A language for automatic generation of fast instruction-set compiled simulators

Author

Metrolho, Jose Carlos ; Couto, Carlos ; Silva, Carlos A. ; Tavares, Adriano

Author_Institution

Inf. Eng. Dept., Polytech. Inst. of Castelo Branco, Castelo Branco

fYear

2008

fDate

11-13 June 2008

Firstpage

111

Lastpage

117

Abstract

This paper presents a novel architecture description language, MiADL. This language is capable of specifying a wide class of ISAs by exploring the common features found in instructions, obtaining compact descriptions. Descriptionpsilas efficiency and expressiveness is demonstrated with examples that compare MiADL with other related works, using complex ISAs of contemporary processors. The semantics of new constructs of the language is also presented. These permit smaller descriptions over other ADLs. Results achieved with simulators generated from this language revealed a speed-up over other contributions. A comparison in terms of description effectiveness and simulator performance is presented.

Keywords

instruction sets; logic CAD; microprocessor chips; specification languages; MiADL; architecture description language; automatic generation; instruction-set compiled simulators; Application software; Architecture description languages; Computational modeling; Computer architecture; Hardware; Industrial electronics; Instruction sets; Microprocessors; Software tools; Time to market; Computer architecture; Design; Microprocessor systems; Modeling;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Industrial Embedded Systems, 2008. SIES 2008. International Symposium on

Conference_Location

Le Grande Motte

Print_ISBN

978-1-4244-1994-4

Electronic_ISBN

978-1-4244-1995-1

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/SIES.2008.4577688

Filename

4577688