Fixing Design Errors with Counterexamples and Resynthesis

In this work we propose a new error-correction framework, called CoRe, which uses counterexamples, or bug traces, generated in verification to automatically correct errors in digital designs. CoRe is powered by two innovative resynthesis techniques, goal-directed search (GDS) and entropy-guided search (EGS), which modify the functionality of internal circuit's nodes to match the desired specification. We evaluate our solution to designs and errors arising during combinational equivalence-checking, as well as simulation-based verification of digital systems. Compared with previously proposed techniques, CoRe is more powerful in that: (1) it can fix a broader range of error types because it does not rely on specific error models; (2) it derives the correct functionality from simulation vectors, hence not requiring golden netlists; and (3) it can be applied to a range of verification flows, including formal and simulation-based.