architectural validation

Architectural Validation

Concept

Architectural validation is the process of verifying that processor and system implementations conform to their formal specifications, typically by comparing implementations against golden reference models. In the RISC-V ecosystem, Spike has historically served as the de facto golden reference for ISA-level architectural validation, while executable specifications such as Sail-RISC-V have emerged as next-generation references, particularly for configurable extensions like RISC-V Vector (RVV).

First seen 8/5/2026

Last seen 8/5/2026

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Definition

Architectural validation is the process of verifying that hardware or software implementations of a processor architecture conform to its formal specification. It typically involves comparing an implementation-under-test against a golden reference model — a trusted, ideally formally grounded model of the architecture whose behavior is considered authoritative.

Role in the RISC-V Ecosystem

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spike uses → 100% 1e

Spike has been widely used in architectural validation flows

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CITATIONS

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[1] Spike has served as the de facto golden reference model and has been widely used in verification frameworks and architectural validation flows since the early days of RISC-V. Sail-RISC-V and Spike for RISC-V Vector: Toward Consistent Golden Reference Behavior

[2] Sail-RISC-V has emerged as a candidate for the next-generation golden reference for RISC-V, including for the RVV extension, due to its formally grounded specification approach. Sail-RISC-V and Spike for RISC-V Vector: Toward Consistent Golden Reference Behavior

[3] RVV architectural validation is challenging because effective state and parameter space (vector length, element width, masking, register grouping) is orders of magnitude larger than for scalar instructions. Sail-RISC-V and Spike for RISC-V Vector: Toward Consistent Golden Reference Behavior

[4] Comparing Sail-RISC-V against Spike showed 0.23% deviation under positive testing and 3.73% under negative testing, highlighting remaining issues in dynamic-configuration validity checking for architectural validation. Sail-RISC-V and Spike for RISC-V Vector: Toward Consistent Golden Reference Behavior

[5] Architectural validation flows can also refer to a stage in control-driven enterprise lifecycles such as secure SaaS onboarding, validating system design against architectural and control requirements. A Control-Driven Framework for Secure SaaS Onboarding in Regulated Enterprises