CRPG: a configurable random test-program generator for microprocessors

In this paper, we present CRPG, a configurable test-program generator designed for microprocessors. CRPG provides a specification model, which can specify a request that covers the full spectrum between highly directed tests and completely random ones, a test generation engine based on heuristic algorithms, a reference instruction set simulator, and a validation environment, which supports simulation with generated test programs automatically and checks the equivalence of processors and their reference model. CRPG is currently in preliminary use at ICT for the verification of GODSONII - a general RISC microprocessor with more than 2 million logic gates. Experiments show that CRPG can improve the verification process and cut down on skilled manpower requirements considerably.