Regular expression based test sequence generation for HDL program validation

Abstract

This paper proposes a test sequence generation approach for behavioral model validation of sequential circuits implemented in Hardware Description Language (HDL). In the procedure of test sequence generation proposed in this study, Regular Expressions (REs) are utilized to model the behavior of the System Under Test (SUT). First, the HDL program is converted to a Finite State Machine (FSM). Then, the obtained FSM is transformed to RE which is represented by a Syntax Tree (ST). In this way, the test sequence generation problem is simplified to the tree traversal algorithm in which symbol and operator coverage criteria are satisfied. The required tools for test sequence generation are provided to automatize the whole procedure of the proposed approach. Also, a running example, based on a real-life-like Traffic Light Controller (TLC), validates the proposed approach and analyzes its characteristic features.