Do you verify your designs or do you validate them? Trick question! While related, validation is different from verification, not a synonym or replacement for it. Validation certifies the SoC is true to the marketing requirements. That is, if marketing did their job right, then validation ensures the SoC will be a successful product. As challenging as verification is, validation is even more so. Let’s explore how to validate all dimensions of functionality, performance, power and potentially for systems-on-chip.