Cliff Lyons and Mark Olen
Mentor Graphics

Testbench-related research and development by the electronic design automation (EDA) industry has largely focused on improving coding languages. Resultant improvements have made a noticeable difference; however, while coding languages have become more refined, the verification problem has become more difficult due increases in design complexity.

This white paper discusses the resulting, compelling need for major improvements in testbench technology. Current testbench technology and methodologies are examined and an overview of algorithmic test generation is provided. The paper also explains how inFact, a new algorithmic test generation product, can solve a number of testbench problems, eliminating duplicate testing, enabling module reuse, and reducing bugs.