Variable delay in $past(sig_name, vari_delay) assertion

In reply to ben@SystemVerilog.us:

In reply to Nandeesha:
As you know, the expressions in $past must be static; it cannot be a variable or a sequence.

$past( expression1 [, number_of_ticks] [, expression2] [, clocking_event])

In your model, you seem to want to express something like

$changed(o_c_500k) |->($past($fell(ADC_START),var)==1) && 
($past($fell(ADC_START),var-1)==0);
// This is the wrong way to see or express an assertion.  The recommended approach is the 
// forward-looking.  Thus, instead of saying
// BAD STYLE:  If  some_sequence_of_events then some_events must have happened in the past. 
// BETTER STYLE:  If some_events then other events now or in the future 
// Something like
// Instead of
$changed(o_c_500k) |->($past($fell(ADC_START),5)==1) && 
($past($fell(ADC_START),4)==0);
// DO THIS
$fell(ADC_START) |->  strong(##1 $stable(ADC_START)  // (like your ",5" ",4"
##[1:$] $changed(o_c_500k));   

Ben Cohen
http://www.systemverilog.us/ ben@systemverilog.us
For training, consulting, services: contact Home - My cvcblr


  1. SVA Alternative for Complex Assertions
    https://verificationacademy.com/news/verification-horizons-march-2018-issue
  2. SVA: Package for dynamic and range delays and repeats - SystemVerilog - Verification Academy
  3. SVA in a UVM Class-based Environment
    https://verificationacademy.com/verification-horizons/february-2013-volume-9-issue-1/SVA-in-a-UVM-Class-based-Environment

Hi Ben, thanks for your solution.
From your solution below, I see you’re checking from 1 to infinite cycle($).
$fell(ADC_START) |-> strong(##1 stable(ADC_START) // (like your ",5" ",4" ##[1:] changed(o_c_500k)); But I need to check exactly after 'n' cycles. 'n' is through the register and has been randomized. It'll be keep on repeating in the loop. I can't check it from 1 to some cycles. And also, ‘n’ changes at negedge of the clock and ADC goes low at the posedge of the clock. So is there any way that I can sample at both the edges in the assertion. The $past works for only one value (i.e only if it’s hard coded).