Applying behavioural level test generation to high-level design validation

Matthias Gulbins and Bernd Straube Using behavioural level test generation approaches a systematic way for design validation can be achieved. Our technique GESTE (GEneration of Symbolic Tests by Solving Equations) generates symbolic tests from an algorithmic description. The substitution of the symbols provides test patterns. Insufficient access to the internal variables leads to great test generation effort and long simulation sequences. These difficulties are overcome by exploiting the debug mode of a simulator. First results with the SYNOPSYS simulator show a simplification of test generation and a reduction of the simulation time.