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STIMSMITH

RTL Simulation

Concept

RTL simulation is used in simulation-based hardware verification and processor fuzzing to execute a hardware design-under-test by translating its RTL or Verilog representation into a host executable binary. In the MorFuzz work, RTL simulation is performed with Synopsys VCS, while coverage instrumentation is used during simulation to evaluate fuzzing inputs.

First seen 5/27/2026
Last seen 6/9/2026
Evidence 29 chunks
Wiki v1

WIKI

Overview

RTL simulation is a hardware-simulation step used in dynamic, simulation-based verification of processor designs. In the cited processor-verification workflow, simulation-based verification uses tailored inputs to simulate the design under test (DUT) and check whether the DUT output meets expectations. The evidence contrasts this with static formal verification and notes that simulation-based verification is more prevalent in practice because formal verification has scaling limits on complex designs. [simulation-based-verification]

Role in processor fuzzing

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NEIGHBORHOOD

4 nodes · 5 edges
graph · RTL Simulation · depth=1

RELATIONSHIPS

9 connections
DiFuzzRTL ← uses 100% 4e
DIFUZZRTL runs RTL simulation alongside ISA simulation for differential testing.
ProcessorFuzz ← uses 100% 4e
ProcessorFuzz uses RTL simulation and trace comparison for bug detection
MorFuzz ← uses 100% 2e
MorFuzz uses RTL simulation to simulate processor hardware designs.
Processor Fuzzing ← uses 95% 2e
Processor fuzzing requires RTL simulation to evaluate test inputs on hardware
Hardware fuzzing ← uses 95% 2e
Hardware fuzzing uses RTL simulation to evaluate test inputs
Pseudo Memory Unit ← part of 90% 1e
A pseudo memory unit is implemented as part of the RTL simulation in DIFUZZRTL.
Synopsys VCS ← implements 100% 1e
Synopsys VCS is an RTL simulator.
Simulation-Based Verification ← uses 100% 1e
Simulation-based verification uses RTL simulation to translate and execute hardware designs.
Verilator ← implements 100% 1e
Verilator is an RTL simulator.