IP Library Granted Patent US 12,585,848
Granted Patent B2
US 12,585,848 · App. 17/845,784 · Granted Mar 24, 2026

Machine learning techniques for circuit design verification

Inventors: Venkateswaran Padmanabhan (Bengaluru, IN); Gopika Kumar (Bengaluru, IN); Guha Lakshmanan (Bengaluru, IN); Kriyangbhai Shah (Bengaluru, IN)
Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
G06F30/3308G06N3/08G06F2119/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,585,848
App. No.
17/845,784
Granted
Mar 24, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method includes obtaining a set of simulated signal values for an integrated circuit, providing the obtained set of simulated signal values to a machine learning model, and obtaining, from the machine learning model, one or more predicted output signal values of the integrated circuit. The method also includes comparing the predicted output signal values to actual output signal values of the integrated circuit to validate the integrated circuit.

Claims (37)

1 . A method, comprising:

analyzing a plurality of test cases to obtain coverage metrics indicative of an extent to which respective test cases cover a plurality of states of a finite-state-machine (FSM) associated with an integrated circuit;

obtaining a set of simulated signal values for the integrated circuit based on a subset of the plurality of test cases, the subset of the plurality of test cases including fewer test cases than the plurality of test cases, the subset selected based the coverage metrics;

providing the obtained set of simulated signal values to a machine learning model;

obtaining, from the machine learning model, one or more predicted output signal values of the integrated circuit; and

comparing the predicted output signal values to actual output signal values of the integrated circuit to validate the integrated circuit.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of simulated signal values is associated with internal signals identified based on a linear regression model and a non-linear regression model.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the machine learning model predicts an FSM state based on a provided set of analog signal values.

4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising obtaining, from the machine learning model, a predicted finite state machine state for the integrated circuit.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the machine learning model includes one or more sub-models.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further including ranking the plurality of test cases in descending order of the coverage metrics.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein top test cases are selected based on the ranking.

8 . A non-transitory program storage device comprising instructions stored thereon to cause one or more processors to:

analyze a plurality of test cases to obtain coverage metrics indicative of an extent to which respective test cases cover a plurality of states of a finite-state-machine (FSM) associated with an integrated circuit;

obtain a set of simulated signal values for the integrated circuit based on a subset of the plurality of test cases, the subset of the plurality of test cases including fewer test cases than the plurality of test cases, the subset selected based the coverage metrics;

provide the obtained set of simulated signal values to a machine learning model;

obtain, from the machine learning model, one or more predicted output signal values of the integrated circuit; and

compare the predicted output signal values to actual output signal values of the integrated circuit to validate the integrated circuit.

9 . The non-transitory program storage device of claim 8 , wherein the set of simulated signal values is associated with internal signals identified based on a linear regression model and a non-linear regression model.

10 . The non-transitory program storage device of claim 8 , wherein the machine learning model predicts an FSM state based on a provided set of analog signal values.

11 . The non-transitory program storage device of claim 10 , wherein the instructions further cause the processors to obtain, from the machine learning model, a predicted finite state machine state for the integrated circuit.

12 . The non-transitory program storage device of claim 8 , wherein the machine learning model includes one or more sub-models.

13 . The non-transitory program storage device of claim 8 , wherein the instructions further cause the processors to rank the plurality of test cases in descending order of the coverage metrics.

14 . The non-transitory program storage device of claim 13 , wherein top test cases are selected based on the ranking.

15 . A system for debugging an integrated circuit, comprising:

a memory; and

one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions causing the one or more processors to:

analyze a plurality of test cases to obtain coverage metrics indicative of an extent to which respective test cases cover a plurality of states of a finite-state-machine (FSM) associated with the integrated circuit;

obtain a set of simulated signal values for the integrated circuit based on a subset of the plurality of test cases, the subset of the plurality of test cases including fewer test cases than the plurality of test cases, the subset selected based the coverage metrics;

provide the obtained set of simulated signal values to a machine learning model;

obtain, from the machine learning model, one or more predicted output signal values of the integrated circuit; and

compare the predicted output signal values to actual output signal values of the integrated circuit to validate the integrated circuit.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the set of simulated signal values is associated with internal signals identified based on a linear regression model and a non-linear regression model.

17 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the machine learning model predicts an FSM state based on a provided set of analog signal values.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the instructions further cause the processors to obtain, from the machine learning model, a predicted finite state machine state for the integrated circuit.

19 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the instructions further cause the processors to rank the plurality of test cases in descending order of the coverage metrics.

20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein top test cases are selected based on the ranking.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 10, 2024
From: PADMANABHAN, VENKATESWARAN; KUMAR, GOPIKA; LAKSHMANAN, GUHA; SHAH, KRIYANGBHAI
To: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 069564/0164 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230409789A1 · Dec 21, 2023
References Cited (1)
US 10607039B1 · Kinderman · 2020 [cited by examiner]