Random code generation using genetic algorithms
US6918098B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 16, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F30/33
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Techniques are disclosed for automatically generating test instructions for use in testing a microprocessor design. A configuration file includes a plurality of knobs which specify a probability distribution of a plurality of microprocessor instructions. A random code generator takes the configuration file as an input and generates test instructions which are distributed according to the probability distribution specified by the knobs. The test instructions are executed on the microprocessor design. The microprocessor behaviors that are exercised by the test instructions are measured and a fitness value is assigned to the configuration file using a fitness function. The configuration file and its fitness value are added to a pool of configuration files. A configuration file synthesizer uses a genetic algorithm to synthesize a new configuration file from the pool of existing configuration files. This process may be repeated to generate configuration files which increasingly exercise microprocessor behaviors which are of interest.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.