Techniques for SAT-Based Boolean Reasoning on Multiple Faults Affecting Logic Cells and Interconnects in Digital ICs

Abstract

We propose a new method for SAT-based Boolean reasoning on multiple defects in digital ICs. Although it does not explicitly consider a specific fault model such as model-based techniques, it allows us to consider more realistic cases than model-free approaches. In particular, it can be used to account for (a) faults resulting in monotonic errors at the output of a cell and (b) faults, such as breaks or bridgings, that may corrupt the propagation of a signal from its fan-out branches. The model can be used for either standard gates or more complex combinational modules. Examples are shown for applications requiring the consideration of multiple defects such as fault diagnosis and reliability analysis. The feasibility of the proposed approach is assessed by results on a set of combinational benchmarks.