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During one of our verification projects, we faced a challenge in defining the right test strategy for a new design block. I strongly advocated for merging an existing, previously verified block into a shared verification environment, believing it would improve efficiency and catch bugs with minimal effort. However, my teammate strongly advocated for a standalone block-level verification, arguing it would provide more deterministic coverage. This disagreement led to delays in testbench development and friction between us.

Recognizing the need for alignment, I initiated a structured discussion where we both presented our viewpoints with supporting data. I focused on ensuring we evaluated the trade-offs objectively rather than debating which approach was superior. After evaluating the pros and cons, I proposed a hybrid approach: conducting initial verification within the combined testbench for faster validation while simultaneously estimating the effort required for a standalone testbench. Once we mapped out our plans, we found that my approach led to a faster testbench setup, while his plan had overlaps in checker development. Recognizing this, we aligned on using the existing testbench while developing only the necessary new checkers. Later, we proposed building a dedicated block-level testbench to further improve coverage and verification confidence. This approach was well received by architects, designers, and management, as it balanced efficiency and thorough testing. It was a proud moment for me because it demonstrated the power of collaborative problem-solving, data-driven decision-making, and adaptability. This experience reinforced my belief that fostering open discussions, considering multiple perspectives, and focusing on practical solutions leads to stronger team synergy and better project outcomes.

The k-map helps in deriving the simplified expressions for the given set of minterms. It basically solves the expressions by making group of minterms in the order of maximum combinations, for a 2 variable the maximum combination is 4 followed by 2, and finally 1.

A short circuit in an internal signal implies that this signal is electrically connected to another signal, possibly VCC or GND. This will cause unexpected behavior when either of the shorted signals is driven.

Algorithm

1. Initialization
   Gather information about the device:Addressable memory range.
   Data width at each address.
   Any known 'safe' addresses (e.g., read-only registers that won't affect device operation when written to).
   If no safe addresses are known, start with the highest address and work downwards to minimize the risk of disrupting critical functionality early in the process.
2. Write-Read-Verify Loop
   For each address addr in the memory range:read(addr, &original_data): Read the original data at the address.
   new_data = ~original_data: Invert the original data.
   write(addr, new_data): Write the inverted data to the address.
   read(addr, &read_back_data): Read back the data from the same address.
   
   Compare:If read_back_data == new_data, the write was successful, move to the next address.
   
   If read_back_data != new_data:write(addr, original_data): Restore the original data to minimize disruption
   Potential Short: There's a potential short circuit involving a signal affected by writing to this address.
   
   Further Investigation:Try writing different patterns to the address and observe the read-back data.
   If the read-back data consistently reflects an unexpected pattern or is stuck at a particular value regardless of the written data, it strengthens the possibility of a short circuit.
   Log the address and the observed behavior for further analysis.
3. Analysis

• Correlate the addresses where unexpected behavior was observed.
• Look for patterns:Are the problematic addresses contiguous or spread out?
  Do specific bit patterns in the read-back data suggest a connection to VCC, GND, or another signal?
• Use your understanding of the device's functionality (even if limited) to hypothesize which internal signals might be shorted based on the affected addresses.