Why higher-order logic is a good formalisation for hardware

(Original title shortened because it's too long.)

Why higher-order logic is a good formalisation for specifying and verifying hardware

Mike Gordon

September 1985, 28 pages

DOI https://doi.org/10.48456/tr-77

Abstract

Higher order logic was originally developed as a foundation for mathematics. In this paper we show how it can be used as: 1. a hardware description language, and 2. a formalism for proving that designs meet their specifications.

Examples are given which illustrate various specification and verification techniques. These include a CMOS inverter, a CMOS full adder, an n-bit ripple-carry adder, a sequential multiplier and an edge-triggered D-type register.

See also https://lawrencecpaulson.github.io/2023/01/04/Hardware_Verif... and "Interactive Formal Verification, Lecture 11: Hardware Verification" by Lawrence Paulson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVdgoEpo4uI&list=PLVdBoNna-4...