A methodology for efficient simulation and diagnosis of mixed-signal systems using error waveforms

Abstract

In this paper we present a novel approach for fast fault simulation of digital faults in mixed-signal systems without resorting to expensive mixed-signal simulation for every fault. The approach is based on partitioning the mixed-signal circuit and representing digital fault effects using error waveforms. We propose methods to compress a large number of digital fault effects into a few fault syndromes. This results in significant savings in fault simulation effort. We demonstrate the ability to differentiate fault syndromes of different partitions of the circuit.