About Mike Bartley

Dr Mike Bartley has over 30 years of experience in software testing and hardware verification. He has built and managed state-of-the-art test and verification teams inside several companies (including STMicroelectronics, Infineon, Panasonic, and the start-up ClearSpeed) and also advised several companies on organisational verification strategies (ARM, NXP, and multiple start-ups). Mike successfully founded and grew a software test and hardware verification services company to 450+ engineers globally, delivering services and solutions to over 50+ clients in various technologies and industries. The company was acquired by Tessolve Semiconductors, a global company with 3000+ employees supporting clients in VLSI, silicon test and qualification, PCB, and embedded product development in multiple vertical industries. Mike is currently a Senior VP at Tessolve supporting VLSI globally, focusing on helping companies incorporate the latest verification techniques and strategies into their verification flows and building verification teams to support these companies in implementing them on IP and SoC projects. He is also responsible for the Tessolve Centres of Excellence running all R&D projects with Tessolve, including building a new AI capability across all Tessolve products and services. Mike has a PhD in Mathematics (Bristol University), and 9 MSc in various subjects including management (MBA), software engineering, computer security robotics and AI, corporate finance, and blockchain and digital currency. He is currently studying part-time for an MSc in quantum computing at the University of Sussex and the use of technology in healthcare at the University of Glasgow.

Introduction to FPGA and Verification of FPGA-based designs

The Evolution of FPGA Technology The evolution of FPGA technology is a testament to innovation and perseverance in the semiconductor industry, according to FpgaKey, (2020). Introduced by Xilinx in 1985 with the release of the XC2064, the first FPGA product featured a 2μm process, 64 logic modules, and 85,000 transistors—an "ugly duckling" by today's standards.

Ultra Maritime – Integration of Atlassian Bamboo with MathWorks Tools for FPGA Development

Introduction: Elevating Software Development Practices In the fast-paced world of software development, staying ahead of the competition requires continuous improvement and innovative methodologies, as highlighted by Amor and Ultra Maritime, (2024). Integrating Model-Based Design (MBD), Agile/Scrum methodologies and Continuous Integration (CI) has become crucial in enhancing collaboration, increasing productivity, and ensuring high-quality software output. This

Semify – Utilizing Cocotb for Efficient Functional Verification

Introduction to Semify's Verification Revolution According to Tchilikov, (2024), Semify is reshaping the landscape of hardware verification by integrating cutting-edge tools and methodologies. By leveraging Cocotb, a Python-based framework, they have streamlined the verification process, offering engineers a more straightforward, faster, and more effective way to verify modern hardware systems. This innovative approach enables

SynthWorks – Why Should Our Team be Using VHDL + OSVVM for Verification

What is VHDL? VHDL (VHSIC Hardware Description Language) is a powerful hardware description language used for designing and simulating digital systems, such as FPGAs (Field- Programmable Gate Arrays) and ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits), according to Aldec, (2025). It enables engineers to describe the behavior, structure, and functionality of digital circuits at various levels of abstraction,

EmLogic – Modern VHDL Testbenches (FPGA)

Unlocking Efficiency with UVVM in FPGA Verification Espen Tallaksen, (2024) states that the Universal VHDL Verification Methodology (UVVM) has emerged as a groundbreaking solution for FPGA verification, transforming how designers approach testing and validation. UVVM offers a structured and open-source framework, making it an essential tool for modern verification workflows. With its comprehensive architecture, UVVM

Automated Hardware Verification with Genetic Algorithms

What are Genetic Algorithms? Genetic Algorithms (GAs) are adaptive heuristic search techniques inspired by natural selection and genetics principles, according to GeeksforGeeks, (2024). They are part of evolutionary algorithms created to solve complex optimization problems by imitating the evolutionary process. In genetic algorithms (GAs), a population of potential solutions represents chromosomes, each consisting of genes

Samtec – Flyover technology, low loss, low latency interconnect solutions for AI/ML

View PDF Introduction Samtec offers a comprehensive range of high-performance interconnect solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of various markets, including data centers and artificial intelligence applications, as highlighted by Carnero, (2024). Their product lineup includes cutting-edge technologies such as Flyover for minimal signal

Unlocking the untapped potential of machine learning on FPGAs with DevOps

View PDF What is Machine Learning? Machine learning (ML) is an advanced application of artificial intelligence (AI) that empowers systems to learn and make decisions from data without explicit programming, as stated by Gowri et al., (2019). Unlike traditional programming, which involves pre-defined instructions to