Patent ID: 7475369
Filing Date: 2009-01-06
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for determining whether a potential constraint set for a circuit under test (CUT) overconstrains inputs that can be applied to the CUT, the method comprising: allowing a user to describe a potential constraint set for the CUT, wherein the potential constraint set specifies inputs that the user believes can be applied to the CUT by an environment circuit during operation; establishing, based upon the potential constraint set, a set of conditions for the environment circuit, wherein the set of conditions sets forth limitations on what outputs are expected to be generated by the environment circuit during operation; applying a set of environmental inputs to the environment circuit to produce a set of environmental outputs; determining whether the set of environmental outputs violate the set of conditions; and in response to a determination that the set of environmental outputs violate the set of conditions, concluding that the potential constraint set overconstrains inputs that can be applied to the CUT.