Skip to content
STIMSMITH

Directed Testing

Concept

Directed testing is a structured stimulus technique used in RISC-V processor verification to target specific architectural features, compliance requirements, and coverage gaps. Evidence describes it as complementary to constrained-random testing: directed tests provide precision and systematic validation, while random stimulus explores unexpected interactions.

First seen 5/25/2026
Last seen 6/9/2026
Evidence 6 chunks
Wiki v1

WIKI

Directed Testing

Directed testing is a structured stimulus technique used in RISC-V processor verification to exercise specific architectural features, compliance scenarios, and coverage gaps. In the cited verification flow, directed tests are contrasted with random stimulus: random testing explores broad state spaces and can uncover unanticipated behaviors, while directed testing provides structure and systematic feature validation. The evidence also notes a limitation: directed tests may miss unexpected interactions, so they are most effective when combined with constrained-random stimulus. [Directed testing role]

Purpose in RISC-V verification

READ FULL ARTICLE →

NEIGHBORHOOD

2 nodes · 1 edges
graph · Directed Testing · depth=1

RELATIONSHIPS

1 connections
Directed-Random Verification ← extends 95% 1e
Directed-Random Verification extends Directed Testing by adding constraints and randomization to control data values.

CITATIONS

9 sources
9 citations — click to expand
[1] Directed testing role source
[2] Need for directed tests source
[3] Random-directed complementarity source
[4] STING directed stimulus source
[5] Portable directed stimulus source
[6] Directed suite scope source
[7] Coverage closure flow source
[8] Hybrid integration source
[9] Directed testing limitation source