difference between SAIF and VCD file

saif file

Can anybody please explain diff. between the SAIF and VCD.? how and when SAIF will b generated?

vcd saif

saif contains the switching profile of the simulation data generally used by prime power.vcd files contain all the information that might be carried by saif but it is more lengthy and sometimes contain redundant information.

saif vcd

I dont understand the reason to repeat this???

deepak_manikandan said:

saif contains the switching profile of the simulation data generally used by prime power.vcd files contain all the information that might be carried by saif but it is more lengthy and sometimes contain redundant information.

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saif files

To analyze the average power comsumption of a period, SAIF can be used. VCD file can be used to analyze dynamic power comsumption.

saif power

SAIF : STATIC
VCD : Dynamic

both needed for power analysis nd optimization.

vcd to saif

HOw to generate .saif file from a verilog file ?
if i have a file written in bluespec code, how to generate the .saif file from it ?

generating saif file

saif file - contains toggle counts and time information like how much time a signal was in 1 state(T1), 0 state(T0) , x state (TX). Also in backward saif file you can have timing information, arc information just like .lib (read saif manual).

vcd file - contains value changes of a signal. i.e. at what times signals changes their values. saif does not contains this information. it contains cumulative information of vcd.
you can convert a vcd file into saif file using Synopsys vcd2saif binary and see the effect.

Effectively vcd file is a superset of saif file. Any application which needs time stamps of individual value changes must have to use vcd e.g. time based power estimation or if you have a vcd file which is simulated between 0 to 10ns then you can do power analysis for any time range between 0 to 10ns e.g. power for 2-5, 3-7...
but for saif you can not do you have to regenerate saif for these time intervals.

saif power estimation

saif file and vcd both needed for power analysis nd optimization?
if you have gate level vcd file , you don't need saif file and you can analysis your power .
because prime power can get those switch actitive/ toggle rate /sp from vcd file.