Multi-objective Optimization Regression Verification for Multi-core Cache Coherence Protocol

With the development of multi-core and many-core processor architecture, cache consistency protocols become increasingly complex, verification is also becoming more challenging. Regression verification runs through the whole process of chip design and is an indispensable part of chip design and verification. It takes a lot of time and resources to execute a gigantic set of test cases. In this paper, a test case priority ranking method based on multi-objective optimization is proposed, which is applied to the regression verification for RTL design of an original multi-core processor cache coherence protocol. Based on the detection rate of defect prediction and function coverage rate as the optimization objectives, the test case priority is ranked. The experimental results show that the proposed method can improve the effectiveness of simulation verification, reduce time and cost, find defects as soon as possible, improve the reliability of the chip, is of great theoretical significance and of engineering practical value.