custom instruction verification

Technique

Custom instruction verification is the verification work needed when processor teams add application-specific instructions, such as in RISC-V designs. The evidence describes it as an expansion of processor verification scope: teams must re-verify affected functionality and check that new instructions do not negatively affect pipeline control, ALU interactions, cache behavior, load-store paths, SoC behavior, workloads, power, or performance.

First seen 5/27/2026

Last seen 5/27/2026

Evidence 1 chunks

Wiki v1

WIKI

Overview

Custom instruction verification is the verification activity required after adding application-specific instructions to a processor design. In the cited RISC-V context, the ability to modify a processor for specific applications is described as appealing, but each added feature increases verification effort and complexity. Custom instructions expand verification scope because teams must re-verify impacted functionality and ensure that the additions do not negatively affect the rest of the design, especially when they touch pipeline control, ALU conflicts, cache behavior, or load-store paths.

Role in processor verification

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Processor Verification ← uses 88% 1e

Custom instructions increase verification scope and require dedicated verification effort.

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CITATIONS

7 sources

7 citations — click to expand

[1] Custom instructions increase verification scope and require re-verification of impacted functionality. RISC-V Microarchitecture Verification Approaches

[2] Custom instruction additions must be checked for negative effects on the rest of the design, particularly pipeline control, ALU conflicts, cache behavior, and load-store paths. RISC-V Microarchitecture Verification Approaches

[3] Processor verification can use a hybrid strategy including formal verification, simulation, UVM test platforms, test software, and reference-model comparison. RISC-V Microarchitecture Verification Approaches

[4] Coverage alone is insufficient for processor verification because instruction sequences and dynamic pipeline events must also be considered. RISC-V Microarchitecture Verification Approaches

[5] For RISC-V custom instructions, understanding the microarchitecture and how changes affect the SoC and workloads is essential. RISC-V Microarchitecture Verification Approaches

[6] Virtual prototypes, simulation acceleration, and hardware prototyping are described as critical hardware-assisted validation techniques in the processor verification flow. RISC-V Microarchitecture Verification Approaches

[7] Verification is never truly complete; a practical view is that it is sufficient when residual risk is manageable. RISC-V Microarchitecture Verification Approaches