Title :
EXPLORER: a retargetable and visualization-based trace-driven simulator for superscalar processors
Author :
Diep, Trung A. ; Shen, John P. ; Phillip, Mike
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. & Comput. Eng., Carnegie Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Abstract :
The quantitative approach to computer architecture and processor design requires extensive experimentation to assess the potential performance benefits of individual techniques. Using trace-driven simulation (TDS) tools in conjunction with optimizing compilers, a designer can quickly characterize the dynamic behavior and the resultant performance of a candidate machine running a realistic benchmark. Most current TDS tools have two shortcomings, namely the lack of retargetability and the lack of visualization support. The authors present the development of a highly retargetable TDS tool suite, called EXPLORER, that incorporates powerful visualization and interactive capabilities. A prototype of EXPLORER has been implemented and examples of retargeting and visualization-based simulation of the RS/6000 and the MPC 601 have been performed to demonstrate its effectiveness
Keywords :
computer architecture; digital simulation; parallel programming; program testing; software portability; software tools; EXPLORER; MPC 601; RS/6000; TDS tool suite; computer architecture; interactive; optimizing compilers; realistic benchmark; retargetable; retargeting; superscalar processors; trace-driven simulator; visualization support; visualization-based; Computational modeling; Computer architecture; Computer simulation; Data mining; Optimizing compilers; Process design; Reduced instruction set computing; Software tools; Virtual prototyping; Visualization;
Conference_Titel :
Microarchitecture, 1993., Proceedings of the 26th Annual International Symposium on
Conference_Location :
Austin, TX
Print_ISBN :
0-8186-5280-2
DOI :
10.1109/MICRO.1993.282740
