Speculative execution of test patterns in a random test generator

Abstract

Presented is a computer-based test system and method for generating and improving the effectiveness of test cases for a model or an implementation of a computer architecture. The system includes an architectural model configured to model the requirements of the computer architecture and a behavior model configured to model the implementation of the computer architecture, wherein the behavioral model is designed to conform with the computer architecture. Further included is a simulator configured to simulate the operation of the behavioral model in response to a test pattern and to provide a behavioral model state. A random test generator is configured to test aspects of the architectural model and to generate and provide test patterns to the simulator according to the behavioral model state provided by the simulator. The random test generator provides the ability to store a pre-simulation behavioral model state and reset the simulator to the pre-simulation behavioral model state at a later time. The system may further include a history of previous events from which the rate at which an event occurs may be controlled.