Using gate level system simulation for specification integration and system evaluation from different vendors

A description is given of Experiment Zero, which involved the use of circuit designs and simulation models to examine the electronic design of the JIAWG (Joint Integrated Avionics Working Group) PI-Bus. The entire examination was performed using gate level system simulation (GLSS). The goal of the experiment was to determine interactive anomalies among the multiple designs and the bus specification prior to building devices. The experiment has demonstrated that simulation models obtained from independent DoD contractors can be combined and simulated as a single system model and that the use of this system model for accelerated GLSS is a practical and fruitful method for identifying US Department of Defense specification limitations