Fault model
Beginner
A simple pretend version of a flaw, such as “this wire is stuck at 0,” that software can work with.
Novice
A simplified, logical description of what a physical defect does, such as “this wire is always 0.” It turns countless possible defects into a finite list that software can count, target and check. Common models are stuck-at, transition, path delay and bridging.
Expert
Chosen because it is tractable and correlates with real defects. Each model has its own fault list, coverage number and pattern set, and programs run several models to push shipped defect levels down.
Explained in Design for test (Design Flow).
See also: Stuck-at fault, Transition fault.