Student (m/f/d): Automated verification of digital circuit netlists using z3

During your studies, you can contribute to our ongoing research projects. Join us in pushing the limits of what is technically feasible and be part of breaking new ground together. We offer a variety of challenging and practice-oriented topics for mandatory internships, Bachelor’s or Master’s theses or for student research assistants. You will analyse important scientific preliminary questions and support the project teams with development activities.

Place of work: Erfurt

Team: Microelectronics

Career level:Thesis

Research field: Integrated sensor systems

Time scope: By agreement

Start: As soon as possible

Application deadline: 2026-03-31

Reference number: IMMS_STUD_ME_0226

Optimizing digital circuits in terms of area and performance is a key process in hardware development. At IMMS, a Python framework is used for this purpose, which automatically analyzes and modifies netlists to save area or energy, for example. To ensure functional correctness after such modifications, logical equivalence checks (LECs) are performed. In this process, circuit constructs are transformed into mathematical equations whose equality is formally proven or disproven. Currently, the open-source tool Yosys with its plugin EQY is used for this purpose. Due to bugs in EQY and in order to gain full control over the workflow, a customized alternative is to be integrated directly into the framework. The goal is therefore to develop an LEC method based on the efficient and free SMT solver z3 using its Python API. A systematic approach is to be developed to convert circuits into logical expressions and check them for equivalence using z3. The result is to be implemented and subsequently validated using test examples.

WHAT TO DO:

Analysis of the existing Python framework for automatic netlist modification
Development of a method for transforming digital circuit structures into logical equations (formalization)
Design and gradual implementation of an equivalence checker using the SMT solver z3
Testing and evaluation of the developed tool using example circuits

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU:

Advanced Python knowledge
Advanced knowledge of digital circuitry
Basic understanding of SMT solvers
Basic knowledge of working with Git

AND THIS IS US:

We strengthen enterprises with application-oriented research and development in microelectronics, systems engineering and mechatronics and transfer the results of basic research into applications and products. We support companies in launching internationally successful innovations for health, the environment and industry and provide solutions from the feasibility study to series production.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING YOU!

We thank you for your interest in working with us.

Please only apply once – for your favourite topic or for the one that comes closest to your interests. This is the quickest way for us to process your application and get back to you. If you are interested in more than one topic, please include this in your cover letter. In case our current suggestions are not suitable, please send us your with a topic you would like to work on.

WHAT CAN WE OFFER YOU:

An attractive workplace in a modern, very well-equipped and industry-oriented research institute
Work directly at the interface between university and industry
Work in a flexible and creative team and on innovative and challenging topics

For the tasks described in the job offer and with the existing working conditions, an application is possible irrespective of gender and/or any physical disabilities. We foster professional equality of women and men. We invite women in particular to apply. As women are underrepresented at IMMS, they will be given priority in the case of equal suitability, ability and professional performance.

Address:

IMMS Institut für Mikroelektronik- und Mechatronik-Systeme gemeinnützige GmbH (IMMS GmbH)
Ehrenbergstraße 27
98693 Ilmenau
Germany

Contact: Eric Schäfer

What others say: