NFC:Next-generation Formal verification for high performance Caches

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Presents NFC, a formal framework that verifies a multi-banked non-blocking out-of-order data cache and finds 8 bugs in one hour. Uses BMC/abstraction/induction reachability techniques, a microarchitecture table to enumerate valid/ready/kill/replay signals, and symbolic initialization of all buffers so proofs cover arbitrary addresses and data. Provides reusable VIPs, SVA macros (GUM4) for readable properties, automated covers, and iterative model refinement to prove or produce counterexamples within practical time.

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" chapters (7)

1. 0:00NFC verification for caches
2. 2:51Formal verification for caches
3. 3:55NFC verification goals
4. 5:21Under-constraining with covers
5. 7:06Cache verification table
6. 9:16Symbolic initialization & refinement
7. 11:23NFC evaluation & future work