Verifying a logic synthesis tool in nuprl: a case study in software veri cation

Abstract. We have proved a logic synthesis tool with the Nuprl proof development system. The logic synthesis tool, Pbs, implements the weak division algorithm, and is part of the Bedroc hardware synthesis system. Our goal was to develop a proven and usable implementation of a hardware synthesis tool. Pbs consists of approximately 1000 lines of code implemented in a functional subset of Standard ML. The program was verified by embedding this subset of SML in Nuprl and then verifying the correctness of the implementation of Pbs in Nuprl. In the process of doing the proof we learned many lessons which can be applied to efforts in verifying functional software. In particular, we were able to safely perform several optimizations to the program. In addition, we have invested effort into verifying software which will be used many times, rather than verifying the output of that software each time the program is used. The work required to verify hardware design tools and other similar software is worthwhile because the results of the proofs will be used many times

Digital Pre-distortion Implemented Using FPGA

Massive-MIMO and beamforming techniques have long been proposed as a means of increasing cellular network capacity and improving signal to interference ratio performance. The implementation of such systems requires a large number of signal transmission paths. To realize this, a distributed array of power amplifiers (PAs) is likely to be needed. These PAs will possess similar, but unique, characteristics which will alter over time independently due to temperature drift and component ageing. In order to operate all PAs in both a linear and efficient fashion a linearisation technique, such as Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD), must be used. DPD algorithms benefit from reconfigurability, low latency and power efficiency, all traits associated with Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). This demonstration shows how an FPGA, specifically a ZYNQ System on a Chip (SoC), can be used in tandem with a transceiver board, the FMCOMMS2, to implement a DPD system

Memory Traffic and Data Cache Behavior of an MPEG-2 Software Decoder

We investigate the impact of multimedia applications on the cache behavior of desktop systems. Specifically, we consider the memory bandwidth and data cache challenges associated with MPEG-2 software decoding. Recent extensions to instruction set architectures, including Intel's MMX, address the computational aspects of MPEG decoding. The large amount of data traffic generated, however, has received little attention. Standard data caches consistently generate an excess of cache-memory traffic. Varying basic cache parameters only reduces traffic to double the minimum required at best. Incremental changes in cache size have a negligible effect for most feasible values. Increasing set associativity yields rapidly diminishing returns, and manipulating line size is similarly unproductive. Achieving higher efficiency requires understanding the composition and behavior of the decoder data set. We present a model of MPEG-2 decoder memory behavior and describe how to exploit this knowledge to m..

A Theorem Proving Based Methodology for Software Verification

We have developed an effective methodology for using a proof development system to prove properties about functional programs. This methodology includes techniques such as hiding implementation details and using higher order theorems to structure proofs and aid in abstract reasoning. The methodology was discovered and refined while verifying a logic synthesis tool with the Nuprl proof development system. The logic synthesis tool, $Pbs$, implements the weak division algorithm. $Pbs$ consists of approximately 1000 lines of code implemented in a functional subset of Standard ML. It is a proven and usable implementation of a hardware synthesis tool. The program was verified by embedding the subset of SML in Nuprl and then verifying the correctness of the implementation of $Pbs$ in the Nuprl logic