Automatic Verification Using Model and Module Checking

As a precursor to system-level verification of SoCs, we present two well known verification techniques for closed and open systems respectively. Closed systems are “transformational” in nature and evolve without any need for external intervention. We present model checking, as an approach for the verification of closed systems. Open systems, in contrast, are “reactive” in nature and evolve based on interactions with an external environment. Typical applications of SoCs in the embedded system domain are open in nature. We present module checking as an automated technique for the verification of open systems. Both model checking and module checking are “formal” algorithms and hence require mathematical models to describe the system model (Kripke structures) and the desired properties (CTL).