Patent ID: 6449755
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A computer implemented method for determining instructions that are implemented within an integrated circuit design, said method comprising the steps of:a) extracting, from said integrated circuit design, a set of frontier pins associated with decode circuitry that is coupled to an instruction register; b) automatically determining a set of unique signatures on said frontier pins, each unique signature representing an implemented instruction, said step b) comprising the steps of: b1) applying opcodes to said instruction register and observing said frontier pins; b2) recording all opcodes that map to each respective unique signature on said frontier pins and repeating step b2) for all opcodes applied at step b1); c) extracting, from said integrated circuit design, a test data register selected by each unique signature of said set of unique signatures; and d) updating a design database with information obtained by steps b) and c).