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(bresp) || $isunknown(bid))) report("known", "B payload is x while BVALID is 1");
      if (rvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(rresp) || $isunknown(rid) || $isunknown(rlast))) report("known", "R payload is x while RVALID is 1");
      if ((awvalid === 1 && awready !== 1) || (wvalid === 1 && wready !== 1) || (arvalid === 1 && arready !== 1) ||
          (bvalid === 1 && bready !== 1) || (rvalid === 1 && rready !== 1)) stalls++;
      // AW accepted
      if (awvalid === 1 && awready === 1) begin
        check_request("AW", awaddr, awlen, awsize, awburst, awlock);
        q_addr[aw_n % Q] = awaddr; q_len[aw_n % Q] = awlen; q_size[aw_n % Q] = awsize; q_burst[aw_n % Q] = awburst;
        aw_out[awid]++; if (awlock) aw_excl[awid]++;
        // beats of this write that arrived before its address: check them now
        if (rec_beats[aw_n % Q] > 0) begin
          for (int n = 0; n < rec_beats[aw_n % Q]; n++) check_strobe(aw_n, n, rec_strb[aw_n % Q][n]);
          if (!rec_open[aw_n % Q] && rec_beats[aw_n % Q] != awlen + 1)
            report("wlast", $sformatf("write %0d sent %0d beats before its AW said AWLEN=%0d", aw_n, rec_beats[aw_n % Q], awlen));
          if (!rec_open[aw_n % Q]) rec_beats[aw_n % Q] = 0;
        end
        aw_n++;
      end
      // W beat accepted
      if (wvalid === 1 && wready === 1) begin
        if (w_beat == 0) begin wb_n++; rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; rec_open[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 1; end
        if (wb_n <= aw_n) begin
          check_strobe(wb_n - 1, w_beat, wstrb);
          if (wlast === 1 && w_beat != q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]) report("wlast", $sformatf("WLAST on beat %0d of write %0d, AWLEN=%0d", w_beat, wb_n - 1, q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]));
          if (wlast !== 1 && w_beat == q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]) report("wlast", $sformatf("beat %0d of write %0d is AWLEN=%0d but WLAST is 0", w_beat, wb_n - 1, q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]));
        end else begin
          rec_strb[(wb_n - 1) % Q][w_beat] = wstrb;
        end
        rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = w_beat + 1;
        w_beat++;
        if (wlast === 1) begin w_beat = 0; wb_done++; rec_open[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; if (wb_n <= aw_n) rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; end
      end
      // B offered or accepted
      if (bvalid === 1 && !p_bv) begin
        if (b_n >= aw_n && b_n >= wb_done) report("border", "BVALID with no write to answer: neither an AW nor a WLAST is outstanding");
        else if (b_n >= wb_done) report("border", "BVALID before the last beat of the write it answers");
        else if (b_n >= aw_n) report("border", "BVALID before the AW of the write it answers was accepted");
      end
      if (bvalid === 1 && bready === 1) begin
        if (aw_out[bid] == 0) report("bid", $sformatf("B with id %0d, which has no outstanding write", bid));
        else begin
          aw_out[bid]--; writes++;
          if (bresp === EXOKAY && aw_excl[bid] == 0) report("exokay", $sformatf("EXOKAY for write id %0d, which was not exclusive", bid));
          if (aw_excl[bid] > 0 && aw_excl[bid] > aw_out[bid]) aw_excl[bid] = aw_out[bid];
        end
        b_n++;
      end
      // AR accepted
      if (arvalid === 1 && arready === 1) begin
        check_request("AR", araddr, arlen, arsize, arburst, arlock);
        rq_len[arid][rq_tail[arid]] = arlen; rq_tail[arid] = (rq_tail[arid] + 1) % 16;
        ar_out[arid]++; if (arlock) ar_excl[arid]++;
      end
      // R beat accepted
      if (rvalid === 1 && rready === 1) begin
        if (ar_out[rid] == 0) report("rid", $sformatf("R with id %0d, which has no outstanding read", rid));
        else begin
          if (rlast === 1 && r_beat[rid] != rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]])
            report("rlast", $sformatf("RLAST on beat %0d of the oldest read with id %0d, whose ARLEN is %0d", r_beat[rid], rid, rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]]));
          if (rlast !== 1 && r_beat[rid] == rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]])
            report("rlast", $sformatf("beat %0d of the oldest read with id %0d is its ARLEN but RLAST is 0", r_beat[rid], rid));
          if (rresp === EXOKAY && ar_excl[rid] == 0) report("exokay", $sformatf("EXOKAY for read id %0d, which was not exclusive", rid));
          r_beat[rid]++;
          if (rlast === 1) begin
            r_beat[rid] = 0; rq_head[rid] = (rq_head[rid] + 1) % 16; ar_out[rid]--; reads++;
            if (ar_excl[rid] > ar_out[rid]) ar_excl[rid] = ar_out[rid];
          end
        end
      end
    end
    p_awv = (awvalid === 1); p_awr = (awready === 1); p_wv = (wvalid === 1); p_wr = (wready === 1);
    p_bv = (bvalid === 1); p_br = (bready === 1); p_arv = (arvalid === 1); p_arr = (arready === 1);
    p_rv = (rvalid === 1); p_rr = (rready === 1);
    p_awaddr = awaddr; p_awlen = awlen; p_awsize = awsize; p_awburst = awburst; p_awid = awid; p_awlock = awlock;
    p_wdata = wdata; p_wstrb = wstrb; p_wlast = wlast; p_bresp = bresp; p_bid = bid;
    p_araddr = araddr; p_arlen = arlen; p_arsize = arsize; p_arburst = arburst; p_arid = arid; p_arlock = arlock;
    p_rdata = rdata; p_rresp = rresp; p_rid = rid; p_rlast = rlast;
  end
  final $display("checker: %0d writes, %0d reads, %0d stalled edges, %0d rules broken", writes, reads, stalls, broken);
endmodule
Read included file: axi_tasks.svh
// axi_tasks.svh: the manager side of the bench, as tasks for the stimulus (read-only).
// Data for a write burst goes in wd[0], wd[1], ... (one entry per beat, the lowest byte at the
// lowest address); the data of a read comes back in rd[0], rd[1], ... with its responses in rr[].
// Every task prints the beat log: one line per handshake, with the edge where it happened.
// `cycle` counts rising edges from 0.
int cycle = -1;
always @(posedge aclk) cycle = cycle + 1;

logic [63:0] wd [0:255];
logic [63:0] rd [0:255];
logic [1:0]  rr [0:255];
logic [63:0] rdq [0:15][0:255];     // read data per ID, for reads collected out of order
logic [1:0]  rrq [0:15][0:255];
int          rdn [0:15];            // beats received per ID
logic [1:0]  last_bresp = 0;
int          last_beats = 0;
// What the task is driving right now, for the waveform scenes: the address and lanes of the beat.
int unsigned beat_a = 0;
logic [7:0]  beat_m = 0;
// quiet = 1 silences the beat log (a predict item can then ask for a dump line instead).
bit          quiet = 0;
// Strobe override: when strb_force is 1, every write beat uses strb_val as it is.
bit          strb_force = 0;
logic [7:0]  strb_val = 8'hff;
// Outstanding read requests per ID, so the tasks know the lanes of the beats that come back.
int unsigned arq_addr [0:15][0:7];
int          arq_len [0:15][0:7];
logic [2:0]  arq_size [0:15][0:7];
logic [1:0]  arq_burst [0:15][0:7];
int          arq_head [0:15], arq_tail [0:15];
initial for (int i = 0; i < 16; i++) begin arq_head[i] = 0; arq_tail[i] = 0; rdn[i] = 0; end
// READY patterns for the response channels: bit (cycle % 16) of the pattern drives the signal.
bit          rpat_on = 0, bpat_on = 0;
logic [15:0] rpat = 16'hffff, bpat = 16'hffff;
always @(posedge aclk) begin
  #1;
  if (rpat_on) rready = rpat[cycle % 16];
  if (bpat_on) bready = bpat[cycle % 16];
end

// A text waveform for the lesson's trace blocks: with watch = 1, one line per rising edge with the
// values sampled at that edge (cycle k of a trace is what edge k sees).
bit watch = 0;
int wave_edge = -1;
always @(posedge aclk) begin
  wave_edge = wave_edge + 1;
  if (watch) $display("wave e%0d: aw=%b%b w=%b%b b=%b%b ar=%b%b r=%b%b awaddr=%h wdata=%h wstrb=%b wlast=%b bid=%h bresp=%b araddr=%h rid=%h rdata=%h rresp=%b rlast=%b",
                      wave_edge, awvalid, awready, wvalid, wready, bvalid, bready, arvalid, arready, rvalid, rready,
                      awaddr, wdata, wstrb, wlast, bid, bresp, araddr, rid, rdata, rresp, rlast);
end

// Drive RREADY (ch = 0) or BREADY (ch = 1) from a 16-bit pattern; 16'hffff restores always ready.
task automatic ready_pattern(input int ch, input logic [15:0] pat);
  if (ch == 0) begin rpat = pat; rpat_on = 1; rready = pat[cycle % 16]; end
  else begin bpat = pat; bpat_on = 1; bready = pat[cycle % 16]; end
endtask

// The write address channel: offer the request and hold it until it is taken.
task automatic aw_issue(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  awid = id; awaddr = addr; awlen = len[7:0]; awsize = size; awburst = burst; awlock = lock; awvalid = 1;
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!awready);
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d AW id=%0d addr=0x%0h len=%0d size=%0d %0s%0s", cycle, id, addr, len, size, burst_name(burst), lock ? " exclusive" : "");
  awvalid = 0; awaddr = 'x; awlen = 'x; awsize = 'x; awburst = 'x; awid = 'x; awlock = 0;
endtask

// The write data channel: the beats of one burst from wd[first..], each placed in its lanes.
task automatic w_burst(input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst, input int first = 0);
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  for (int n = 0; n <= len; n++) begin
    lanes = beat_lanes(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    beat_a = beat_addr(addr, len, size, burst, n);
    beat_m = strb_force ? strb_val : beat_strb(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    wdata = wd[first + n] << (8 * lanes[7:0]);
    wstrb = beat_m[BUS_BYTES-1:0];
    wlast = (n == len);
    wvalid = 1;
    do @(posedge aclk); while (!wready);
    #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d W  beat %0d data=0x%0h strb=%b last=%0d  addr 0x%0h lanes %0d-%0d", cycle, n, wdata, wstrb, wlast, beat_a, lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8]);
  end
  wvalid = 0; wdata = 'x; wstrb = 'x; wlast = 0; beat_m = 0;
endtask

// Wait for the write response of one transaction with this ID.
task automatic b_wait(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id);
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!(bvalid && bready && bid == id));
  last_bresp = bresp;                       // sampled at the edge, before the subordinate moves on
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d B  id=%0d %0s", cycle, id, resp_name(last_bresp));
endtask

// A complete write. order 0 offers the address, then the first beat one cycle later whether or
// not the address has been taken yet (a manager must never make WVALID wait for AWREADY); 1 offers
// the beats first and the address after beat 0; 2 offers the address and beat 0 in the same cycle.
// Returns after B, with the response in last_bresp.
task automatic axi_write(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                         input logic [1:0] burst, input int order = 0, input logic lock = 0);
  case (order)
    1: fork
         w_burst(addr, len, size, burst);
         begin @(posedge aclk); #1 aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock); end
       join
    2: fork
         aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
         w_burst(addr, len, size, burst);
       join
    default: fork
         aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
         begin @(posedge aclk); #1 w_burst(addr, len, size, burst); end
       join
  endcase
  b_wait(id);
endtask

// The read address channel: offer the request and remember it for the beats that come back.
task automatic ar_issue(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  arq_addr[id][arq_tail[id]] = addr; arq_len[id][arq_tail[id]] = len; arq_size[id][arq_tail[id]] = size;
  arq_burst[id][arq_tail[id]] = burst; arq_tail[id] = (arq_tail[id] + 1) % 8;
  arid = id; araddr = addr; arlen = len[7:0]; arsize = size; arburst = burst; arlock = lock; arvalid = 1;
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!arready);
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d AR id=%0d addr=0x%0h len=%0d size=%0d %0s%0s", cycle, id, addr, len, size, burst_name(burst), lock ? " exclusive" : "");
  arvalid = 0; araddr = 'x; arlen = 'x; arsize = 'x; arburst = 'x; arid = 'x; arlock = 0;
endtask

// Collect read beats until n transactions have ended (their RLAST). Each beat lands in rdq[rid][k]
// with only the bytes of the transfer (lane-shifted down), and rd[] holds the last transaction.
task automatic r_collect(input int n);
  int done = 0, h;
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  logic [63:0] bytes;
  logic [ID_W-1:0] id;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] data;
  logic [1:0] resp;
  logic last;
  while (done < n) begin
    do @(posedge aclk); while (!(rvalid && rready));
    id = rid; data = rdata; resp = rresp; last = rlast;   // sampled at the edge, before the subordinate moves on
    h = arq_head[id];
    lanes = beat_lanes(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id], BUS_BYTES);
    beat_a = beat_addr(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id]);
    beat_m = beat_strb(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id], BUS_BYTES);
    bytes = (data >> (8 * lanes[7:0])) & ((64'h1 << (8 * (lanes[15:8] - lanes[7:0] + 1))) - 1);
    rdq[id][rdn[id]] = bytes; rrq[id][rdn[id]] = resp;
    #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d R  id=%0d beat %0d data=0x%0h %0s%0s  addr 0x%0h lanes %0d-%0d", cycle, id, rdn[id], bytes, resp_name(resp),
                last ? " last" : "", beat_a, lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8]);
    rdn[id] = rdn[id] + 1;
    if (last) begin
      for (int k = 0; k < rdn[id]; k++) begin rd[k] = rdq[id][k]; rr[k] = rrq[id][k]; end
      last_beats = rdn[id]; rdn[id] = 0; arq_head[id] = (h + 1) % 8; done = done + 1;
    end
  end
  beat_m = 0;
endtask

// A complete read: AR, then every beat, into rd[] and rr[].
task automatic axi_read(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  ar_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
  r_collect(1);
endtask

// The table of a burst before it runs: the address, lanes and strobe of every beat.
task automatic beat_table(input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst);
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  logic [63:0] s;
  int unsigned a;
  $display("burst at 0x%0h: %0d beat%0s of %0d byte%0s, %0s, bus %0d bytes", addr, len + 1, len ? "s" : "", 1 << size, size ? "s" : "",
           burst_name(burst), BUS_BYTES);
  $display("  beat  address  lanes  strobe");
  for (int n = 0; n <= len; n++) begin
    lanes = beat_lanes(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    s = beat_strb(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    a = beat_addr(addr, len, size, burst, n);
    $display("  %4d  0x%05h  %0d-%0d    %b", n, a[19:0], lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8], s[BUS_BYTES-1:0]);
  end
  if (crosses_4k(addr, len, size, burst)) $display("  this burst crosses a 4 KB boundary");
endtask

// One byte of the memory that owns an address (the fabric's second memory above 0x8000).
function automatic logic [7:0] mem_byte(input int unsigned a);
`ifdef AXI_MEM1
  if (a >= 32'h8000) return `AXI_MEM1.mem[a];
`endif
  return `AXI_MEM.mem[a];
endfunction
task automatic set_byte(input int unsigned a, input logic [7:0] v);
`ifdef AXI_MEM1
  if (a >= 32'h8000) `AXI_MEM1.mem[a] = v;
  else `AXI_MEM.mem[a] = v;
`else
  `AXI_MEM.mem[a] = v;
`endif
endtask

// The memory, n bytes from addr, one bus word per group.
task automatic dump(input int unsigned addr, input int n);
  string line;
  int unsigned a = (addr / 16) * 16;
  while (a < addr + n) begin
    line = $sformatf("0x%05h ", a[19:0]);
    for (int i = 0; i < 16; i++) begin
      if (i % BUS_BYTES == 0) line = {line, " "};
      line = {line, $sformatf(" %02h", mem_byte(a + i))};
    end
    $display("%s", line);
    a = a + 16;
  end
endtask

// Fill n bytes from addr with first, first+1, ... so untouched bytes stay recognisable.
task automatic mem_fill(input int unsigned addr, input int n, input logic [7:0] first = 8'h00);
  for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) set_byte(addr + i, first + i[7:0]);
endtask

// Drive nothing for n cycles.
task automatic idle(input int n);
  repeat (n) @(posedge aclk);
  #1;
endtask

Check yourself

Predict the outputA write of eight 4-byte beats, INCR, starts at 0x0fe0 and is driven by hand with every beat accepted at once. The memory behaves. The checker prints one summary line at the end; a broken rule would add a line before it. What is printed?
`timescale 1ns/1ps
module tb;
  import axi_pkg::*;
  localparam int DATA_W = 32, ID_W = 4, BUS_BYTES = DATA_W / 8;
  logic aclk = 0, aresetn = 0;
  always #5 aclk = ~aclk;                 // rising edges at 5, 15, 25, ...
  logic [ID_W-1:0]   awid = 0, bid, arid = 0, rid;
  logic [31:0]       awaddr = 0, araddr = 0;
  logic [7:0]        awlen = 0, arlen = 0;
  logic [2:0]        awsize = 0, arsize = 0;
  logic [1:0]        awburst = 0, arburst = 0, bresp, rresp;
  logic              awlock = 0, arlock = 0;
  logic [3:0]        awcache = 0, arcache = 0;
  logic [2:0]        awprot = 0, arprot = 0;
  logic              awvalid = 0, awready, wvalid = 0, wready, wlast = 0, bvalid, bready = 1;
  logic              arvalid = 0, arready, rvalid, rlast, rready = 1;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] wdata = 0, rdata;
  logic [DATA_W/8-1:0] wstrb = 0;
  axi_mem #(.DATA_W(DATA_W), .ID_W(ID_W)) mem (.aclk(aclk), .aresetn(aresetn), .awid(awid), .awaddr(awaddr), .awlen(awlen), .awsize(awsize), .awburst(awburst), .awlock(awlock), .awcache(awcache), .awprot(awprot), .awvalid(awvalid), .awready(awready), .wdata(wdata), .wstrb(wstrb), .wlast(wlast), .wvalid(wvalid), .wready(wready), .bid(bid), .bresp(bresp), .bvalid(bvalid), .bready(bready), .arid(arid), .araddr(araddr), .arlen(arlen), .arsize(arsize), .arburst(arburst), .arlock(arlock), .arcache(arcache), .arprot(arprot), .arvalid(arvalid), .arready(arready), .rid(rid), .rdata(rdata), .rresp(rresp), .rlast(rlast), .rvalid(rvalid), .rready(rready));
  `define AXI_MEM mem
  axi_checker #(.DATA_W(DATA_W), .ID_W(ID_W)) chk (.aclk(aclk), .aresetn(aresetn), .awid(awid), .awaddr(awaddr), .awlen(awlen), .awsize(awsize), .awburst(awburst), .awlock(awlock), .awvalid(awvalid), .awready(awready), .wdata(wdata), .wstrb(wstrb), .wlast(wlast), .wvalid(wvalid), .wready(wready), .bid(bid), .bresp(bresp), .bvalid(bvalid), .bready(bready), .arid(arid), .araddr(araddr), .arlen(arlen), .arsize(arsize), .arburst(arburst), .arlock(arlock), .arvalid(arvalid), .arready(arready), .rid(rid), .rdata(rdata), .rresp(rresp), .rlast(rlast), .rvalid(rvalid), .rready(rready));
  `include "axi_tasks.svh"

  initial begin

    repeat (2) @(posedge aclk); #1 aresetn = 1;   // reset released after edge 1
    @(posedge aclk); #1;                          // the first request may start after edge 2
    // One write of eight 4-byte beats, INCR, starting at 0x0fe0, driven by hand.
    awid = 1; awaddr = 32'h0fe0; awlen = 7; awsize = 2; awburst = INCR; awvalid = 1;
    @(posedge aclk); #1 awvalid = 0; awaddr = 'x; awlen = 'x; awsize = 'x; awburst = 'x; awid = 'x;
    for (int k = 0; k < 8; k++) begin
      wdata = 32'h10 + k; wstrb = 4'b1111; wlast = (k == 7); wvalid = 1;
      @(posedge aclk); #1;
    end
    wvalid = 0; wdata = 'x; wstrb = 'x; wlast = 0;
    repeat (6) @(posedge aclk); #1;
    repeat (3) @(posedge aclk);
    $finish;
  end
endmodule
Read included file: axi_pkg.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_pkg.sv: the arithmetic of a burst (read-only).
// Every transfer n of a burst has an address and a set of byte lanes, computed from the start
// address, the burst length, the transfer size and the burst type exactly as the AXI specification
// defines them. The memory, the manager tasks and the checker all use these functions, so they
// never disagree about where a byte lands.
package axi_pkg;
  localparam logic [1:0] FIXED = 2'b00, INCR = 2'b01, WRAP = 2'b10;
  localparam logic [1:0] OKAY = 2'b00, EXOKAY = 2'b01, SLVERR = 2'b10, DECERR = 2'b11;

  function automatic string burst_name(input logic [1:0] b);
    case (b) FIXED: return "FIXED"; INCR: return "INCR"; WRAP: return "WRAP"; default: return "RESERVED"; endcase
  endfunction
  function automatic string resp_name(input logic [1:0] r);
    case (r) OKAY: return "OKAY"; EXOKAY: return "EXOKAY"; SLVERR: return "SLVERR"; default: return "DECERR"; endcase
  endfunction

  // Bytes in one transfer: 1, 2, 4, ... 128.
  function automatic int bytes_of(input logic [2:0] size);
    return 1 << size;
  endfunction

  // The address of transfer n (n counts from 0).
  //   transfer 0 uses the start address as given, aligned or not;
  //   later transfers use the start address aligned down to the transfer size, plus n transfers;
  //   a WRAP burst returns to its wrap boundary (the start aligned down to the whole burst) when
  //   it reaches the end of that window; a FIXED burst repeats the start address.
  function automatic int unsigned beat_addr(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                            input logic [1:0] burst, input int n);
    int unsigned nb = 1 << size;
    int unsigned aligned = (start / nb) * nb;
    int unsigned window = nb * (len + 1);
    int unsigned boundary = (start / window) * window;
    int unsigned a;
    if (burst == FIXED || n == 0) return start;
    a = aligned + n * nb;
    if (burst == WRAP && a >= boundary + window) a = a - window;
    return a;
  endfunction

  // The byte lanes transfer n uses on a bus of bus_bytes bytes, packed as {upper, lower}.
  // Transfer 0 of an unaligned burst (and every transfer of a FIXED burst) uses only the lanes from
  // its address up to the end of its aligned transfer; every other transfer uses all the lanes of
  // its size.
  function automatic logic [15:0] beat_lanes(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                             input logic [1:0] burst, input int n, input int bus_bytes);
    int unsigned nb = 1 << size;
    int unsigned a = beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, n);
    int unsigned aligned = (a / nb) * nb;
    int unsigned word = (a / bus_bytes) * bus_bytes;
    int lower = a - word;
    int upper = (n == 0 || burst == FIXED) ? (aligned + nb - 1 - word) : (lower + nb - 1);
    return {upper[7:0], lower[7:0]};
  endfunction

  // The strobe of transfer n: a 1 for every lane it uses (bit l is lane l).
  function automatic logic [63:0] beat_strb(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                            input logic [1:0] burst, input int n, input int bus_bytes);
    logic [15:0] lanes = beat_lanes(start, len, size, burst, n, bus_bytes);
    logic [63:0] s = 0;
    for (int l = lanes[7:0]; l <= lanes[15:8]; l++) s[l] = 1'b1;
    return s;
  endfunction

  // True when the burst crosses a 4 KB boundary (only an INCR burst can).
  function automatic bit crosses_4k(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst);
    if (burst != INCR) return 0;
    return (beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, 0) / 4096) != ((beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, len) + (1 << size) - 1) / 4096);
  endfunction
endpackage
Read included file: axi_mem.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_mem.sv: an AXI4 subordinate with a byte-addressed memory behind it (read-only in this lesson).
// It accepts requests on AW and AR, write beats on W (before or after their AW), writes the bytes a
// burst addresses using the strobes, and answers on B and R after a latency. The switches below are
// plain variables: the stimulus sets them by name (mem.reorder = 1;) before it starts.
//   rd_latency, wr_latency   cycles from a request (or its last write beat) to its first response
//   slow_latency, slow_above addresses at or above slow_above answer after slow_latency instead
//   err_above                addresses at or above err_above get SLVERR (and are not written)
//   reorder                  answer transactions with DIFFERENT IDs as soon as each is ready;
//                            transactions with the same ID still answer in order
//   interleave               interleave the read data beats of ready transactions with different IDs
//   excl_on                  support exclusive access (one monitor per ID), else answer OKAY
//   posted                   apply a write to the memory only when its response is sent, so a read
//                            that arrives between the last beat and B still sees the old bytes
//   trace                    print every byte the memory writes
// Broken twins, each off by default: early_b (B before the last write beat and before AW),
// ignore_strobes (write every lane of the bus word), drop_hold (RDATA changes while RVALID waits
// for RREADY), reorder_same_id (a later transaction with the same ID may answer first),
// wrap_bug (a WRAP burst addressed like INCR).
module axi_mem #(parameter int DATA_W = 32, parameter int ID_W = 4, parameter int DEPTH = 65536) (
  input  logic              aclk,
  input  logic              aresetn,
  input  logic [ID_W-1:0]   awid,
  input  logic [31:0]       awaddr,
  input  logic [7:0]        awlen,
  input  logic [2:0]        awsize,
  input  logic [1:0]        awburst,
  input  logic              awlock,
  input  logic [3:0]        awcache,
  input  logic [2:0]        awprot,
  input  logic              awvalid,
  output logic              awready,
  input  logic [DATA_W-1:0] wdata,
  input  logic [DATA_W/8-1:0] wstrb,
  input  logic              wlast,
  input  logic              wvalid,
  output logic              wready,
  output logic [ID_W-1:0]   bid,
  output logic [1:0]        bresp,
  output logic              bvalid,
  input  logic              bready,
  input  logic [ID_W-1:0]   arid,
  input  logic [31:0]       araddr,
  input  logic [7:0]        arlen,
  input  logic [2:0]        arsize,
  input  logic [1:0]        arburst,
  input  logic              arlock,
  input  logic [3:0]        arcache,
  input  logic [2:0]        arprot,
  input  logic              arvalid,
  output logic              arready,
  output logic [ID_W-1:0]   rid,
  output logic [DATA_W-1:0] rdata,
  output logic [1:0]        rresp,
  output logic              rlast,
  output logic              rvalid,
  input  logic              rready
);
  import axi_pkg::*;
  localparam int BUS = DATA_W / 8;
  localparam int N = 16;                      // transactions in flight per direction

  // ---- switches ----
  int rd_latency = 2, wr_latency = 2, slow_latency = 8;
  int unsigned slow_above = 32'hffff_ffff, err_above = 32'hffff_ffff;
  bit reorder = 0, interleave = 0, excl_on = 0, posted = 0, trace = 0;
  bit early_b = 0, ignore_strobes = 0, drop_hold = 0, reorder_same_id = 0, wrap_bug = 0;

  // ---- the memory ----
  logic [7:0] mem [0:DEPTH-1];
  initial for (int i = 0; i < DEPTH; i++) mem[i] = 8'h00;

  int cycle = -1;
  int seq = 0;                                // every request gets a sequence number: issue order

  // ---- write side: accepted AW requests (a ring) and write beats (a ring) ----
  logic [ID_W-1:0] aw_id [0:N-1];
  int unsigned     aw_addr [0:N-1];
  int              aw_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]      aw_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      aw_burst [0:N-1];
  logic            aw_lock [0:N-1];
  int aw_head = 0, aw_tail = 0, aw_count = 0;
  localparam int WQ = 1024;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] w_data [0:WQ-1];
  logic [BUS-1:0]    w_strb [0:WQ-1];
  logic              w_last [0:WQ-1];
  int w_head = 0, w_tail = 0, w_count = 0, w_bursts = 0;   // w_bursts: complete bursts in the ring

  // ---- write responses waiting for their latency ----
  logic            b_use [0:N-1];
  logic [ID_W-1:0] b_id [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      b_rsp [0:N-1];
  int              b_at [0:N-1], b_seq [0:N-1];
  logic            b_driving = 0;
  logic            early_done = 0;            // the early_b twin answers once per burst
  // posted writes: the beats of a write kept until its response goes out
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] p_data [0:N-1][0:255];
  logic [BUS-1:0]    p_strb [0:N-1][0:255];
  int unsigned       p_addr [0:N-1];
  int                p_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]        p_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]        p_burst [0:N-1];
  logic              p_pending [0:N-1];

  // ---- read side: accepted AR requests with their progress ----
  logic            r_use [0:N-1];
  logic [ID_W-1:0] r_id [0:N-1];
  int unsigned     r_addr [0:N-1];
  int              r_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]      r_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      r_burst [0:N-1];
  logic            r_lock [0:N-1];
  int              r_at [0:N-1], r_seq [0:N-1], r_beat [0:N-1], r_served [0:N-1];
  int              r_cur = -1;                // the transaction whose beat is on the wires
  logic            r_driving = 0;

  // ---- exclusive monitors, one per ID ----
  logic        mon_use [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int unsigned mon_addr [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int unsigned mon_bytes [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];

  initial begin
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) begin b_use[i] = 0; r_use[i] = 0; p_pending[i] = 0; end
    for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++) mon_use[i] = 0;
    awready = 0; wready = 0; arready = 0; bvalid = 0; rvalid = 0; bid = 0; bresp = 0; rid = 0; rresp = 0; rlast = 0; rdata = 0;
  end

  function automatic int latency_of(input int unsigned a, input int base);
    return (a >= slow_above) ? slow_latency : base;
  endfunction
  function automatic logic [1:0] burst_used(input logic [1:0] b);
    return (wrap_bug && b == WRAP) ? INCR : b;
  endfunction

  // ---- selection policies ----
  // The oldest of all pending entries, or the oldest of its ID: the in-order rule of the protocol.
  function automatic bit b_oldest(input int i, input bit same_id_only);
    for (int j = 0; j < N; j++)
      if (b_use[j] && j != i && b_seq[j] < b_seq[i] && (!same_id_only || b_id[j] == b_id[i])) return 0;
    return 1;
  endfunction
  function automatic bit r_oldest(input int i, input bit same_id_only);
    for (int j = 0; j < N; j++)
      if (r_use[j] && j != i && r_seq[j] < r_seq[i] && (!same_id_only || r_id[j] == r_id[i])) return 0;
    return 1;
  endfunction
  function automatic bit b_eligible(input int i);
    if (!b_use[i] || b_at[i] > cycle) return 0;
    if (!reorder) return b_oldest(i, 0);
    return reorder_same_id ? 1 : b_oldest(i, 1);
  endfunction
  function automatic bit r_eligible(input int i);
    if (!r_use[i] || r_at[i] > cycle) return 0;
    if (!reorder) return r_oldest(i, 0);
    return reorder_same_id ? 1 : r_oldest(i, 1);
  endfunction
  function automatic int free_b();
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (!b_use[i]) return i;
    return -1;
  endfunction
  function automatic int free_r();
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (!r_use[i]) return i;
    return -1;
  endfunction
  function automatic int pick_b();
    int best = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (b_eligible(i) && (best < 0 || b_seq[i] < b_seq[best])) best = i;
    return best;
  endfunction
  function automatic int pick_r();
    int best = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (r_eligible(i)) begin
      if (best < 0) best = i;
      else if (interleave ? (r_served[i] < r_served[best]) : (r_seq[i] < r_seq[best])) best = i;
    end
    return best;
  endfunction

  // ---- the bytes of one read beat, as the bus word that holds them ----
  function automatic logic [DATA_W-1:0] read_word(input int unsigned a);
    logic [DATA_W-1:0] d = 0;
    int unsigned word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
    for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++) d[8*l +: 8] = (word + l < DEPTH) ? mem[word + l] : 8'h00;
    return d;
  endfunction

  // ---- the write of one complete burst into the memory ----
  task automatic write_burst(input int e);
    logic [1:0]  rsp = OKAY;
    logic        do_write = 1, ended = 0;
    int unsigned a, word;
    logic [15:0] lanes;
    int          n = 0, slot;
    int unsigned total = (1 << aw_size[e]) * (aw_len[e] + 1);
    slot = free_b();
    if (aw_lock[e] && excl_on) begin
      if (mon_use[aw_id[e]] && mon_addr[aw_id[e]] == aw_addr[e]) begin
        rsp = EXOKAY;
        $display("mem e%0d: exclusive write id=%0d at 0x%0h: the monitor matched, EXOKAY", cycle, aw_id[e], aw_addr[e]);
      end else begin
        do_write = 0;
        $display("mem e%0d: exclusive write id=%0d at 0x%0h: no monitor, OKAY and nothing written", cycle, aw_id[e], aw_addr[e]);
      end
    end
    while (!ended && n <= aw_len[e]) begin
      a = beat_addr(aw_addr[e], aw_len[e], aw_size[e], burst_used(aw_burst[e]), n);
      lanes = beat_lanes(aw_addr[e], aw_len[e], aw_size[e], burst_used(aw_burst[e]), n, BUS);
      word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
      if (a >= err_above) rsp = SLVERR;
      else if (do_write && posted && slot >= 0) begin
        p_data[slot][n] = w_data[w_head]; p_strb[slot][n] = w_strb[w_head];
      end else if (do_write) begin
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++)
          if ((w_strb[w_head][l] || ignore_strobes) && word + l < DEPTH) begin
            mem[word + l] = w_data[w_head][8*l +: 8];
            if (trace) $display("mem e%0d: beat %0d writes 0x%02h to 0x%0h (lane %0d)", cycle, n, w_data[w_head][8*l +: 8], word + l, l);
          end
      end
      ended = w_last[w_head];                      // a burst ends at its WLAST, whatever AWLEN said
      w_head = (w_head + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count - 1;
      n = n + 1;
    end
    while (!ended) begin                           // beats past AWLEN (a broken manager) are dropped
      ended = w_last[w_head];
      w_head = (w_head + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count - 1;
    end
    // A write clears every monitor that watches a byte it touched.
    if (do_write)
      for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++)
        if (mon_use[i] && mon_addr[i] < aw_addr[e] + total && aw_addr[e] < mon_addr[i] + mon_bytes[i]) mon_use[i] = 0;
    if (slot >= 0) begin
      b_use[slot] = 1; b_id[slot] = aw_id[e]; b_rsp[slot] = rsp; b_seq[slot] = seq; seq = seq + 1;
      b_at[slot] = cycle + latency_of(aw_addr[e], wr_latency);
      if (posted && do_write) begin
        p_pending[slot] = 1; p_addr[slot] = aw_addr[e]; p_len[slot] = n - 1; p_size[slot] = aw_size[e]; p_burst[slot] = aw_burst[e];
      end
    end
  endtask

  // A posted write reaches the memory when its response goes out.
  task automatic apply_posted(input int i);
    int unsigned a, word;
    for (int n = 0; n <= p_len[i]; n++) begin
      a = beat_addr(p_addr[i], p_len[i], p_size[i], burst_used(p_burst[i]), n);
      word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
      if (a < err_above)
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++)
          if ((p_strb[i][n][l] || ignore_strobes) && word + l < DEPTH) begin
            mem[word + l] = p_data[i][n][8*l +: 8];
            if (trace) $display("mem e%0d: posted beat %0d writes 0x%02h to 0x%0h (lane %0d)", cycle, n, p_data[i][n][8*l +: 8], word + l, l);
          end
    end
    p_pending[i] = 0;
  endtask

  int pick, extra;
  always @(posedge aclk) begin
    cycle = cycle + 1;
    if (!aresetn) begin
      aw_head = 0; aw_tail = 0; aw_count = 0; w_head = 0; w_tail = 0; w_count = 0; w_bursts = 0;
      for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) begin b_use[i] = 0; r_use[i] = 0; end
      b_driving = 0; r_driving = 0; r_cur = -1;
      awready <= 0; wready <= 0; arready <= 0; bvalid <= 0; rvalid <= 0;
    end else begin
      // -- AW: take a request while there is room --
      if (awvalid && awready) begin
        aw_id[aw_tail] = awid; aw_addr[aw_tail] = awaddr; aw_len[aw_tail] = awlen; aw_size[aw_tail] = awsize;
        aw_burst[aw_tail] = awburst; aw_lock[aw_tail] = awlock;
        aw_tail = (aw_tail + 1) % N; aw_count = aw_count + 1;
      end
      // -- W: take a beat while there is room --
      if (wvalid && wready) begin
        w_data[w_tail] = wdata; w_strb[w_tail] = wstrb; w_last[w_tail] = wlast;
        w_tail = (w_tail + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count + 1;
        if (wlast) w_bursts = w_bursts + 1;
      end
      // -- a complete burst with its request: write it and schedule B --
      if (aw_count > 0 && w_bursts > 0) begin
        write_burst(aw_head);
        aw_head = (aw_head + 1) % N; aw_count = aw_count - 1; w_bursts = w_bursts - 1;
        early_done = 0;
      end else if (early_b && !early_done && w_count > 0 && w_bursts == 0) begin
        // The broken twin: a response as soon as the first write beat arrived, before WLAST and,
        // when the data came first, before the address.
        pick = free_b();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          b_use[pick] = 1; b_id[pick] = (aw_count > 0) ? aw_id[aw_head] : awid; b_rsp[pick] = OKAY; b_seq[pick] = seq; seq = seq + 1; b_at[pick] = cycle;
          early_done = 1;
        end
      end
      // -- B: finish a handshake, then put the next response on the wires --
      if (b_driving && bready) b_driving = 0;
      if (!b_driving) begin
        pick = pick_b();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          if (p_pending[pick]) apply_posted(pick);
          b_driving = 1; bid <= b_id[pick]; bresp <= b_rsp[pick]; b_use[pick] = 0;
        end
      end
      bvalid <= b_driving;
      // -- AR: take a request while there is room --
      if (arvalid && arready) begin
        pick = free_r();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          r_use[pick] = 1; r_id[pick] = arid; r_addr[pick] = araddr; r_len[pick] = arlen; r_size[pick] = arsize; r_burst[pick] = arburst;
          r_lock[pick] = arlock; r_beat[pick] = 0; r_seq[pick] = seq; seq = seq + 1; r_served[pick] = -1;
          r_at[pick] = cycle + latency_of(araddr, rd_latency);
          if (arlock && excl_on) begin
            mon_use[arid] = 1; mon_addr[arid] = araddr; mon_bytes[arid] = (1 << arsize) * (arlen + 1);
            $display("mem e%0d: exclusive read id=%0d at 0x%0h: monitor set", cycle, arid, araddr);
          end
        end
      end
      // -- R: finish a handshake, then put the next beat on the wires --
      if (r_driving && !rready && drop_hold) rdata <= rdata + 1;   // the broken twin: data not held
      if (r_driving && rready) begin
        r_driving = 0;
        if (r_beat[r_cur] > r_len[r_cur]) begin r_use[r_cur] = 0; r_cur = -1; end
        else if (interleave) r_cur = -1;
      end
      if (!r_driving) begin
        pick = (r_cur >= 0) ? r_cur : pick_r();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          r_cur = pick; r_driving = 1; r_served[pick] = cycle;
          extra = r_beat[pick];
          rid <= r_id[pick];
          rdata <= read_word(beat_addr(r_addr[pick], r_len[pick], r_size[pick], burst_used(r_burst[pick]), extra));
          rresp <= (beat_addr(r_addr[pick], r_len[pick], r_size[pick], burst_used(r_burst[pick]), extra) >= err_above) ? SLVERR
                 : ((r_lock[pick] && excl_on) ? EXOKAY : OKAY);
          rlast <= (extra == r_len[pick]);
          r_beat[pick] = extra + 1;
        end
      end
      rvalid <= r_driving;
      awready <= (aw_count < N - 1);
      wready  <= (w_count < WQ - 2);
      arready <= 1;
    end
  end
endmodule
Read included file: axi_checker.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_checker.sv: the rules of an AXI4 interface, checked at every rising edge (read-only).
// Each broken rule is named with the channel and the edge where it was seen:
//   reset      a VALID is 1 while reset is active;
//   hold       a VALID dropped before its READY: the offer was withdrawn;
//   stable     a channel's payload changed while its offer waited;
//   known      a payload is x while its VALID is 1;
//   len        a FIXED or WRAP burst longer than 16 beats;
//   wrap       a WRAP burst whose length is not 2, 4, 8 or 16 beats or whose address is not aligned;
//   boundary   a burst that crosses a 4 KB boundary;
//   size       a transfer wider than the data bus;
//   strobe     a write strobe on a lane the beat does not address;
//   wlast      WLAST on the wrong beat (not AWLEN), or missing after it;
//   rlast      RLAST on the wrong beat of the oldest read with that ID, or missing after it;
//   border     BVALID before any outstanding write has its last beat, or before its AW;
//   bid, rid   a response ID with no outstanding request of that ID;
//   exokay     EXOKAY for a request that was not exclusive;
//   exclusive  an exclusive request whose bytes are not a power of two up to 128, or not aligned to them.
// The rules no checker can see on the wires (VALID must not wait for READY; same-ID responses
// in the order of their requests) are checked by the data the tasks compare (lessons P2.2, P2.10).
module axi_checker #(parameter int DATA_W = 32, parameter int ID_W = 4) (
  input logic              aclk,
  input logic              aresetn,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   awid,
  input logic [31:0]       awaddr,
  input logic [7:0]        awlen,
  input logic [2:0]        awsize,
  input logic [1:0]        awburst,
  input logic              awlock,
  input logic              awvalid,
  input logic              awready,
  input logic [DATA_W-1:0] wdata,
  input logic [DATA_W/8-1:0] wstrb,
  input logic              wlast,
  input logic              wvalid,
  input logic              wready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   bid,
  input logic [1:0]        bresp,
  input logic              bvalid,
  input logic              bready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   arid,
  input logic [31:0]       araddr,
  input logic [7:0]        arlen,
  input logic [2:0]        arsize,
  input logic [1:0]        arburst,
  input logic              arlock,
  input logic              arvalid,
  input logic              arready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   rid,
  input logic [DATA_W-1:0] rdata,
  input logic [1:0]        rresp,
  input logic              rlast,
  input logic              rvalid,
  input logic              rready
);
  import axi_pkg::*;
  localparam int BUS = DATA_W / 8;
  localparam int Q = 64;
  int cycle = -1, writes = 0, reads = 0, stalls = 0, broken = 0;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] used;

  function void report(input string rule, input string what);
    broken++;
    $display("RULE %s broken at edge %0d: %s", rule, cycle, what);
  endfunction

  // Previous values of every channel, for hold and stable.
  logic p_awv = 0, p_awr = 0, p_wv = 0, p_wr = 0, p_bv = 0, p_br = 0, p_arv = 0, p_arr = 0, p_rv = 0, p_rr = 0;
  logic [31:0] p_awaddr, p_araddr;
  logic [7:0] p_awlen, p_arlen;
  logic [2:0] p_awsize, p_arsize;
  logic [1:0] p_awburst, p_arburst, p_bresp, p_rresp;
  logic [ID_W-1:0] p_awid, p_arid, p_bid, p_rid;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] p_wdata, p_rdata;
  logic [BUS-1:0] p_wstrb;
  logic p_wlast, p_rlast, p_awlock, p_arlock;

  // Write requests in order (AXI4 write data follows the order of the addresses).
  int unsigned q_addr [0:Q-1];
  int q_len [0:Q-1];
  logic [2:0] q_size [0:Q-1];
  logic [1:0] q_burst [0:Q-1];
  int aw_n = 0;                 // requests accepted
  int wb_n = 0;                 // write bursts started
  int wb_done = 0;              // write bursts ended (WLAST seen)
  int w_beat = 0;               // beats so far in the current burst
  int b_n = 0;                  // responses given
  // Beats recorded for bursts that ran ahead of their AW: strobes and count, checked when AW arrives.
  logic [BUS-1:0] rec_strb [0:Q-1][0:255];
  int rec_beats [0:Q-1];
  logic rec_open [0:Q-1];
  // Outstanding requests per ID, and the read requests per ID in order.
  int aw_out [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], ar_out [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], aw_excl [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], ar_excl [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int rq_len [0:(1<<ID_W)-1][0:15];
  int rq_head [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], rq_tail [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], r_beat [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  initial for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++) begin aw_out[i] = 0; ar_out[i] = 0; aw_excl[i] = 0; ar_excl[i] = 0; rq_head[i] = 0; rq_tail[i] = 0; r_beat[i] = 0; end
  initial for (int i = 0; i < Q; i++) begin rec_beats[i] = 0; rec_open[i] = 0; end

  function automatic bit pow2_le128(input int unsigned n);
    return (n == 1 || n == 2 || n == 4 || n == 8 || n == 16 || n == 32 || n == 64 || n == 128);
  endfunction

  task automatic check_request(input string ch, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock);
    int unsigned bytes = (1 << size) * (len + 1);
    if ((burst == FIXED || burst == WRAP) && len > 15) report("len", $sformatf("%s: a %s burst of %0d beats (16 at most)", ch, burst_name(burst), len + 1));
    if (burst == WRAP && !(len == 1 || len == 3 || len == 7 || len == 15)) report("wrap", $sformatf("%s: a WRAP burst of %0d beats (2, 4, 8 or 16)", ch, len + 1));
    if (burst == WRAP && (addr % (1 << size)) != 0) report("wrap", $sformatf("%s: WRAP burst at 0x%0h is not aligned to its %0d-byte transfers", ch, addr, 1 << size));
    if (burst == 2'b11) report("len", $sformatf("%s: burst type 2'b11 is reserved", ch));
    if ((1 << size) > BUS) report("size", $sformatf("%s: %0d-byte transfers on a %0d-byte bus", ch, 1 << size, BUS));
    if (crosses_4k(addr, len, size, burst)) report("boundary", $sformatf("%s: burst at 0x%0h, %0d beats of %0d bytes, crosses a 4 KB boundary", ch, addr, len + 1, 1 << size));
    if (lock && (!pow2_le128(bytes) || (addr % bytes) != 0)) report("exclusive", $sformatf("%s: exclusive access of %0d bytes at 0x%0h (a power of two up to 128, aligned)", ch, bytes, addr));
  endtask

  task automatic check_strobe(input int k, input int n, input logic [BUS-1:0] strb);
    logic [63:0] allowed = beat_strb(q_addr[k % Q], q_len[k % Q], q_size[k % Q], q_burst[k % Q], n, BUS);
    if ((strb & ~allowed[BUS-1:0]) != 0)
      report("strobe", $sformatf("W beat %0d of write %0d: strobe %b on lanes outside %b", n, k, strb, allowed[BUS-1:0]));
  endtask

  always @(posedge aclk) begin
    cycle++;
    if (!aresetn) begin
      if (awvalid === 1 || wvalid === 1 || arvalid === 1) report("reset", "a manager VALID is 1 during reset");
      if (bvalid === 1 || rvalid === 1) report("reset", "a subordinate VALID is 1 during reset");
    end else begin
      // hold, stable and known, per channel
      if (p_awv && !p_awr && awvalid !== 1) report("hold", "AWVALID dropped before AWREADY");
      if (p_awv && !p_awr && awvalid === 1 && (awaddr !== p_awaddr || awlen !== p_awlen || awsize !== p_awsize || awburst !== p_awburst || awid !== p_awid || awlock !== p_awlock)) report("stable", "AW payload changed while the request waited");
      if (p_wv && !p_wr && wvalid !== 1) report("hold", "WVALID dropped before WREADY");
      if (p_wv && !p_wr && wvalid === 1 && (wdata !== p_wdata || wstrb !== p_wstrb || wlast !== p_wlast)) report("stable", "W payload changed while the beat waited");
      if (p_bv && !p_br && bvalid !== 1) report("hold", "BVALID dropped before BREADY");
      if (p_bv && !p_br && bvalid === 1 && (bresp !== p_bresp || bid !== p_bid)) report("stable", "B payload changed while the response waited");
      if (p_arv && !p_arr && arvalid !== 1) report("hold", "ARVALID dropped before ARREADY");
      if (p_arv && !p_arr && arvalid === 1 && (araddr !== p_araddr || arlen !== p_arlen || arsize !== p_arsize || arburst !== p_arburst || arid !== p_arid || arlock !== p_arlock)) report("stable", "AR payload changed while the request waited");
      if (p_rv && !p_rr && rvalid !== 1) report("hold", "RVALID dropped before RREADY");
      if (p_rv && !p_rr && rvalid === 1 && (rdata !== p_rdata || rresp !== p_rresp || rid !== p_rid || rlast !== p_rlast)) report("stable", "R payload changed while the beat waited");
      if (awvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(awaddr) || $isunknown(awlen) || $isunknown(awsize) || $isunknown(awburst) || $isunknown(awid))) report("known", "AW payload is x while AWVALID is 1");
      if (wvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(wstrb) || $isunknown(wlast))) report("known", "W strobe or last is x while WVALID is 1");
      else if (wvalid === 1) begin
        used = '0;
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++) if (wstrb[l] === 1) used[8*l +: 8] = 8'hff;
        if ($isunknown(wdata & used)) report("known", "W data is x on a strobed lane while WVALID is 1");
      end
      if (arvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(araddr) || $isunknown(arlen) || $isunknown(arsize) || $isunknown(arburst) || $isunknown(arid))) report("known", "AR payload is x while ARVALID is 1");
      if (bvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(bresp) || $isunknown(bid))) report("known", "B payload is x while BVALID is 1");
      if (rvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(rresp) || $isunknown(rid) || $isunknown(rlast))) report("known", "R payload is x while RVALID is 1");
      if ((awvalid === 1 && awready !== 1) || (wvalid === 1 && wready !== 1) || (arvalid === 1 && arready !== 1) ||
          (bvalid === 1 && bready !== 1) || (rvalid === 1 && rready !== 1)) stalls++;
      // AW accepted
      if (awvalid === 1 && awready === 1) begin
        check_request("AW", awaddr, awlen, awsize, awburst, awlock);
        q_addr[aw_n % Q] = awaddr; q_len[aw_n % Q] = awlen; q_size[aw_n % Q] = awsize; q_burst[aw_n % Q] = awburst;
        aw_out[awid]++; if (awlock) aw_excl[awid]++;
        // beats of this write that arrived before its address: check them now
        if (rec_beats[aw_n % Q] > 0) begin
          for (int n = 0; n < rec_beats[aw_n % Q]; n++) check_strobe(aw_n, n, rec_strb[aw_n % Q][n]);
          if (!rec_open[aw_n % Q] && rec_beats[aw_n % Q] != awlen + 1)
            report("wlast", $sformatf("write %0d sent %0d beats before its AW said AWLEN=%0d", aw_n, rec_beats[aw_n % Q], awlen));
          if (!rec_open[aw_n % Q]) rec_beats[aw_n % Q] = 0;
        end
        aw_n++;
      end
      // W beat accepted
      if (wvalid === 1 && wready === 1) begin
        if (w_beat == 0) begin wb_n++; rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; rec_open[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 1; end
        if (wb_n <= aw_n) begin
          check_strobe(wb_n - 1, w_beat, wstrb);
          if (wlast === 1 && w_beat != q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]) report("wlast", $sformatf("WLAST on beat %0d of write %0d, AWLEN=%0d", w_beat, wb_n - 1, q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]));
          if (wlast !== 1 && w_beat == q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]) report("wlast", $sformatf("beat %0d of write %0d is AWLEN=%0d but WLAST is 0", w_beat, wb_n - 1, q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]));
        end else begin
          rec_strb[(wb_n - 1) % Q][w_beat] = wstrb;
        end
        rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = w_beat + 1;
        w_beat++;
        if (wlast === 1) begin w_beat = 0; wb_done++; rec_open[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; if (wb_n <= aw_n) rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; end
      end
      // B offered or accepted
      if (bvalid === 1 && !p_bv) begin
        if (b_n >= aw_n && b_n >= wb_done) report("border", "BVALID with no write to answer: neither an AW nor a WLAST is outstanding");
        else if (b_n >= wb_done) report("border", "BVALID before the last beat of the write it answers");
        else if (b_n >= aw_n) report("border", "BVALID before the AW of the write it answers was accepted");
      end
      if (bvalid === 1 && bready === 1) begin
        if (aw_out[bid] == 0) report("bid", $sformatf("B with id %0d, which has no outstanding write", bid));
        else begin
          aw_out[bid]--; writes++;
          if (bresp === EXOKAY && aw_excl[bid] == 0) report("exokay", $sformatf("EXOKAY for write id %0d, which was not exclusive", bid));
          if (aw_excl[bid] > 0 && aw_excl[bid] > aw_out[bid]) aw_excl[bid] = aw_out[bid];
        end
        b_n++;
      end
      // AR accepted
      if (arvalid === 1 && arready === 1) begin
        check_request("AR", araddr, arlen, arsize, arburst, arlock);
        rq_len[arid][rq_tail[arid]] = arlen; rq_tail[arid] = (rq_tail[arid] + 1) % 16;
        ar_out[arid]++; if (arlock) ar_excl[arid]++;
      end
      // R beat accepted
      if (rvalid === 1 && rready === 1) begin
        if (ar_out[rid] == 0) report("rid", $sformatf("R with id %0d, which has no outstanding read", rid));
        else begin
          if (rlast === 1 && r_beat[rid] != rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]])
            report("rlast", $sformatf("RLAST on beat %0d of the oldest read with id %0d, whose ARLEN is %0d", r_beat[rid], rid, rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]]));
          if (rlast !== 1 && r_beat[rid] == rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]])
            report("rlast", $sformatf("beat %0d of the oldest read with id %0d is its ARLEN but RLAST is 0", r_beat[rid], rid));
          if (rresp === EXOKAY && ar_excl[rid] == 0) report("exokay", $sformatf("EXOKAY for read id %0d, which was not exclusive", rid));
          r_beat[rid]++;
          if (rlast === 1) begin
            r_beat[rid] = 0; rq_head[rid] = (rq_head[rid] + 1) % 16; ar_out[rid]--; reads++;
            if (ar_excl[rid] > ar_out[rid]) ar_excl[rid] = ar_out[rid];
          end
        end
      end
    end
    p_awv = (awvalid === 1); p_awr = (awready === 1); p_wv = (wvalid === 1); p_wr = (wready === 1);
    p_bv = (bvalid === 1); p_br = (bready === 1); p_arv = (arvalid === 1); p_arr = (arready === 1);
    p_rv = (rvalid === 1); p_rr = (rready === 1);
    p_awaddr = awaddr; p_awlen = awlen; p_awsize = awsize; p_awburst = awburst; p_awid = awid; p_awlock = awlock;
    p_wdata = wdata; p_wstrb = wstrb; p_wlast = wlast; p_bresp = bresp; p_bid = bid;
    p_araddr = araddr; p_arlen = arlen; p_arsize = arsize; p_arburst = arburst; p_arid = arid; p_arlock = arlock;
    p_rdata = rdata; p_rresp = rresp; p_rid = rid; p_rlast = rlast;
  end
  final $display("checker: %0d writes, %0d reads, %0d stalled edges, %0d rules broken", writes, reads, stalls, broken);
endmodule
Read included file: axi_tasks.svh
// axi_tasks.svh: the manager side of the bench, as tasks for the stimulus (read-only).
// Data for a write burst goes in wd[0], wd[1], ... (one entry per beat, the lowest byte at the
// lowest address); the data of a read comes back in rd[0], rd[1], ... with its responses in rr[].
// Every task prints the beat log: one line per handshake, with the edge where it happened.
// `cycle` counts rising edges from 0.
int cycle = -1;
always @(posedge aclk) cycle = cycle + 1;

logic [63:0] wd [0:255];
logic [63:0] rd [0:255];
logic [1:0]  rr [0:255];
logic [63:0] rdq [0:15][0:255];     // read data per ID, for reads collected out of order
logic [1:0]  rrq [0:15][0:255];
int          rdn [0:15];            // beats received per ID
logic [1:0]  last_bresp = 0;
int          last_beats = 0;
// What the task is driving right now, for the waveform scenes: the address and lanes of the beat.
int unsigned beat_a = 0;
logic [7:0]  beat_m = 0;
// quiet = 1 silences the beat log (a predict item can then ask for a dump line instead).
bit          quiet = 0;
// Strobe override: when strb_force is 1, every write beat uses strb_val as it is.
bit          strb_force = 0;
logic [7:0]  strb_val = 8'hff;
// Outstanding read requests per ID, so the tasks know the lanes of the beats that come back.
int unsigned arq_addr [0:15][0:7];
int          arq_len [0:15][0:7];
logic [2:0]  arq_size [0:15][0:7];
logic [1:0]  arq_burst [0:15][0:7];
int          arq_head [0:15], arq_tail [0:15];
initial for (int i = 0; i < 16; i++) begin arq_head[i] = 0; arq_tail[i] = 0; rdn[i] = 0; end
// READY patterns for the response channels: bit (cycle % 16) of the pattern drives the signal.
bit          rpat_on = 0, bpat_on = 0;
logic [15:0] rpat = 16'hffff, bpat = 16'hffff;
always @(posedge aclk) begin
  #1;
  if (rpat_on) rready = rpat[cycle % 16];
  if (bpat_on) bready = bpat[cycle % 16];
end

// A text waveform for the lesson's trace blocks: with watch = 1, one line per rising edge with the
// values sampled at that edge (cycle k of a trace is what edge k sees).
bit watch = 0;
int wave_edge = -1;
always @(posedge aclk) begin
  wave_edge = wave_edge + 1;
  if (watch) $display("wave e%0d: aw=%b%b w=%b%b b=%b%b ar=%b%b r=%b%b awaddr=%h wdata=%h wstrb=%b wlast=%b bid=%h bresp=%b araddr=%h rid=%h rdata=%h rresp=%b rlast=%b",
                      wave_edge, awvalid, awready, wvalid, wready, bvalid, bready, arvalid, arready, rvalid, rready,
                      awaddr, wdata, wstrb, wlast, bid, bresp, araddr, rid, rdata, rresp, rlast);
end

// Drive RREADY (ch = 0) or BREADY (ch = 1) from a 16-bit pattern; 16'hffff restores always ready.
task automatic ready_pattern(input int ch, input logic [15:0] pat);
  if (ch == 0) begin rpat = pat; rpat_on = 1; rready = pat[cycle % 16]; end
  else begin bpat = pat; bpat_on = 1; bready = pat[cycle % 16]; end
endtask

// The write address channel: offer the request and hold it until it is taken.
task automatic aw_issue(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  awid = id; awaddr = addr; awlen = len[7:0]; awsize = size; awburst = burst; awlock = lock; awvalid = 1;
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!awready);
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d AW id=%0d addr=0x%0h len=%0d size=%0d %0s%0s", cycle, id, addr, len, size, burst_name(burst), lock ? " exclusive" : "");
  awvalid = 0; awaddr = 'x; awlen = 'x; awsize = 'x; awburst = 'x; awid = 'x; awlock = 0;
endtask

// The write data channel: the beats of one burst from wd[first..], each placed in its lanes.
task automatic w_burst(input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst, input int first = 0);
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  for (int n = 0; n <= len; n++) begin
    lanes = beat_lanes(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    beat_a = beat_addr(addr, len, size, burst, n);
    beat_m = strb_force ? strb_val : beat_strb(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    wdata = wd[first + n] << (8 * lanes[7:0]);
    wstrb = beat_m[BUS_BYTES-1:0];
    wlast = (n == len);
    wvalid = 1;
    do @(posedge aclk); while (!wready);
    #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d W  beat %0d data=0x%0h strb=%b last=%0d  addr 0x%0h lanes %0d-%0d", cycle, n, wdata, wstrb, wlast, beat_a, lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8]);
  end
  wvalid = 0; wdata = 'x; wstrb = 'x; wlast = 0; beat_m = 0;
endtask

// Wait for the write response of one transaction with this ID.
task automatic b_wait(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id);
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!(bvalid && bready && bid == id));
  last_bresp = bresp;                       // sampled at the edge, before the subordinate moves on
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d B  id=%0d %0s", cycle, id, resp_name(last_bresp));
endtask

// A complete write. order 0 offers the address, then the first beat one cycle later whether or
// not the address has been taken yet (a manager must never make WVALID wait for AWREADY); 1 offers
// the beats first and the address after beat 0; 2 offers the address and beat 0 in the same cycle.
// Returns after B, with the response in last_bresp.
task automatic axi_write(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                         input logic [1:0] burst, input int order = 0, input logic lock = 0);
  case (order)
    1: fork
         w_burst(addr, len, size, burst);
         begin @(posedge aclk); #1 aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock); end
       join
    2: fork
         aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
         w_burst(addr, len, size, burst);
       join
    default: fork
         aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
         begin @(posedge aclk); #1 w_burst(addr, len, size, burst); end
       join
  endcase
  b_wait(id);
endtask

// The read address channel: offer the request and remember it for the beats that come back.
task automatic ar_issue(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  arq_addr[id][arq_tail[id]] = addr; arq_len[id][arq_tail[id]] = len; arq_size[id][arq_tail[id]] = size;
  arq_burst[id][arq_tail[id]] = burst; arq_tail[id] = (arq_tail[id] + 1) % 8;
  arid = id; araddr = addr; arlen = len[7:0]; arsize = size; arburst = burst; arlock = lock; arvalid = 1;
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!arready);
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d AR id=%0d addr=0x%0h len=%0d size=%0d %0s%0s", cycle, id, addr, len, size, burst_name(burst), lock ? " exclusive" : "");
  arvalid = 0; araddr = 'x; arlen = 'x; arsize = 'x; arburst = 'x; arid = 'x; arlock = 0;
endtask

// Collect read beats until n transactions have ended (their RLAST). Each beat lands in rdq[rid][k]
// with only the bytes of the transfer (lane-shifted down), and rd[] holds the last transaction.
task automatic r_collect(input int n);
  int done = 0, h;
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  logic [63:0] bytes;
  logic [ID_W-1:0] id;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] data;
  logic [1:0] resp;
  logic last;
  while (done < n) begin
    do @(posedge aclk); while (!(rvalid && rready));
    id = rid; data = rdata; resp = rresp; last = rlast;   // sampled at the edge, before the subordinate moves on
    h = arq_head[id];
    lanes = beat_lanes(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id], BUS_BYTES);
    beat_a = beat_addr(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id]);
    beat_m = beat_strb(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id], BUS_BYTES);
    bytes = (data >> (8 * lanes[7:0])) & ((64'h1 << (8 * (lanes[15:8] - lanes[7:0] + 1))) - 1);
    rdq[id][rdn[id]] = bytes; rrq[id][rdn[id]] = resp;
    #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d R  id=%0d beat %0d data=0x%0h %0s%0s  addr 0x%0h lanes %0d-%0d", cycle, id, rdn[id], bytes, resp_name(resp),
                last ? " last" : "", beat_a, lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8]);
    rdn[id] = rdn[id] + 1;
    if (last) begin
      for (int k = 0; k < rdn[id]; k++) begin rd[k] = rdq[id][k]; rr[k] = rrq[id][k]; end
      last_beats = rdn[id]; rdn[id] = 0; arq_head[id] = (h + 1) % 8; done = done + 1;
    end
  end
  beat_m = 0;
endtask

// A complete read: AR, then every beat, into rd[] and rr[].
task automatic axi_read(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  ar_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
  r_collect(1);
endtask

// The table of a burst before it runs: the address, lanes and strobe of every beat.
task automatic beat_table(input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst);
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  logic [63:0] s;
  int unsigned a;
  $display("burst at 0x%0h: %0d beat%0s of %0d byte%0s, %0s, bus %0d bytes", addr, len + 1, len ? "s" : "", 1 << size, size ? "s" : "",
           burst_name(burst), BUS_BYTES);
  $display("  beat  address  lanes  strobe");
  for (int n = 0; n <= len; n++) begin
    lanes = beat_lanes(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    s = beat_strb(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    a = beat_addr(addr, len, size, burst, n);
    $display("  %4d  0x%05h  %0d-%0d    %b", n, a[19:0], lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8], s[BUS_BYTES-1:0]);
  end
  if (crosses_4k(addr, len, size, burst)) $display("  this burst crosses a 4 KB boundary");
endtask

// One byte of the memory that owns an address (the fabric's second memory above 0x8000).
function automatic logic [7:0] mem_byte(input int unsigned a);
`ifdef AXI_MEM1
  if (a >= 32'h8000) return `AXI_MEM1.mem[a];
`endif
  return `AXI_MEM.mem[a];
endfunction
task automatic set_byte(input int unsigned a, input logic [7:0] v);
`ifdef AXI_MEM1
  if (a >= 32'h8000) `AXI_MEM1.mem[a] = v;
  else `AXI_MEM.mem[a] = v;
`else
  `AXI_MEM.mem[a] = v;
`endif
endtask

// The memory, n bytes from addr, one bus word per group.
task automatic dump(input int unsigned addr, input int n);
  string line;
  int unsigned a = (addr / 16) * 16;
  while (a < addr + n) begin
    line = $sformatf("0x%05h ", a[19:0]);
    for (int i = 0; i < 16; i++) begin
      if (i % BUS_BYTES == 0) line = {line, " "};
      line = {line, $sformatf(" %02h", mem_byte(a + i))};
    end
    $display("%s", line);
    a = a + 16;
  end
endtask

// Fill n bytes from addr with first, first+1, ... so untouched bytes stay recognisable.
task automatic mem_fill(input int unsigned addr, input int n, input logic [7:0] first = 8'h00);
  for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) set_byte(addr + i, first + i[7:0]);
endtask

// Drive nothing for n cycles.
task automatic idle(input int n);
  repeat (n) @(posedge aclk);
  #1;
endtask
Spot the bugEach option issues one write to the memory. Which request breaks a rule of the burst?
Read included file: axi_pkg.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_pkg.sv: the arithmetic of a burst (read-only).
// Every transfer n of a burst has an address and a set of byte lanes, computed from the start
// address, the burst length, the transfer size and the burst type exactly as the AXI specification
// defines them. The memory, the manager tasks and the checker all use these functions, so they
// never disagree about where a byte lands.
package axi_pkg;
  localparam logic [1:0] FIXED = 2'b00, INCR = 2'b01, WRAP = 2'b10;
  localparam logic [1:0] OKAY = 2'b00, EXOKAY = 2'b01, SLVERR = 2'b10, DECERR = 2'b11;

  function automatic string burst_name(input logic [1:0] b);
    case (b) FIXED: return "FIXED"; INCR: return "INCR"; WRAP: return "WRAP"; default: return "RESERVED"; endcase
  endfunction
  function automatic string resp_name(input logic [1:0] r);
    case (r) OKAY: return "OKAY"; EXOKAY: return "EXOKAY"; SLVERR: return "SLVERR"; default: return "DECERR"; endcase
  endfunction

  // Bytes in one transfer: 1, 2, 4, ... 128.
  function automatic int bytes_of(input logic [2:0] size);
    return 1 << size;
  endfunction

  // The address of transfer n (n counts from 0).
  //   transfer 0 uses the start address as given, aligned or not;
  //   later transfers use the start address aligned down to the transfer size, plus n transfers;
  //   a WRAP burst returns to its wrap boundary (the start aligned down to the whole burst) when
  //   it reaches the end of that window; a FIXED burst repeats the start address.
  function automatic int unsigned beat_addr(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                            input logic [1:0] burst, input int n);
    int unsigned nb = 1 << size;
    int unsigned aligned = (start / nb) * nb;
    int unsigned window = nb * (len + 1);
    int unsigned boundary = (start / window) * window;
    int unsigned a;
    if (burst == FIXED || n == 0) return start;
    a = aligned + n * nb;
    if (burst == WRAP && a >= boundary + window) a = a - window;
    return a;
  endfunction

  // The byte lanes transfer n uses on a bus of bus_bytes bytes, packed as {upper, lower}.
  // Transfer 0 of an unaligned burst (and every transfer of a FIXED burst) uses only the lanes from
  // its address up to the end of its aligned transfer; every other transfer uses all the lanes of
  // its size.
  function automatic logic [15:0] beat_lanes(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                             input logic [1:0] burst, input int n, input int bus_bytes);
    int unsigned nb = 1 << size;
    int unsigned a = beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, n);
    int unsigned aligned = (a / nb) * nb;
    int unsigned word = (a / bus_bytes) * bus_bytes;
    int lower = a - word;
    int upper = (n == 0 || burst == FIXED) ? (aligned + nb - 1 - word) : (lower + nb - 1);
    return {upper[7:0], lower[7:0]};
  endfunction

  // The strobe of transfer n: a 1 for every lane it uses (bit l is lane l).
  function automatic logic [63:0] beat_strb(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                            input logic [1:0] burst, input int n, input int bus_bytes);
    logic [15:0] lanes = beat_lanes(start, len, size, burst, n, bus_bytes);
    logic [63:0] s = 0;
    for (int l = lanes[7:0]; l <= lanes[15:8]; l++) s[l] = 1'b1;
    return s;
  endfunction

  // True when the burst crosses a 4 KB boundary (only an INCR burst can).
  function automatic bit crosses_4k(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst);
    if (burst != INCR) return 0;
    return (beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, 0) / 4096) != ((beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, len) + (1 << size) - 1) / 4096);
  endfunction
endpackage
Read included file: axi_mem.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_mem.sv: an AXI4 subordinate with a byte-addressed memory behind it (read-only in this lesson).
// It accepts requests on AW and AR, write beats on W (before or after their AW), writes the bytes a
// burst addresses using the strobes, and answers on B and R after a latency. The switches below are
// plain variables: the stimulus sets them by name (mem.reorder = 1;) before it starts.
//   rd_latency, wr_latency   cycles from a request (or its last write beat) to its first response
//   slow_latency, slow_above addresses at or above slow_above answer after slow_latency instead
//   err_above                addresses at or above err_above get SLVERR (and are not written)
//   reorder                  answer transactions with DIFFERENT IDs as soon as each is ready;
//                            transactions with the same ID still answer in order
//   interleave               interleave the read data beats of ready transactions with different IDs
//   excl_on                  support exclusive access (one monitor per ID), else answer OKAY
//   posted                   apply a write to the memory only when its response is sent, so a read
//                            that arrives between the last beat and B still sees the old bytes
//   trace                    print every byte the memory writes
// Broken twins, each off by default: early_b (B before the last write beat and before AW),
// ignore_strobes (write every lane of the bus word), drop_hold (RDATA changes while RVALID waits
// for RREADY), reorder_same_id (a later transaction with the same ID may answer first),
// wrap_bug (a WRAP burst addressed like INCR).
module axi_mem #(parameter int DATA_W = 32, parameter int ID_W = 4, parameter int DEPTH = 65536) (
  input  logic              aclk,
  input  logic              aresetn,
  input  logic [ID_W-1:0]   awid,
  input  logic [31:0]       awaddr,
  input  logic [7:0]        awlen,
  input  logic [2:0]        awsize,
  input  logic [1:0]        awburst,
  input  logic              awlock,
  input  logic [3:0]        awcache,
  input  logic [2:0]        awprot,
  input  logic              awvalid,
  output logic              awready,
  input  logic [DATA_W-1:0] wdata,
  input  logic [DATA_W/8-1:0] wstrb,
  input  logic              wlast,
  input  logic              wvalid,
  output logic              wready,
  output logic [ID_W-1:0]   bid,
  output logic [1:0]        bresp,
  output logic              bvalid,
  input  logic              bready,
  input  logic [ID_W-1:0]   arid,
  input  logic [31:0]       araddr,
  input  logic [7:0]        arlen,
  input  logic [2:0]        arsize,
  input  logic [1:0]        arburst,
  input  logic              arlock,
  input  logic [3:0]        arcache,
  input  logic [2:0]        arprot,
  input  logic              arvalid,
  output logic              arready,
  output logic [ID_W-1:0]   rid,
  output logic [DATA_W-1:0] rdata,
  output logic [1:0]        rresp,
  output logic              rlast,
  output logic              rvalid,
  input  logic              rready
);
  import axi_pkg::*;
  localparam int BUS = DATA_W / 8;
  localparam int N = 16;                      // transactions in flight per direction

  // ---- switches ----
  int rd_latency = 2, wr_latency = 2, slow_latency = 8;
  int unsigned slow_above = 32'hffff_ffff, err_above = 32'hffff_ffff;
  bit reorder = 0, interleave = 0, excl_on = 0, posted = 0, trace = 0;
  bit early_b = 0, ignore_strobes = 0, drop_hold = 0, reorder_same_id = 0, wrap_bug = 0;

  // ---- the memory ----
  logic [7:0] mem [0:DEPTH-1];
  initial for (int i = 0; i < DEPTH; i++) mem[i] = 8'h00;

  int cycle = -1;
  int seq = 0;                                // every request gets a sequence number: issue order

  // ---- write side: accepted AW requests (a ring) and write beats (a ring) ----
  logic [ID_W-1:0] aw_id [0:N-1];
  int unsigned     aw_addr [0:N-1];
  int              aw_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]      aw_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      aw_burst [0:N-1];
  logic            aw_lock [0:N-1];
  int aw_head = 0, aw_tail = 0, aw_count = 0;
  localparam int WQ = 1024;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] w_data [0:WQ-1];
  logic [BUS-1:0]    w_strb [0:WQ-1];
  logic              w_last [0:WQ-1];
  int w_head = 0, w_tail = 0, w_count = 0, w_bursts = 0;   // w_bursts: complete bursts in the ring

  // ---- write responses waiting for their latency ----
  logic            b_use [0:N-1];
  logic [ID_W-1:0] b_id [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      b_rsp [0:N-1];
  int              b_at [0:N-1], b_seq [0:N-1];
  logic            b_driving = 0;
  logic            early_done = 0;            // the early_b twin answers once per burst
  // posted writes: the beats of a write kept until its response goes out
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] p_data [0:N-1][0:255];
  logic [BUS-1:0]    p_strb [0:N-1][0:255];
  int unsigned       p_addr [0:N-1];
  int                p_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]        p_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]        p_burst [0:N-1];
  logic              p_pending [0:N-1];

  // ---- read side: accepted AR requests with their progress ----
  logic            r_use [0:N-1];
  logic [ID_W-1:0] r_id [0:N-1];
  int unsigned     r_addr [0:N-1];
  int              r_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]      r_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      r_burst [0:N-1];
  logic            r_lock [0:N-1];
  int              r_at [0:N-1], r_seq [0:N-1], r_beat [0:N-1], r_served [0:N-1];
  int              r_cur = -1;                // the transaction whose beat is on the wires
  logic            r_driving = 0;

  // ---- exclusive monitors, one per ID ----
  logic        mon_use [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int unsigned mon_addr [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int unsigned mon_bytes [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];

  initial begin
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) begin b_use[i] = 0; r_use[i] = 0; p_pending[i] = 0; end
    for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++) mon_use[i] = 0;
    awready = 0; wready = 0; arready = 0; bvalid = 0; rvalid = 0; bid = 0; bresp = 0; rid = 0; rresp = 0; rlast = 0; rdata = 0;
  end

  function automatic int latency_of(input int unsigned a, input int base);
    return (a >= slow_above) ? slow_latency : base;
  endfunction
  function automatic logic [1:0] burst_used(input logic [1:0] b);
    return (wrap_bug && b == WRAP) ? INCR : b;
  endfunction

  // ---- selection policies ----
  // The oldest of all pending entries, or the oldest of its ID: the in-order rule of the protocol.
  function automatic bit b_oldest(input int i, input bit same_id_only);
    for (int j = 0; j < N; j++)
      if (b_use[j] && j != i && b_seq[j] < b_seq[i] && (!same_id_only || b_id[j] == b_id[i])) return 0;
    return 1;
  endfunction
  function automatic bit r_oldest(input int i, input bit same_id_only);
    for (int j = 0; j < N; j++)
      if (r_use[j] && j != i && r_seq[j] < r_seq[i] && (!same_id_only || r_id[j] == r_id[i])) return 0;
    return 1;
  endfunction
  function automatic bit b_eligible(input int i);
    if (!b_use[i] || b_at[i] > cycle) return 0;
    if (!reorder) return b_oldest(i, 0);
    return reorder_same_id ? 1 : b_oldest(i, 1);
  endfunction
  function automatic bit r_eligible(input int i);
    if (!r_use[i] || r_at[i] > cycle) return 0;
    if (!reorder) return r_oldest(i, 0);
    return reorder_same_id ? 1 : r_oldest(i, 1);
  endfunction
  function automatic int free_b();
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (!b_use[i]) return i;
    return -1;
  endfunction
  function automatic int free_r();
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (!r_use[i]) return i;
    return -1;
  endfunction
  function automatic int pick_b();
    int best = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (b_eligible(i) && (best < 0 || b_seq[i] < b_seq[best])) best = i;
    return best;
  endfunction
  function automatic int pick_r();
    int best = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (r_eligible(i)) begin
      if (best < 0) best = i;
      else if (interleave ? (r_served[i] < r_served[best]) : (r_seq[i] < r_seq[best])) best = i;
    end
    return best;
  endfunction

  // ---- the bytes of one read beat, as the bus word that holds them ----
  function automatic logic [DATA_W-1:0] read_word(input int unsigned a);
    logic [DATA_W-1:0] d = 0;
    int unsigned word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
    for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++) d[8*l +: 8] = (word + l < DEPTH) ? mem[word + l] : 8'h00;
    return d;
  endfunction

  // ---- the write of one complete burst into the memory ----
  task automatic write_burst(input int e);
    logic [1:0]  rsp = OKAY;
    logic        do_write = 1, ended = 0;
    int unsigned a, word;
    logic [15:0] lanes;
    int          n = 0, slot;
    int unsigned total = (1 << aw_size[e]) * (aw_len[e] + 1);
    slot = free_b();
    if (aw_lock[e] && excl_on) begin
      if (mon_use[aw_id[e]] && mon_addr[aw_id[e]] == aw_addr[e]) begin
        rsp = EXOKAY;
        $display("mem e%0d: exclusive write id=%0d at 0x%0h: the monitor matched, EXOKAY", cycle, aw_id[e], aw_addr[e]);
      end else begin
        do_write = 0;
        $display("mem e%0d: exclusive write id=%0d at 0x%0h: no monitor, OKAY and nothing written", cycle, aw_id[e], aw_addr[e]);
      end
    end
    while (!ended && n <= aw_len[e]) begin
      a = beat_addr(aw_addr[e], aw_len[e], aw_size[e], burst_used(aw_burst[e]), n);
      lanes = beat_lanes(aw_addr[e], aw_len[e], aw_size[e], burst_used(aw_burst[e]), n, BUS);
      word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
      if (a >= err_above) rsp = SLVERR;
      else if (do_write && posted && slot >= 0) begin
        p_data[slot][n] = w_data[w_head]; p_strb[slot][n] = w_strb[w_head];
      end else if (do_write) begin
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++)
          if ((w_strb[w_head][l] || ignore_strobes) && word + l < DEPTH) begin
            mem[word + l] = w_data[w_head][8*l +: 8];
            if (trace) $display("mem e%0d: beat %0d writes 0x%02h to 0x%0h (lane %0d)", cycle, n, w_data[w_head][8*l +: 8], word + l, l);
          end
      end
      ended = w_last[w_head];                      // a burst ends at its WLAST, whatever AWLEN said
      w_head = (w_head + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count - 1;
      n = n + 1;
    end
    while (!ended) begin                           // beats past AWLEN (a broken manager) are dropped
      ended = w_last[w_head];
      w_head = (w_head + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count - 1;
    end
    // A write clears every monitor that watches a byte it touched.
    if (do_write)
      for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++)
        if (mon_use[i] && mon_addr[i] < aw_addr[e] + total && aw_addr[e] < mon_addr[i] + mon_bytes[i]) mon_use[i] = 0;
    if (slot >= 0) begin
      b_use[slot] = 1; b_id[slot] = aw_id[e]; b_rsp[slot] = rsp; b_seq[slot] = seq; seq = seq + 1;
      b_at[slot] = cycle + latency_of(aw_addr[e], wr_latency);
      if (posted && do_write) begin
        p_pending[slot] = 1; p_addr[slot] = aw_addr[e]; p_len[slot] = n - 1; p_size[slot] = aw_size[e]; p_burst[slot] = aw_burst[e];
      end
    end
  endtask

  // A posted write reaches the memory when its response goes out.
  task automatic apply_posted(input int i);
    int unsigned a, word;
    for (int n = 0; n <= p_len[i]; n++) begin
      a = beat_addr(p_addr[i], p_len[i], p_size[i], burst_used(p_burst[i]), n);
      word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
      if (a < err_above)
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++)
          if ((p_strb[i][n][l] || ignore_strobes) && word + l < DEPTH) begin
            mem[word + l] = p_data[i][n][8*l +: 8];
            if (trace) $display("mem e%0d: posted beat %0d writes 0x%02h to 0x%0h (lane %0d)", cycle, n, p_data[i][n][8*l +: 8], word + l, l);
          end
    end
    p_pending[i] = 0;
  endtask

  int pick, extra;
  always @(posedge aclk) begin
    cycle = cycle + 1;
    if (!aresetn) begin
      aw_head = 0; aw_tail = 0; aw_count = 0; w_head = 0; w_tail = 0; w_count = 0; w_bursts = 0;
      for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) begin b_use[i] = 0; r_use[i] = 0; end
      b_driving = 0; r_driving = 0; r_cur = -1;
      awready <= 0; wready <= 0; arready <= 0; bvalid <= 0; rvalid <= 0;
    end else begin
      // -- AW: take a request while there is room --
      if (awvalid && awready) begin
        aw_id[aw_tail] = awid; aw_addr[aw_tail] = awaddr; aw_len[aw_tail] = awlen; aw_size[aw_tail] = awsize;
        aw_burst[aw_tail] = awburst; aw_lock[aw_tail] = awlock;
        aw_tail = (aw_tail + 1) % N; aw_count = aw_count + 1;
      end
      // -- W: take a beat while there is room --
      if (wvalid && wready) begin
        w_data[w_tail] = wdata; w_strb[w_tail] = wstrb; w_last[w_tail] = wlast;
        w_tail = (w_tail + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count + 1;
        if (wlast) w_bursts = w_bursts + 1;
      end
      // -- a complete burst with its request: write it and schedule B --
      if (aw_count > 0 && w_bursts > 0) begin
        write_burst(aw_head);
        aw_head = (aw_head + 1) % N; aw_count = aw_count - 1; w_bursts = w_bursts - 1;
        early_done = 0;
      end else if (early_b && !early_done && w_count > 0 && w_bursts == 0) begin
        // The broken twin: a response as soon as the first write beat arrived, before WLAST and,
        // when the data came first, before the address.
        pick = free_b();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          b_use[pick] = 1; b_id[pick] = (aw_count > 0) ? aw_id[aw_head] : awid; b_rsp[pick] = OKAY; b_seq[pick] = seq; seq = seq + 1; b_at[pick] = cycle;
          early_done = 1;
        end
      end
      // -- B: finish a handshake, then put the next response on the wires --
      if (b_driving && bready) b_driving = 0;
      if (!b_driving) begin
        pick = pick_b();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          if (p_pending[pick]) apply_posted(pick);
          b_driving = 1; bid <= b_id[pick]; bresp <= b_rsp[pick]; b_use[pick] = 0;
        end
      end
      bvalid <= b_driving;
      // -- AR: take a request while there is room --
      if (arvalid && arready) begin
        pick = free_r();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          r_use[pick] = 1; r_id[pick] = arid; r_addr[pick] = araddr; r_len[pick] = arlen; r_size[pick] = arsize; r_burst[pick] = arburst;
          r_lock[pick] = arlock; r_beat[pick] = 0; r_seq[pick] = seq; seq = seq + 1; r_served[pick] = -1;
          r_at[pick] = cycle + latency_of(araddr, rd_latency);
          if (arlock && excl_on) begin
            mon_use[arid] = 1; mon_addr[arid] = araddr; mon_bytes[arid] = (1 << arsize) * (arlen + 1);
            $display("mem e%0d: exclusive read id=%0d at 0x%0h: monitor set", cycle, arid, araddr);
          end
        end
      end
      // -- R: finish a handshake, then put the next beat on the wires --
      if (r_driving && !rready && drop_hold) rdata <= rdata + 1;   // the broken twin: data not held
      if (r_driving && rready) begin
        r_driving = 0;
        if (r_beat[r_cur] > r_len[r_cur]) begin r_use[r_cur] = 0; r_cur = -1; end
        else if (interleave) r_cur = -1;
      end
      if (!r_driving) begin
        pick = (r_cur >= 0) ? r_cur : pick_r();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          r_cur = pick; r_driving = 1; r_served[pick] = cycle;
          extra = r_beat[pick];
          rid <= r_id[pick];
          rdata <= read_word(beat_addr(r_addr[pick], r_len[pick], r_size[pick], burst_used(r_burst[pick]), extra));
          rresp <= (beat_addr(r_addr[pick], r_len[pick], r_size[pick], burst_used(r_burst[pick]), extra) >= err_above) ? SLVERR
                 : ((r_lock[pick] && excl_on) ? EXOKAY : OKAY);
          rlast <= (extra == r_len[pick]);
          r_beat[pick] = extra + 1;
        end
      end
      rvalid <= r_driving;
      awready <= (aw_count < N - 1);
      wready  <= (w_count < WQ - 2);
      arready <= 1;
    end
  end
endmodule
Read included file: axi_checker.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_checker.sv: the rules of an AXI4 interface, checked at every rising edge (read-only).
// Each broken rule is named with the channel and the edge where it was seen:
//   reset      a VALID is 1 while reset is active;
//   hold       a VALID dropped before its READY: the offer was withdrawn;
//   stable     a channel's payload changed while its offer waited;
//   known      a payload is x while its VALID is 1;
//   len        a FIXED or WRAP burst longer than 16 beats;
//   wrap       a WRAP burst whose length is not 2, 4, 8 or 16 beats or whose address is not aligned;
//   boundary   a burst that crosses a 4 KB boundary;
//   size       a transfer wider than the data bus;
//   strobe     a write strobe on a lane the beat does not address;
//   wlast      WLAST on the wrong beat (not AWLEN), or missing after it;
//   rlast      RLAST on the wrong beat of the oldest read with that ID, or missing after it;
//   border     BVALID before any outstanding write has its last beat, or before its AW;
//   bid, rid   a response ID with no outstanding request of that ID;
//   exokay     EXOKAY for a request that was not exclusive;
//   exclusive  an exclusive request whose bytes are not a power of two up to 128, or not aligned to them.
// The rules no checker can see on the wires (VALID must not wait for READY; same-ID responses
// in the order of their requests) are checked by the data the tasks compare (lessons P2.2, P2.10).
module axi_checker #(parameter int DATA_W = 32, parameter int ID_W = 4) (
  input logic              aclk,
  input logic              aresetn,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   awid,
  input logic [31:0]       awaddr,
  input logic [7:0]        awlen,
  input logic [2:0]        awsize,
  input logic [1:0]        awburst,
  input logic              awlock,
  input logic              awvalid,
  input logic              awready,
  input logic [DATA_W-1:0] wdata,
  input logic [DATA_W/8-1:0] wstrb,
  input logic              wlast,
  input logic              wvalid,
  input logic              wready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   bid,
  input logic [1:0]        bresp,
  input logic              bvalid,
  input logic              bready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   arid,
  input logic [31:0]       araddr,
  input logic [7:0]        arlen,
  input logic [2:0]        arsize,
  input logic [1:0]        arburst,
  input logic              arlock,
  input logic              arvalid,
  input logic              arready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   rid,
  input logic [DATA_W-1:0] rdata,
  input logic [1:0]        rresp,
  input logic              rlast,
  input logic              rvalid,
  input logic              rready
);
  import axi_pkg::*;
  localparam int BUS = DATA_W / 8;
  localparam int Q = 64;
  int cycle = -1, writes = 0, reads = 0, stalls = 0, broken = 0;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] used;

  function void report(input string rule, input string what);
    broken++;
    $display("RULE %s broken at edge %0d: %s", rule, cycle, what);
  endfunction

  // Previous values of every channel, for hold and stable.
  logic p_awv = 0, p_awr = 0, p_wv = 0, p_wr = 0, p_bv = 0, p_br = 0, p_arv = 0, p_arr = 0, p_rv = 0, p_rr = 0;
  logic [31:0] p_awaddr, p_araddr;
  logic [7:0] p_awlen, p_arlen;
  logic [2:0] p_awsize, p_arsize;
  logic [1:0] p_awburst, p_arburst, p_bresp, p_rresp;
  logic [ID_W-1:0] p_awid, p_arid, p_bid, p_rid;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] p_wdata, p_rdata;
  logic [BUS-1:0] p_wstrb;
  logic p_wlast, p_rlast, p_awlock, p_arlock;

  // Write requests in order (AXI4 write data follows the order of the addresses).
  int unsigned q_addr [0:Q-1];
  int q_len [0:Q-1];
  logic [2:0] q_size [0:Q-1];
  logic [1:0] q_burst [0:Q-1];
  int aw_n = 0;                 // requests accepted
  int wb_n = 0;                 // write bursts started
  int wb_done = 0;              // write bursts ended (WLAST seen)
  int w_beat = 0;               // beats so far in the current burst
  int b_n = 0;                  // responses given
  // Beats recorded for bursts that ran ahead of their AW: strobes and count, checked when AW arrives.
  logic [BUS-1:0] rec_strb [0:Q-1][0:255];
  int rec_beats [0:Q-1];
  logic rec_open [0:Q-1];
  // Outstanding requests per ID, and the read requests per ID in order.
  int aw_out [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], ar_out [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], aw_excl [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], ar_excl [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int rq_len [0:(1<<ID_W)-1][0:15];
  int rq_head [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], rq_tail [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], r_beat [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  initial for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++) begin aw_out[i] = 0; ar_out[i] = 0; aw_excl[i] = 0; ar_excl[i] = 0; rq_head[i] = 0; rq_tail[i] = 0; r_beat[i] = 0; end
  initial for (int i = 0; i < Q; i++) begin rec_beats[i] = 0; rec_open[i] = 0; end

  function automatic bit pow2_le128(input int unsigned n);
    return (n == 1 || n == 2 || n == 4 || n == 8 || n == 16 || n == 32 || n == 64 || n == 128);
  endfunction

  task automatic check_request(input string ch, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock);
    int unsigned bytes = (1 << size) * (len + 1);
    if ((burst == FIXED || burst == WRAP) && len > 15) report("len", $sformatf("%s: a %s burst of %0d beats (16 at most)", ch, burst_name(burst), len + 1));
    if (burst == WRAP && !(len == 1 || len == 3 || len == 7 || len == 15)) report("wrap", $sformatf("%s: a WRAP burst of %0d beats (2, 4, 8 or 16)", ch, len + 1));
    if (burst == WRAP && (addr % (1 << size)) != 0) report("wrap", $sformatf("%s: WRAP burst at 0x%0h is not aligned to its %0d-byte transfers", ch, addr, 1 << size));
    if (burst == 2'b11) report("len", $sformatf("%s: burst type 2'b11 is reserved", ch));
    if ((1 << size) > BUS) report("size", $sformatf("%s: %0d-byte transfers on a %0d-byte bus", ch, 1 << size, BUS));
    if (crosses_4k(addr, len, size, burst)) report("boundary", $sformatf("%s: burst at 0x%0h, %0d beats of %0d bytes, crosses a 4 KB boundary", ch, addr, len + 1, 1 << size));
    if (lock && (!pow2_le128(bytes) || (addr % bytes) != 0)) report("exclusive", $sformatf("%s: exclusive access of %0d bytes at 0x%0h (a power of two up to 128, aligned)", ch, bytes, addr));
  endtask

  task automatic check_strobe(input int k, input int n, input logic [BUS-1:0] strb);
    logic [63:0] allowed = beat_strb(q_addr[k % Q], q_len[k % Q], q_size[k % Q], q_burst[k % Q], n, BUS);
    if ((strb & ~allowed[BUS-1:0]) != 0)
      report("strobe", $sformatf("W beat %0d of write %0d: strobe %b on lanes outside %b", n, k, strb, allowed[BUS-1:0]));
  endtask

  always @(posedge aclk) begin
    cycle++;
    if (!aresetn) begin
      if (awvalid === 1 || wvalid === 1 || arvalid === 1) report("reset", "a manager VALID is 1 during reset");
      if (bvalid === 1 || rvalid === 1) report("reset", "a subordinate VALID is 1 during reset");
    end else begin
      // hold, stable and known, per channel
      if (p_awv && !p_awr && awvalid !== 1) report("hold", "AWVALID dropped before AWREADY");
      if (p_awv && !p_awr && awvalid === 1 && (awaddr !== p_awaddr || awlen !== p_awlen || awsize !== p_awsize || awburst !== p_awburst || awid !== p_awid || awlock !== p_awlock)) report("stable", "AW payload changed while the request waited");
      if (p_wv && !p_wr && wvalid !== 1) report("hold", "WVALID dropped before WREADY");
      if (p_wv && !p_wr && wvalid === 1 && (wdata !== p_wdata || wstrb !== p_wstrb || wlast !== p_wlast)) report("stable", "W payload changed while the beat waited");
      if (p_bv && !p_br && bvalid !== 1) report("hold", "BVALID dropped before BREADY");
      if (p_bv && !p_br && bvalid === 1 && (bresp !== p_bresp || bid !== p_bid)) report("stable", "B payload changed while the response waited");
      if (p_arv && !p_arr && arvalid !== 1) report("hold", "ARVALID dropped before ARREADY");
      if (p_arv && !p_arr && arvalid === 1 && (araddr !== p_araddr || arlen !== p_arlen || arsize !== p_arsize || arburst !== p_arburst || arid !== p_arid || arlock !== p_arlock)) report("stable", "AR payload changed while the request waited");
      if (p_rv && !p_rr && rvalid !== 1) report("hold", "RVALID dropped before RREADY");
      if (p_rv && !p_rr && rvalid === 1 && (rdata !== p_rdata || rresp !== p_rresp || rid !== p_rid || rlast !== p_rlast)) report("stable", "R payload changed while the beat waited");
      if (awvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(awaddr) || $isunknown(awlen) || $isunknown(awsize) || $isunknown(awburst) || $isunknown(awid))) report("known", "AW payload is x while AWVALID is 1");
      if (wvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(wstrb) || $isunknown(wlast))) report("known", "W strobe or last is x while WVALID is 1");
      else if (wvalid === 1) begin
        used = '0;
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++) if (wstrb[l] === 1) used[8*l +: 8] = 8'hff;
        if ($isunknown(wdata & used)) report("known", "W data is x on a strobed lane while WVALID is 1");
      end
      if (arvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(araddr) || $isunknown(arlen) || $isunknown(arsize) || $isunknown(arburst) || $isunknown(arid))) report("known", "AR payload is x while ARVALID is 1");
      if (bvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(bresp) || $isunknown(bid))) report("known", "B payload is x while BVALID is 1");
      if (rvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(rresp) || $isunknown(rid) || $isunknown(rlast))) report("known", "R payload is x while RVALID is 1");
      if ((awvalid === 1 && awready !== 1) || (wvalid === 1 && wready !== 1) || (arvalid === 1 && arready !== 1) ||
          (bvalid === 1 && bready !== 1) || (rvalid === 1 && rready !== 1)) stalls++;
      // AW accepted
      if (awvalid === 1 && awready === 1) begin
        check_request("AW", awaddr, awlen, awsize, awburst, awlock);
        q_addr[aw_n % Q] = awaddr; q_len[aw_n % Q] = awlen; q_size[aw_n % Q] = awsize; q_burst[aw_n % Q] = awburst;
        aw_out[awid]++; if (awlock) aw_excl[awid]++;
        // beats of this write that arrived before its address: check them now
        if (rec_beats[aw_n % Q] > 0) begin
          for (int n = 0; n < rec_beats[aw_n % Q]; n++) check_strobe(aw_n, n, rec_strb[aw_n % Q][n]);
          if (!rec_open[aw_n % Q] && rec_beats[aw_n % Q] != awlen + 1)
            report("wlast", $sformatf("write %0d sent %0d beats before its AW said AWLEN=%0d", aw_n, rec_beats[aw_n % Q], awlen));
          if (!rec_open[aw_n % Q]) rec_beats[aw_n % Q] = 0;
        end
        aw_n++;
      end
      // W beat accepted
      if (wvalid === 1 && wready === 1) begin
        if (w_beat == 0) begin wb_n++; rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; rec_open[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 1; end
        if (wb_n <= aw_n) begin
          check_strobe(wb_n - 1, w_beat, wstrb);
          if (wlast === 1 && w_beat != q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]) report("wlast", $sformatf("WLAST on beat %0d of write %0d, AWLEN=%0d", w_beat, wb_n - 1, q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]));
          if (wlast !== 1 && w_beat == q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]) report("wlast", $sformatf("beat %0d of write %0d is AWLEN=%0d but WLAST is 0", w_beat, wb_n - 1, q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]));
        end else begin
          rec_strb[(wb_n - 1) % Q][w_beat] = wstrb;
        end
        rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = w_beat + 1;
        w_beat++;
        if (wlast === 1) begin w_beat = 0; wb_done++; rec_open[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; if (wb_n <= aw_n) rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; end
      end
      // B offered or accepted
      if (bvalid === 1 && !p_bv) begin
        if (b_n >= aw_n && b_n >= wb_done) report("border", "BVALID with no write to answer: neither an AW nor a WLAST is outstanding");
        else if (b_n >= wb_done) report("border", "BVALID before the last beat of the write it answers");
        else if (b_n >= aw_n) report("border", "BVALID before the AW of the write it answers was accepted");
      end
      if (bvalid === 1 && bready === 1) begin
        if (aw_out[bid] == 0) report("bid", $sformatf("B with id %0d, which has no outstanding write", bid));
        else begin
          aw_out[bid]--; writes++;
          if (bresp === EXOKAY && aw_excl[bid] == 0) report("exokay", $sformatf("EXOKAY for write id %0d, which was not exclusive", bid));
          if (aw_excl[bid] > 0 && aw_excl[bid] > aw_out[bid]) aw_excl[bid] = aw_out[bid];
        end
        b_n++;
      end
      // AR accepted
      if (arvalid === 1 && arready === 1) begin
        check_request("AR", araddr, arlen, arsize, arburst, arlock);
        rq_len[arid][rq_tail[arid]] = arlen; rq_tail[arid] = (rq_tail[arid] + 1) % 16;
        ar_out[arid]++; if (arlock) ar_excl[arid]++;
      end
      // R beat accepted
      if (rvalid === 1 && rready === 1) begin
        if (ar_out[rid] == 0) report("rid", $sformatf("R with id %0d, which has no outstanding read", rid));
        else begin
          if (rlast === 1 && r_beat[rid] != rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]])
            report("rlast", $sformatf("RLAST on beat %0d of the oldest read with id %0d, whose ARLEN is %0d", r_beat[rid], rid, rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]]));
          if (rlast !== 1 && r_beat[rid] == rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]])
            report("rlast", $sformatf("beat %0d of the oldest read with id %0d is its ARLEN but RLAST is 0", r_beat[rid], rid));
          if (rresp === EXOKAY && ar_excl[rid] == 0) report("exokay", $sformatf("EXOKAY for read id %0d, which was not exclusive", rid));
          r_beat[rid]++;
          if (rlast === 1) begin
            r_beat[rid] = 0; rq_head[rid] = (rq_head[rid] + 1) % 16; ar_out[rid]--; reads++;
            if (ar_excl[rid] > ar_out[rid]) ar_excl[rid] = ar_out[rid];
          end
        end
      end
    end
    p_awv = (awvalid === 1); p_awr = (awready === 1); p_wv = (wvalid === 1); p_wr = (wready === 1);
    p_bv = (bvalid === 1); p_br = (bready === 1); p_arv = (arvalid === 1); p_arr = (arready === 1);
    p_rv = (rvalid === 1); p_rr = (rready === 1);
    p_awaddr = awaddr; p_awlen = awlen; p_awsize = awsize; p_awburst = awburst; p_awid = awid; p_awlock = awlock;
    p_wdata = wdata; p_wstrb = wstrb; p_wlast = wlast; p_bresp = bresp; p_bid = bid;
    p_araddr = araddr; p_arlen = arlen; p_arsize = arsize; p_arburst = arburst; p_arid = arid; p_arlock = arlock;
    p_rdata = rdata; p_rresp = rresp; p_rid = rid; p_rlast = rlast;
  end
  final $display("checker: %0d writes, %0d reads, %0d stalled edges, %0d rules broken", writes, reads, stalls, broken);
endmodule
Read included file: axi_tasks.svh
// axi_tasks.svh: the manager side of the bench, as tasks for the stimulus (read-only).
// Data for a write burst goes in wd[0], wd[1], ... (one entry per beat, the lowest byte at the
// lowest address); the data of a read comes back in rd[0], rd[1], ... with its responses in rr[].
// Every task prints the beat log: one line per handshake, with the edge where it happened.
// `cycle` counts rising edges from 0.
int cycle = -1;
always @(posedge aclk) cycle = cycle + 1;

logic [63:0] wd [0:255];
logic [63:0] rd [0:255];
logic [1:0]  rr [0:255];
logic [63:0] rdq [0:15][0:255];     // read data per ID, for reads collected out of order
logic [1:0]  rrq [0:15][0:255];
int          rdn [0:15];            // beats received per ID
logic [1:0]  last_bresp = 0;
int          last_beats = 0;
// What the task is driving right now, for the waveform scenes: the address and lanes of the beat.
int unsigned beat_a = 0;
logic [7:0]  beat_m = 0;
// quiet = 1 silences the beat log (a predict item can then ask for a dump line instead).
bit          quiet = 0;
// Strobe override: when strb_force is 1, every write beat uses strb_val as it is.
bit          strb_force = 0;
logic [7:0]  strb_val = 8'hff;
// Outstanding read requests per ID, so the tasks know the lanes of the beats that come back.
int unsigned arq_addr [0:15][0:7];
int          arq_len [0:15][0:7];
logic [2:0]  arq_size [0:15][0:7];
logic [1:0]  arq_burst [0:15][0:7];
int          arq_head [0:15], arq_tail [0:15];
initial for (int i = 0; i < 16; i++) begin arq_head[i] = 0; arq_tail[i] = 0; rdn[i] = 0; end
// READY patterns for the response channels: bit (cycle % 16) of the pattern drives the signal.
bit          rpat_on = 0, bpat_on = 0;
logic [15:0] rpat = 16'hffff, bpat = 16'hffff;
always @(posedge aclk) begin
  #1;
  if (rpat_on) rready = rpat[cycle % 16];
  if (bpat_on) bready = bpat[cycle % 16];
end

// A text waveform for the lesson's trace blocks: with watch = 1, one line per rising edge with the
// values sampled at that edge (cycle k of a trace is what edge k sees).
bit watch = 0;
int wave_edge = -1;
always @(posedge aclk) begin
  wave_edge = wave_edge + 1;
  if (watch) $display("wave e%0d: aw=%b%b w=%b%b b=%b%b ar=%b%b r=%b%b awaddr=%h wdata=%h wstrb=%b wlast=%b bid=%h bresp=%b araddr=%h rid=%h rdata=%h rresp=%b rlast=%b",
                      wave_edge, awvalid, awready, wvalid, wready, bvalid, bready, arvalid, arready, rvalid, rready,
                      awaddr, wdata, wstrb, wlast, bid, bresp, araddr, rid, rdata, rresp, rlast);
end

// Drive RREADY (ch = 0) or BREADY (ch = 1) from a 16-bit pattern; 16'hffff restores always ready.
task automatic ready_pattern(input int ch, input logic [15:0] pat);
  if (ch == 0) begin rpat = pat; rpat_on = 1; rready = pat[cycle % 16]; end
  else begin bpat = pat; bpat_on = 1; bready = pat[cycle % 16]; end
endtask

// The write address channel: offer the request and hold it until it is taken.
task automatic aw_issue(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  awid = id; awaddr = addr; awlen = len[7:0]; awsize = size; awburst = burst; awlock = lock; awvalid = 1;
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!awready);
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d AW id=%0d addr=0x%0h len=%0d size=%0d %0s%0s", cycle, id, addr, len, size, burst_name(burst), lock ? " exclusive" : "");
  awvalid = 0; awaddr = 'x; awlen = 'x; awsize = 'x; awburst = 'x; awid = 'x; awlock = 0;
endtask

// The write data channel: the beats of one burst from wd[first..], each placed in its lanes.
task automatic w_burst(input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst, input int first = 0);
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  for (int n = 0; n <= len; n++) begin
    lanes = beat_lanes(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    beat_a = beat_addr(addr, len, size, burst, n);
    beat_m = strb_force ? strb_val : beat_strb(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    wdata = wd[first + n] << (8 * lanes[7:0]);
    wstrb = beat_m[BUS_BYTES-1:0];
    wlast = (n == len);
    wvalid = 1;
    do @(posedge aclk); while (!wready);
    #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d W  beat %0d data=0x%0h strb=%b last=%0d  addr 0x%0h lanes %0d-%0d", cycle, n, wdata, wstrb, wlast, beat_a, lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8]);
  end
  wvalid = 0; wdata = 'x; wstrb = 'x; wlast = 0; beat_m = 0;
endtask

// Wait for the write response of one transaction with this ID.
task automatic b_wait(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id);
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!(bvalid && bready && bid == id));
  last_bresp = bresp;                       // sampled at the edge, before the subordinate moves on
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d B  id=%0d %0s", cycle, id, resp_name(last_bresp));
endtask

// A complete write. order 0 offers the address, then the first beat one cycle later whether or
// not the address has been taken yet (a manager must never make WVALID wait for AWREADY); 1 offers
// the beats first and the address after beat 0; 2 offers the address and beat 0 in the same cycle.
// Returns after B, with the response in last_bresp.
task automatic axi_write(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                         input logic [1:0] burst, input int order = 0, input logic lock = 0);
  case (order)
    1: fork
         w_burst(addr, len, size, burst);
         begin @(posedge aclk); #1 aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock); end
       join
    2: fork
         aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
         w_burst(addr, len, size, burst);
       join
    default: fork
         aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
         begin @(posedge aclk); #1 w_burst(addr, len, size, burst); end
       join
  endcase
  b_wait(id);
endtask

// The read address channel: offer the request and remember it for the beats that come back.
task automatic ar_issue(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  arq_addr[id][arq_tail[id]] = addr; arq_len[id][arq_tail[id]] = len; arq_size[id][arq_tail[id]] = size;
  arq_burst[id][arq_tail[id]] = burst; arq_tail[id] = (arq_tail[id] + 1) % 8;
  arid = id; araddr = addr; arlen = len[7:0]; arsize = size; arburst = burst; arlock = lock; arvalid = 1;
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!arready);
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d AR id=%0d addr=0x%0h len=%0d size=%0d %0s%0s", cycle, id, addr, len, size, burst_name(burst), lock ? " exclusive" : "");
  arvalid = 0; araddr = 'x; arlen = 'x; arsize = 'x; arburst = 'x; arid = 'x; arlock = 0;
endtask

// Collect read beats until n transactions have ended (their RLAST). Each beat lands in rdq[rid][k]
// with only the bytes of the transfer (lane-shifted down), and rd[] holds the last transaction.
task automatic r_collect(input int n);
  int done = 0, h;
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  logic [63:0] bytes;
  logic [ID_W-1:0] id;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] data;
  logic [1:0] resp;
  logic last;
  while (done < n) begin
    do @(posedge aclk); while (!(rvalid && rready));
    id = rid; data = rdata; resp = rresp; last = rlast;   // sampled at the edge, before the subordinate moves on
    h = arq_head[id];
    lanes = beat_lanes(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id], BUS_BYTES);
    beat_a = beat_addr(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id]);
    beat_m = beat_strb(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id], BUS_BYTES);
    bytes = (data >> (8 * lanes[7:0])) & ((64'h1 << (8 * (lanes[15:8] - lanes[7:0] + 1))) - 1);
    rdq[id][rdn[id]] = bytes; rrq[id][rdn[id]] = resp;
    #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d R  id=%0d beat %0d data=0x%0h %0s%0s  addr 0x%0h lanes %0d-%0d", cycle, id, rdn[id], bytes, resp_name(resp),
                last ? " last" : "", beat_a, lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8]);
    rdn[id] = rdn[id] + 1;
    if (last) begin
      for (int k = 0; k < rdn[id]; k++) begin rd[k] = rdq[id][k]; rr[k] = rrq[id][k]; end
      last_beats = rdn[id]; rdn[id] = 0; arq_head[id] = (h + 1) % 8; done = done + 1;
    end
  end
  beat_m = 0;
endtask

// A complete read: AR, then every beat, into rd[] and rr[].
task automatic axi_read(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  ar_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
  r_collect(1);
endtask

// The table of a burst before it runs: the address, lanes and strobe of every beat.
task automatic beat_table(input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst);
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  logic [63:0] s;
  int unsigned a;
  $display("burst at 0x%0h: %0d beat%0s of %0d byte%0s, %0s, bus %0d bytes", addr, len + 1, len ? "s" : "", 1 << size, size ? "s" : "",
           burst_name(burst), BUS_BYTES);
  $display("  beat  address  lanes  strobe");
  for (int n = 0; n <= len; n++) begin
    lanes = beat_lanes(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    s = beat_strb(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    a = beat_addr(addr, len, size, burst, n);
    $display("  %4d  0x%05h  %0d-%0d    %b", n, a[19:0], lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8], s[BUS_BYTES-1:0]);
  end
  if (crosses_4k(addr, len, size, burst)) $display("  this burst crosses a 4 KB boundary");
endtask

// One byte of the memory that owns an address (the fabric's second memory above 0x8000).
function automatic logic [7:0] mem_byte(input int unsigned a);
`ifdef AXI_MEM1
  if (a >= 32'h8000) return `AXI_MEM1.mem[a];
`endif
  return `AXI_MEM.mem[a];
endfunction
task automatic set_byte(input int unsigned a, input logic [7:0] v);
`ifdef AXI_MEM1
  if (a >= 32'h8000) `AXI_MEM1.mem[a] = v;
  else `AXI_MEM.mem[a] = v;
`else
  `AXI_MEM.mem[a] = v;
`endif
endtask

// The memory, n bytes from addr, one bus word per group.
task automatic dump(input int unsigned addr, input int n);
  string line;
  int unsigned a = (addr / 16) * 16;
  while (a < addr + n) begin
    line = $sformatf("0x%05h ", a[19:0]);
    for (int i = 0; i < 16; i++) begin
      if (i % BUS_BYTES == 0) line = {line, " "};
      line = {line, $sformatf(" %02h", mem_byte(a + i))};
    end
    $display("%s", line);
    a = a + 16;
  end
endtask

// Fill n bytes from addr with first, first+1, ... so untouched bytes stay recognisable.
task automatic mem_fill(input int unsigned addr, input int n, input logic [7:0] first = 8'h00);
  for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) set_byte(addr + i, first + i[7:0]);
endtask

// Drive nothing for n cycles.
task automatic idle(input int n);
  repeat (n) @(posedge aclk);
  #1;
endtask
Read the waveformThe trace shows the beat addresses of a four-beat WRAP burst as the task drives them. In which cycle does the address wrap back to the start of the window?
Beat addresses of a WRAP burst from 0x108
01234wvalidwreadybeat_addr10810c100104wlast

One beat per cycle; four 4-byte beats, so the window is 16 bytes.

ConceptA request has AWLEN = 3 and AWSIZE = 2. How much does the burst move at most?
ConceptWhich transaction needs a FIXED burst?

Remember

  • A burst is AxLEN + 1 beats of 2^AxSIZE bytes, moving by AxBURST: INCR, WRAP or FIXED. Nothing ends a burst early.
  • Beat 0 is at the start address; every later beat is at the aligned start plus its number times the size. The subordinate computes them; the wires carry only the first.
  • A WRAP burst runs inside a window of size times length bytes and returns to the window's start when it reaches the end. It must start aligned to its size and be 2, 4, 8 or 16 beats long.
  • No burst crosses a 4 KB boundary, because the interconnect routes a burst from its first address alone. Only INCR can cross, and a checker sees it at the request.
  • A subordinate that computes the addresses wrongly breaks no rule on the wires. Only the data, checked against the address rules, shows it.

Practice