Title
Learning to order BDD variables in verification
Abstract
The size and complexity of software and hardware systems have significantly increased in the past years. As a result, it is harder to guarantee their correct behavior. One of the most successful methods for automated verification of finite-state systems is model checking. Most of the current model-checking systems use binary decision diagrams (BDDs) for the representation of the tested model and in the verification process of its properties. Generally, BDDs allow a canonical compact representation of a boolean function (given an order of its variables). The more compact the BDD is, the better performance one gets from the verifier. However, finding an optimal order for a BDD is an NP-complete problem. Therefore, several heuristic methods based on expert knowledge have been developed for variable ordering. We propose an alternative approach in which the variable ordering algorithm gains "ordering experience" from training models and uses the learned knowledge for finding good orders. Our methodology is based on offine learning of pair precedence classifiers from training models, that is, learning which variable pair permutation is more likely to lead to a good order. For each training model, a number of training sequences are evaluated. Every training model variable pair permutation is then tagged based on its performance on the evaluated orders. The tagged permutations are then passed through a feature extractor and are given as examples to a classifier creation algorithm. Given a model for which an order is requested, the ordering algorithm consults each precedence classifier and constructs a pair precedence table which is used to create the order. Our algorithm was integrated with SMV, which is one of the most widely used verification systems. Preliminary empirical evaluation of our methodology, using real benchmark models, shows performance that is better than random ordering and is competitive with existing algorithms that use expert knowledge. We believe that in sub-domains of models (alu, caches, etc.) our system will prove even more valuable. This is because it features the ability to learn sub-domain knowledge, something that no other ordering algorithm does.
Year
DOI
Venue
2011
10.1613/jair.1096
Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research
Keywords
DocType
Volume
training model,model checking,optimal order,classifier creation algorithm,training model variable pair,bdd variable,training sequence,real benchmark model,algorithm gain,expert knowledge,good order,domain knowledge,artificial intelligent,boolean function,np complete problem,binary decision diagram
Journal
abs/1107.0020
Issue
ISSN
Citations 
1
Journal Of Artificial Intelligence Research, Volume 18, pages 83-116, 2003
17
PageRank 
References 
Authors
0.88
40
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Orna Grumberg14361351.99
Shlomi Livne2312.32
Shaul Markovitch33010262.77