A differential algorithm for concurrent simulation of path delay faults in
sequential circuits is presented. The simulator analyzes all three conditio
ns, namely, initialization, signal transition propagation through the path,
and fault effect observation at a primary output for vector pairs and cons
iders the hazard states occurring between vectors. The main contribution is
in methods of propagating signals between time frames. An optimistic metho
d assumes that ail nondestination flip-flops are not affected by delays. Th
e pessimistic method converts all nondestination flip-flops with nonsteady
values to the unknown state before these values are propagated beyond the t
ime frame in which a path is activated. A 13-valued algebra is shown to imp
rove the efficiency of fault simulation.