Verification by behavioral modeling-a multiprocessor system case

Behavioral modeling has many applications in design and verification of computer systems, such as performance study, logic design, test vector generation, verifications and bring-ups, etc. In this paper, a verification scheme for a cache-coherent multiprocessor system using behavioral modeling is presented. A behavioral model and a RTL design model are both driven with the same test cases. By comparing data and commands at certain interfaces in both models, we will be able to compare and verify the entire RTL design. The problem of handling the timing differences between the behavioral model and the RTL model is discussed. In addition, discussion on the implementation issues of such a scheme is presented.