arXiv:2603.25768cs.SEcs.AI2026-03

用AI自动化芯片模块功能验证,效率提升且发现隐藏缺陷。

UCAgent: An End-to-End Agent for Block-Level Functional Verification

  • 纯Python环境+31步精细流程,避免LLM生成错误代码
  • 最高达98.5%代码覆盖率、100%功能覆盖率
  • 适合芯片验证工程师和AI自动化研究者

功能验证是现代集成电路开发中的关键瓶颈,占项目总时长约70%。传统方法如约束随机和形式化验证难以应对日益复杂的芯片设计。尽管大语言模型在代码生成和任务自动化方面展现出潜力,但在端到端功能验证中仍面临三大挑战:(i)生成Verilog/SystemVerilog验证代码准确率低;(ii)LLM在执行复杂多步骤验证流程时脆弱;(iii)难以维持规格、覆盖模型与测试例间的一致性。为此,我们提出UCAgent,一种基于三个核心机制的端到端硬件块级功能验证代理。首先,采用Picker和Toffee构建纯Python验证环境,避免依赖LLM生成SystemVerilog代码。其次,引入可配置的31阶段细粒度验证流程,每阶段由自动化检查器验证。此外,提出验证一致性标注机制(VCLM),为LLM生成的产物分配分层标签,提升验证可靠性与可追溯性。实验结果表明,UCAgent可在多个模块(包括UART、FPU、整数除法器)上完成端到端自动化验证,实现最高98.5%代码覆盖率和100%功能覆盖率,并在真实设计中发现此前未识别的设计缺陷,展现出实际应用潜力。

原文摘要 · Abstract (English)

Functional verification remains a critical bottleneck in modern IC development cycles, accounting for approximately 70% of total development time in many projects. However, traditional methods, including constrained-random and formal verification, struggle to keep pace with the growing complexity of modern semiconductor designs. While recent advances in Large Language Models (LLMs) have shown promise in code generation and task automation, significant challenges hinder the realization of end-to-end functional verification automation. These challenges include (i) limited accuracy in generating Verilog/SystemVerilog verification code, (ii) the fragility of LLMs when executing complex, multi-step verification workflows, and (iii) the difficulty of maintaining verification consistency across specifications, coverage models, and test cases throughout the workflow. To address these challenges, we propose UCAgent, an end-to-end agent that automates hardware block-level functional verification based on three core mechanisms. First, we establish a pure Python verification environment using Picker and Toffee to avoid relying on LLM-generated SystemVerilog verification code. Second, we introduce a configurable 31-stage fine-grained verification workflow to guide the LLM, where each stage is verified by an automated checker. Furthermore, we propose a Verification Consistency Labeling Mechanism (VCLM) that assigns hierarchical labels to LLM-generated artifacts, improving the reliability and traceability of verification. Experimental results show that UCAgent can complete end-to-end automated verification on multiple modules, including the UART, FPU, and integer divider modules, achieving up to 98.5% code coverage and up to 100% functional coverage. UCAgent also discovers previously unidentified design defects in realistic designs, demonstrating its practical potential.

芯片验证AI自动化LLM应用

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