Smart simulation using collaborative formal and simulation engines

We present Ketchum, a tool that was developed to improve the productivity of simulation-based functional verification by providing two capabilities: (1) automatic test generation and (2) unreachability analysis. Given a set of "interesting" signals in the design under test (DUT), automatic test generation creates input stimuli that drive the DUT through as many different combinations (called coverage states) of these signals as possible to thoroughly exercise the DUT. Unreachability analysis identifies as many unreachable coverage states as possible.