System and method for model size reduction of an integrated circuit

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for verifying an integrated circuit model. The model includes a plurality of net variables. The system and method comprises generating a plurality of tests for simulating the integrated circuit, precalculating a reduced model based upon the generated tests, and evaluating the reduced model. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes restricting the test that are generated. Then net invariants for the integrated circuit are generated by translating the restricted plurality of tests to a smaller set of possible values for the net variables. Thereafter, a minimization algorithm or procedure is utilized to minimize the logic used in the particular system based upon the latch constraints. This system produces a reduced model which reduces the amount of the integrated circuit that must be simulated thereby increasing the simulation speed thereof. Accordingly, the present invention integrates an event-driven simulation and a cycle simulation in such a manner that the saving can be proportional to the size of the reduction of the model. In many environments this reduction is significant because it allows for a significant reduction in space which has a clear bearing on the verification process.