Breaking Good: Why Virtual Hardware Prefers Rough Handling
Simulation is a super power: it lets you develop faster, debug harder, collaborate better, and test stronger.
In this session, we'll explore how leveraging virtual hardware platforms like Wokwi can transform the embedded systems and IoT development landscape: speeding up your code-flash-test cycles, running unlimited hardware-in-the-loop tests without actual hardware, breaking free from breakpoint limitations, and sharing your complete hardware and firmware setup with your HAL allies instantly.
What was the main practical benefit Uri described from using simulation while developing the Skull (ATtiny) firmware?
Thanks Andrew!
Behind the scenes, the Verilog code is translated into C++ code using Yosys's CXXRTL backend, compiled into Web Assembly using emscripten, and then Wokwi just sees it as a standard custom chip. You can find all the magic here - compile.sh will show you the commands we're running to compile the code, and src/main.cpp is a small shim that makes the bridge between CXXRTL and the Wokwi Custom Chips API.
For Tiny Tapeout, we're using GitHub actions to go from verilog into a GDSII file (that's the file you send to the file for fabrication).
We also plan to add experimental support for ICE40UP5K over the next few weeks - so please keep your eye open :)
Great talk, Uri! This is such a neat tool.
Such a cool tool, Uri! Thanks for the shout out :)
Every time I learn more about Wokwi, I find new things I want to try.
Fantastic presentation, Uri.
Thank you!
Abseloutly great !
This is insane. I am so excited to try your tool!
Thank you for a great tool!
I've heard about the Wokwi a couple of years ago. I'm currently teaching embedded related subjects at University in Paraguay. Unfortunately, the University here lacks resources to buy the newer dev boards and sensors. Wokwi has opened the doors for my students to experiment with different dev boards, sensors and output devices, also play around with gdb and tools such as logic analyzer. Thank you Uri.
Thankyou, that was very well edited and thought out.
Hi, thank you for this amazing talk. I am a huge fan of simulations and it is amazing to learn what Wokwi can do:). Could you provide more details about the Verilog execution? How do you perform synthesis and place and route steps for your custom ASIC? Have you or anyone else in what Wokwi community considered adding support for some small FPGA :)?