What is RTL simulation?

RTL simulation is a crucial step in the hardware design process, where the Register-Transfer Level (RTL) description of a digital circuit is simulated to verify its functionality before implementation. It involves creating a software model of the hardware described in languages like Verilog or VHDL and then applying test vectors to observe its behavior. This helps identify and correct design errors early in the development cycle, significantly reducing the risk of costly rework later on.