Debugging HDL designs based on functional equivalences with high-level specifications

Abstract

Abstract-The increasing complexity of circuits and systems is forcing design specifications to software-like programming languages like C. Since the conversion from software to hardware is a difficult task solved manually, bugs are frequently introduced in the HDL design. Sophisticated automated error localization and correction techniques, i.e. debugging, are a challenge.In this paper a new automated method is presented for debugging hardware implementations when a software-like specification in C is given. Based on functional equivalences between software and hardware, error localization and correction are automated. We present experimental results for different types of designs and different types of faults.