Reverification of a microprocessor

Abstract

The FM8501 microprocessor was defined and verified by W.A. Hunt (1986) using the Boyer-Moore theorem-prover. The authors have carried out a reverification of the machine using the State Delta Verification System. Their work correlates strongly with work done by Hunt, demonstrating that the verification community is capable of supporting its own results, drawing on the diversification of proof tools to provide independent validation of previous work. The proof strategies and the complexities that are encountered in proving correctness of microcoded processors are discussed.<>