A software reconfigurable assertion checking unit for run-time error detection

The stress of verifying and validating nowadays complex systems is continuously boosting. To address this imperative issue, we present an optimised assertion checking approach that dynamically implements an instruction-based checker to validate system properties during run-time. In contrast to state-of-the-art hardware checker, the presented method compiles an assertion to a microprogram, which can be changed very flexibly by software for the in-silicon validation. A stand-alone hardware block, named assertion checking unit (ACU), is designed for executing the compiled microprogram in real-time. We have successfully evaluated this approach to detect run-time error of a prototyped cryptographic system by means of a run-time fault injection technology. Additionally, we have achieved measurable benefits of the new approach compared to the previous work.