Serial Fault Simulation using Python

This project implements a Serial Fault Simulation Tool in Python, focusing on evaluating fault coverage in gate-level digital circuits. The simulation helps analyze the effectiveness of test patterns in detecting structural faults such as stuck-at faults using ISCAS-format netlists.

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📘 Project Summary

• Title: Serial Fault Simulation

• Technology: Python (NumPy, CSV processing)

• Authors:

  • Neha Golani (22BEC042)
  • Ditsa Patel (22BEC036)

• Institution: Nirma University, Institute of Technology

• Submitted for: Digital Testing and Verification Coursework

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⚙️ Features

• 🧪 Reads and processes ISCAS-format gate-level netlists
• 🔁 Injects stuck-at-0 and stuck-at-1 faults
• 🧠 Compares faulty vs. fault-free simulation to detect faults
• 📊 Computes and reports fault coverage metrics
• 🛠️ Implements fault equivalence and controllability analysis

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🔬 Simulation Workflow

1. Initialization

• Load ISCAS netlist (iscas.txt)
• Define all possible faults (e.g., net_sa0, net_sa1)
• Load predefined test patterns

2. Golden Run

• Simulate the fault-free circuit
• Store outputs as reference for fault detection

3. Fault Injection & Detection

• Inject each fault one at a time
• Run the circuit again with the same input
• If output differs from golden run → fault detected

4. Result Aggregation

• Compute:
  • Number of faults detected per pattern
  • Total fault coverage
  • Ineffective patterns that detect no new faults

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📂 Files

• iscas.txt — ISCAS-formatted circuit netlist
• fault_simulation.py — Python script implementing fault simulation logic
• Fault_simulation_Report.pdf — Project report including code, results, and analysis

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📊 Key Outputs

• Remaining Fault List: List of uncollapsed structural faults
• Detected Faults: List and count of faults detected for each test pattern
• ISCAS Dictionary: Internal signal mapping for each simulation run
• Summary Statistics: Fault coverage rate, effective input vectors

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📚 Concepts Applied

• Serial Fault Simulation
• Fault Equivalence
• Controllability and Observability
• Test Pattern Evaluation
• Design for Testability (DFT)

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🎯 Applications

• Test pattern validation for digital ICs
• Design and debug of ATPG systems
• Academic exploration of fault modeling and simulation
• Teaching tool for digital design testing

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📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License .