International Business Machines Corporation

Pedro Martin-de-Nicolas

Michael Timothy Saunders

Charles Meissner

Michael Edward Criscolo

Allon Adir

Robert Francis Berry

Robert Walter Berry, Jr

Gil Eliezer Shurek

John Martin Ludden

Brad Lee Herold

Heinz Baier

Kanti Champaklal Shah

Guo H Feng

A test code generation technique that replaces instructions having a machine state dependent result with special redirection instructions provides generation of test code in which state dependent execution choices are made without a state model. Redirection instructions cause execution of a handler than examines the machine state and replaces the redirection instruction with a replacement instruction having a desired result resolved in accordance with the current machine state. The instructions that are replaced may be conditional branch instructions and the result a desired execution path. The examination of the machine state permits determination of a branch condition for the replacement instruction so that the next pass of the test code executes along the desired path. Alternatively, the handler can execute a jump to the branch instruction, causing immediate execution of the desired branch path. The re-direction instructions may be illegal instructions, which cause execution of an interrupt handler that performs the replacement.

Two pass test case generation using self-modifying instruction replacement

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for use in a system that includes one or more processors, and multiple threads that are respectively associated with the one or more processors. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method that includes the steps of generating one or more test cases, wherein each test case comprises a specified set of instructions in a specified order, and defining a plurality of thread hardware allocations, each corresponding to a different one of the threads. The thread hardware allocation corresponding to a given thread comprises a set of processor hardware resources that are allocated to the given thread for use in executing test cases. The method further includes executing a particular one of the test cases on a first thread hardware allocation, in order to provide a first set of test data, and thereafter executing the particular test case using a second thread hardware allocation, in order to provide a second set of test data.

Method and apparatus for reducing test case generation time in processor testing

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for testing one or more electrical components. The apparatus and method execute similar portions of a test segment on a known device, i.e., a device for which it has been determined that the test segment executes successfully, and on a device-under-test (DUT), i.e., a device for which it has been determined that the test segment does not execute successfully. The results of the tests are compared to determine if the test passed or failed. The test segment is executed iteratively on the known device and the DUT, increasing or decreasing the amount of the test segment that is executed each pass until the failing instruction is identified.

Method and apparatus for determining the failing operation of a device-under-test

An apparatus and a method for testing one or more processors. The apparatus and method provide a host computer that issues test case information. The test case information is translated from the architecture used by a host computer to the architecture required by the electronic components. The processors are then able to perform the test case.

Method and apparatus for testing electronic components

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for testing one or more electrical components. The apparatus and method provide a CRC function that is used to calculate a CRC value for a portion of memory. The CRC value is compared with an expected CRC value to determine if the electrical component passed or failed the test.

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Austin, TX, United States of America

Pedro Martin-de-Nicolas