Coverage-based test generation for microprocessor verification

A system for generating a test description for use in verifying an integrated circuit design, comprising:

• a test generator suitable for receiving a test specification and generating a test description responsive thereto;
• a coverage estimator adapted to generate a test coverage model indicative of the functional coverage achievable by the test description;
• and
• a test coverage analyzer configured to analyze the test coverage model corresponding to a test description and to compare the estimated coverage against a coverage database storing functional coverage information indicative of functional coverage achieved during simulation of a prior test description;
• an optimizer to modify the test description prior to simulating it if the test description does not achieve functional coverage in excess of the functional coverage in the database;
• and
• means for simulating the test description if the test description achieves functional coverage in excess of the functional coverage and for storing the information indicative of the functional coverage achieved therefrom in the database.

A data processing system comprising a processor, a storage device, input means, and a display, the storage device configure with a set of instructions executable by the processor, the set of instructions comprising:

• test generator means for generating a test description from a test specification;
• coverage estimator means for determining the functional coverage achievable by the test description;
• means for comparing the functional coverage achievable by the test description against functional coverage information stored in a functional coverage database and indicative of the functional coverage achieved by simulation of a prior test description;
• means for modifying the test description prior to simulating the test description if the test description achieves no incremental coverage;
• and
• means for simulating the test description and for storing functional coverage information derived therefrom in the functional coverage database.