An accelerated fault simulation approach for path delay faults is presented. The distinct features of the proposed fault simulation method consist in the application of parallel processing of patterns at all stages of the calculation procedure, its versatility to account for both robust and nonrobust decision of path delay faults, and its capability of efficiently maintaining large numbers of path faults to be simulated.>

The authors present DYNAMITE, a versatile and efficient automatic test pattern generation system for path delay fault. Based upon a ten-valued and a three-valued logic, the deterministic test pattern generation algorithm incorporated in DYNAMITE is capable of generating both robust and nonrobust tests for path delay faults. Particular emphasis has been placed on coping with the main disadvantage of the path delay fault model. The distinct features of DYNAMITE consist of the application of a powerful implication procedure and a stepwise path sensitization procedure, which has the capability of proving large numbers of path faults as redundant by a single test generation attempt. The delay test generation process is further optimized by the use of a new path selection procedure which aims at the identification of paths, which can successfully be sensitized, and the elimination of redundant, i.e., unsensitizable, paths.>

This paper presents an accelerated fault simulation approach for path delay faults. The distinct features of the proposed fault simulation method consist in the application of parallel processing of patterns at all stages of the calculation procedure, its versatility to account for both robust and non-robust detection of path delay faults, and its capability of efficiently maintaining large numbers of path faults to be simulated.