APAP: a computer-based tool for analyzing data flow in arithmetic pipelines

The arithmetic pipeline analysis package (APAP), an interactive PC-based software package for simulating data flow within an arithmetic pipeline, is described. The package is designed for use by undergraduate and graduate students with background in computer architecture and parallel processing. It allows the student to design hardware and analyze its functionality without building the circuit. In addition, APAP shows detailed data flow which makes it easy for the student to envision exactly how the pipeline works. The main simulation process used follows five major steps: construction of the arithmetic pipeline, specification of pipeline connections, definition of the reservation table, definition of the input data, and calculation and presentation of data flow. In order to provide the student with a detailed data flow to further understand the entire operating condition, APAP allows the student to choose between a flow diagram, flow table, or flow analysis trace to analyze the results