Parsifal: A Generic and Configurable Fault Emulation Environment with Non-Classical Fault Models

Fault emulation has become an important tool for test evaluation. However, until now fault models other than the stuck-at fault model have rarely been used in emulation. In this paper, we propose non-classical fault models for emulation and a generic fault emulation environment capable of supporting these and other fault models and different emulation modes in a common support framework. Although different in logical implementation and physical abstraction level, all fault models are administered and applied together and can even be mixed in a single fault grading campaign. The proposed fault emulation environment is not restricted in its use to a certain emulator. The modular approach proposed in this paper allows an easy adaption for different emulation systems and reuse of all key components including the fault models. Those may be applied during fault grading campaigns as well as in-circuit emulation. We will present results obtained on the emulation system Mercury+ by Cadence