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Formal Verification of Digital Circuits Using Symbolic Ternary System Models


Author(s) : Carl-johan Seger Randal E. Bryant, 
Publisher : N/A
Publication Date : 1990
ISSN : N/A
Abstract : Ternary system modeling involves extending the traditional set of binary values f0; 1g with a third value X indicating an unknown or indeterminate condition. By making this extension, we can model a wider range of circuit phenomena. We can also efficiently verify sequential circuits in which the effect of a given operation depends on only a subset of the total system state. This paper presents a formal methodology for verifying synchronous digital circuits using a ternary system model. The desired behavior of the circuit is expressed as assertions in a notation using a combination of Boolean expressions and temporal logic operators. An assertion is verified by translating it into a sequence of patterns and checks for a ternary symbolic simulator. This methodology has been used to verify a number of full scale circuit designs.,