Detecting Redundant or Missing Isolation: Inputs and Outputs

Inputs and outputs contract

Inputs and Outputs for Detecting Redundant or Missing Isolation is anchored on Missing-isolation high-severity findings and redundant-cell area/timing overhead eliminated before low-power signoff freeze.. Convert observations into mechanism-backed and owner-bound actions.

INPUTS
  - power-mode sequence and ownership context
  - seed, order, and configuration metadata
  - intent assumptions for transitions and crossings
  - assertion and coverage expectation envelope

OUTPUTS
  - evidence-backed failure classification
  - owner-signed mitigation proposal
  - validation matrix and rollback triggers
  - release recommendation

Ownership split

OWNERSHIP LAYERS - Detecting Redundant or Missing Isolation

+----------------------+--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| Team                 | Primary responsibility         | Closure artifact               |
+----------------------+--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| power intent signoff lead | scenario intent and closure      | review rationale memo          |
| RTL integration owner | transition and boundary contract | timeline + assertion packet    |
| verification triage owner | regression signoff readiness     | validation matrix + risk note  |
+----------------------+--------------------------------+--------------------------------+

Low-power verification deep dive

Boundary correctness depends on timing: isolate and shift at the right crossings and right phases.

Concept diagram

BOUNDARY SAFETY VIEW

domain crossing -> level-shift requirement -> isolation control -> OFF/ON transition behavior

Metric graph

BOUNDARY BUG CLASSES

missing isolation      █████
late isolation         ████
LS misdirection        ███

Metrics and artifacts to collect

• cross-domain boundary inventory

• clamp-value correctness report

• LS direction and threshold checks

• missing or redundant boundary action list

Mini case study

A boundary bug escaped unit tests until domain-off traffic stress revealed late isolation enable timing.

Debug branches

• Map each crossing to expected LS and isolation behavior.

• Verify enable timing against collapse and restore edges.

• Check clamp safety for protocol-facing signals.

Senior review question

Ask: what exact low-power transition boundary failed first, and which artifact proves the closure claim reproducibly?

Key takeaways

• Tie each LPV claim to a concrete transition boundary and one proving artifact.

• Prefer minimal reversible fixes with explicit owner and rollback criteria.

Common pitfalls

• Treating power-aware failures as random before boundary classification.

• Waiving X-prop failures before proving impact and root cause.

• Declaring closure without deterministic replay across key modes.

Handoff explanation

Inputs should include mode sequence, domain status, and control ownership context.

Outputs should include deterministic reproducer and acceptance boundaries.