A new verification methodology for complex pipeline behavior

A new test program generation tool, MVpGen, is developed for verifying pipeline design of microprocessors. The only inputs MVpGen requires are pipeline-behavior specifications; it automatically generates test cases at first from pipeline-behavior specifications and then automatically generates test programs corresponding to the test cases. Test programs for verifying complex pipeline behavior such as hazard and branch or hazard and exception, are generated. mVpGen has been integrated into a verification system for verifying RTL descriptions of a real microprocessor design and complex bugs that remained hidden in the RTL descriptions are detected.