A Methodology for Deductive Veri cation of Out - Of - OrderExecution Systems Based on Predicted Values ?

In this paper we propose a methodology for the deductive veriication of out-of-order scheduling algorithms. A `top-down' scheme for the systematic deenition of system invariants is deened. The complementary use of predicted values, auxiliary elds storing a dispatch time prediction of an instruction's value, is proposed as a means of further simplifying the veriication of systems in this class. We illustrate the use of thètop-down' methodology and predicted values in the veriication of three out-of-order scheduling algorithms, including a detailed discussion of the veriication of a model based on the Mips R10000.