Electronic Design Verification Configuration Space Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic design verification methods face challenges in predicting the number of simulations needed and efficiently covering the configuration space, especially as IC complexity grows, leading to increased computational resource constraints and difficulties in identifying critical tests and redundant patterns.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that calculates configuration information without analyzing the electronic design, estimates verification effort, synthesizes coverage cross statements, and integrates manual and synthesized functional coverage results, enabling a focused set of simulations and identifying redundant patterns through a graphical user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tens of thousands of simulations are run to verify IC design, then verification coverage is improved, but computational resource consumption and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the configuration space before running simulations. It calculates the total number of configurations, identifies critical subspaces, and determines optimal test distributions in advance, allowing the verification process to be more efficient without sacrificing coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The verification process is divided into multiple phases: configuration space analysis, critical subspace identification, test generation, and execution. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently and enables parallel processing of different configuration subspaces
2Adaptability or versatility
If more configuration fields and constraint rules are added to stimulus, then design complexity and functionality are improved, but the number of required tests increases exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The system identifies and focuses on critical configuration subspaces that have the highest impact on design functionality. Rather than testing all possible configurations equally, it applies verification effort proportionally to the criticality and complexity of different configuration regions
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the high-dimensional configuration space problem into a structured analysis by introducing dimensions for criticality assessment, test coverage metrics, and subspace hierarchy. This allows complex configuration spaces to be managed through multi-dimensional analysis rather than brute-force enumeration
3Measurement precision
If manual coverage writing is performed to understand stimulus generation, then verification precision is improved, but the process becomes increasingly insufficient as state space grows
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors verification progress and coverage metrics during test execution. It compares actual coverage against target coverage, identifies gaps in real-time, and dynamically adjusts the test generation strategy to focus on under-tested configuration subspaces
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an automated configuration space analysis component that acts as an intermediary between manual coverage definitions and test execution. This intermediary automatically interprets coverage requirements, generates appropriate test cases, and validates coverage achievement, reducing the burden of manual coverage writing
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for electronic design verification. Embodiments may include providing an electronic design including, at least in part, one or more hardware description languages and one or more software programming languages. Embodiments may further include calculating configuration information without analyzing the electronic design, wherein the configuration information includes one or more memory elements configured to control a mode of operation of the electronic design. Embodiments may also include determining a change in the one or more memory elements and altering a function associated with the electronic design verification based upon, at least in part, the determined change.