The two predominant logic simulation techniques are event-driven simulation, and levelized compiled code simulation. In the past, studies have been performed to characterize these algorithms, and compare their performance under various different conditions. However, these studies were done a number of years ago on equipment that varies substantially from the equipment that is available to us today. Today's equipment is less dependent on small tight loops than the equipment of several years ago. Furthermore, the studies that were done years ago we re generally done assuming a uniform activity rate throughout all parts of a complex circuit. In fact, activity rate varies substantially within a circuit, with high bursts of activity at various times. This paper examines a combined approach that can increase performance despite very low activity rates. A large number of studies were performed that show that the earlier assumptions about event-driven vs. oblivious simulation should be re-examined.
['Peter M. Maurer']
A second look at oblivious simulation