Combining Abstraction Refinement and SAT-Based Model Checking

Nina Amla, Kenneth L. McMillan

Abstract: Unbounded model checking methods based on Boolean satisfiability (SAT) solvers are proving to be a viable alternative to BDD-based model checking. These methods include, for example, interpolation based and sequential ATPG-based approaches. In this paper, we explore the implications of using abstraction refinement in conjunction with interpolation-based model checking. Based on experiments using a large industrial benchmark set, we conclude that when using interpolation- based model checking, measures must be taken to prevent the overhead of abstraction refinement from dominating runtime. We present two new approaches to this problem. One is a hybrid approach that decides heuristically when to apply abstraction. The other is a very coarse but inexpensive abstraction method based on ideas from ATPG. This approach can produce order-of-magnitude reductions in memory usage, allowing significantly larger designs to be verified.

External IDs:dblp:conf/tacas/AmlaM07