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A formal approach to the verification of networks on chip

Published: 01 January 2009 Publication History

Abstract

The current technology allows the integration on a single die of complex systems-on-chip (SoCs) that are composed of manufactured blocks (IPs), interconnected through specialized networks on chip (NoCs). IPs have usually been validated by diverse techniques (simulation, test, formal verification) and the key problem remains the validation of the communication infrastructure. This paper addresses the formal verification of NoCs by means of a mechanized proof tool, the ACL2 theorem prover. A metamodel for NoCs has been developed and implemented in ACL2. This metamodel satisfies a generic correctness statement. Its verification for a particular NoC instance is reduced to discharging a set of proof obligations for each one of the NoC constituents. The methodology is demonstrated on a realistic and state-of-the-art design, the Spidergon network from STMicroelectronics.

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  • (2018)An improved fault-tolerant routing algorithm for a Network-on-Chip derived with formal analysisScience of Computer Programming10.1016/j.scico.2016.01.002118:C(24-39)Online publication date: 31-Dec-2018
  • (2012)Easy Formal Specification and Validation of Unbounded Networks-on-Chips ArchitecturesACM Transactions on Design Automation of Electronic Systems10.1145/2071356.207135717:1(1-28)Online publication date: 1-Jan-2012
  • (2011)Refinement-Based modeling of 3d nocsProceedings of the 4th IPM international conference on Fundamentals of Software Engineering10.1007/978-3-642-29320-7_16(236-252)Online publication date: 20-Apr-2011
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            Published In

            cover image EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems
            EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems  Volume 2009, Issue
            January 2009
            124 pages
            ISSN:1687-3955
            EISSN:1687-3963
            Issue’s Table of Contents

            Publisher

            Hindawi Limited

            London, United Kingdom

            Publication History

            Accepted: 04 February 2009
            Published: 01 January 2009
            Received: 01 August 2008

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            View all
            • (2018)An improved fault-tolerant routing algorithm for a Network-on-Chip derived with formal analysisScience of Computer Programming10.1016/j.scico.2016.01.002118:C(24-39)Online publication date: 31-Dec-2018
            • (2012)Easy Formal Specification and Validation of Unbounded Networks-on-Chips ArchitecturesACM Transactions on Design Automation of Electronic Systems10.1145/2071356.207135717:1(1-28)Online publication date: 1-Jan-2012
            • (2011)Refinement-Based modeling of 3d nocsProceedings of the 4th IPM international conference on Fundamentals of Software Engineering10.1007/978-3-642-29320-7_16(236-252)Online publication date: 20-Apr-2011
            • (2010)Formal specification of networks-on-chipsProceedings of the Conference on Design, Automation and Test in Europe10.5555/1870926.1871339(1701-1706)Online publication date: 8-Mar-2010

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