Faster architectural simulation through parallelism

ABSTRACT

Architectural simulation of complex systems is usually constrained by available computational resources. Recently, several commercial parallel processing systems have appeared with price-performance levels that make very intense simulations affordable. In this paper, we briefly review architectural simulation technology, then describe the approach used to develop a parallel architectural simulator. Performance of the parallel simulator is then experimentally characterized and analyzed. This study is one of the earliest to report measured performance of a widely-used commercial simulator, running non-trivial designs on a popular parallel computing system.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  F. Theory of Computation
  F.1 COMPUTATION BY ABSTRACT DEVICES
      F.1.2 Modes of Computation
          Subjects: Parallelism and concurrency

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization

  J. Computer Applications
  J.6 COMPUTER-AIDED ENGINEERING
      Subjects: Computer-aided design (CAD)

General Terms:
Design, Theory