Network Virtual Machine (NetVM): A New Architecture for Efficient and Portable Packet Processing Applications

A challenge facing network device designers, besides increasing the speed of network gear, is improving its programmability in order to simplify the implementation of new applications (see for example, active networks, content networking, etc). This paper presents our work on designing and implementing a virtual network processor, called NetVM, which has an instruction set optimized for packet processing applications, i.e., for handling network traffic. Similarly to a Java Virtual Machine that virtualizes a CPU, a NetVM virtualizes a network processor. The NetVM is expected to provide a compatibility layer for networking tasks (e.g., packet filtering, packet counting, string matching) performed by various packet processing applications (firewalls, network monitors, intrusion detectors) so that they can be executed on any network device, ranging from expensive routers to small appliances (e.g. smart phones). Moreover, the NetVM will provide efficient mapping of the elementary functionalities used to realize the above mentioned networking tasks upon specific hardware functional units (e.g., ASICs, FPGAs, and network processing elements) included in special purpose hardware systems possibly deployed to implement network devices

Automatic C Compiler Generation from Architecture Description Language ISAC

This paper deals with retargetable compiler generation. After an introduction to application-specific instruction set processor design and a review of code generation in compiler backends, ISAC architecture description language is introduced. Automatic approach to instruction semantics extraction from ISAC models which result is usable for backend generation is presented. This approach was successfully tested on three models of MIPS, ARM and TI MSP430 architectures. Further backend generation process that uses extracted instruction is semantics presented. This process was currently tested on the MIPS architecture and some preliminary results are shown

A Compiler and Runtime Infrastructure for Automatic Program Distribution

This paper presents the design and the implementation of a compiler and runtime infrastructure for automatic program distribution. We are building a research infrastructure that enables experimentation with various program partitioning and mapping strategies and the study of automatic distribution's effect on resource consumption (e.g., CPU, memory, communication). Since many optimization techniques are faced with conflicting optimization targets (e.g., memory and communication), we believe that it is important to be able to study their interaction. We present a set of techniques that enable flexible resource modeling and program distribution. These are: dependence analysis, weighted graph partitioning, code and communication generation, and profiling. We have developed these ideas in the context of the Java language. We present in detail the design and implementation of each of the techniques as part of our compiler and runtime infrastructure. Then, we evaluate our design and present preliminary experimental data for each component, as well as for the entire system

Generic Pipelined Processor Modeling and High Performance Cycle-Accurate Simulator Generation

Detailed modeling of processors and high performance cycle-accurate simulators are essential for today's hardware and software design. These problems are challenging enough by themselves and have seen many previous research efforts. Addressing both simultaneously is even more challenging, with many existing approaches focusing on one over another. In this paper, we propose the Reduced Colored Petri Net (RCPN) model that has two advantages: first, it offers a very simple and intuitive way of modeling pipelined processors; second, it can generate high performance cycle-accurate simulators. RCPN benefits from all the useful features of Colored Petri Nets without suffering from their exponential growth in complexity. RCPN processor models are very intuitive since they are a mirror image of the processor pipeline block diagram. Furthermore, in our experiments on the generated cycle-accurate simulators for XScale and StrongArm processor models, we achieved an order of magnitude (~15 times) speedup over the popular SimpleScalar ARM simulator.Comment: Submitted on behalf of EDAA (http://www.edaa.com/

Retargetable Compilers for Embedded DSPs

Programmable devices are a key technology for the design of embedded systems, such as in the consumer electronics market. Processor cores are used as building blocks for more and more embedded system designs, since they provide a unique combination of features: flexibility and reusability. Processor-based design implies that compilers capable of generating efficient machine code are necessary. However, highly efficient compilers for embedded processors are hardly available. In particular, this holds for digital signal processors (DSPs). This contribution is intended to outline different aspects of DSP compiler technology. First, we cover demands on compilers for embedded DSPs, which are partially in sharp contrast to traditional compiler construction. Secondly, we present recent advances in DSP code optimization techniques, which explore a comparatively large search space in order to achieve high code quality. Finally, we discuss the different approaches to retargetability of compilers, that is, techniques for automatic generation of compilers from processor models

Design Space Exploration for Sobel Application using OpenIMPACT( Opensource Retargetable Compilation for VLIW Architecture)

Retargetable compilation infrastructure bring to growth of application-specific programmable systems which directly supporting the different target architectures and design space exploration (DSE) for the instruction set architecture and microarchitecture of the processor under development. There are three categories in this technology costumized„ semiretargetable and retargetable compiler. In DSE retargetable compilation methodology , permit to determine the optimal combination of hardwired components for example IALU, FALU ,Memory,Branch and programmable elements to get better performance that be measured by cycle count/total execution. DSP TI Processor Model as target architecture implemented, we have simulated for Sobel Application on VLIW architecture for observing optimal hardwired component needed in embedded system. With Optimization facility in compiler , result of simulation at variant model defined on system, giving information of Superblock and Hyperblock types can generate code that be executed processor better than Classical type. Model unroll looping in Optimization improved performance simulation until 50% unless in Classical type

Programming MPSoC platforms: Road works ahead

This paper summarizes a special session on multicore/multi-processor system-on-chip (MPSoC) programming challenges. The current trend towards MPSoC platforms in most computing domains does not only mean a radical change in computer architecture. Even more important from a SW developer´s viewpoint, at the same time the classical sequential von Neumann programming model needs to be overcome. Efficient utilization of the MPSoC HW resources demands for radically new models and corresponding SW development tools, capable of exploiting the available parallelism and guaranteeing bug-free parallel SW. While several standards are established in the high-performance computing domain (e.g. OpenMP), it is clear that more innovations are required for successful\ud deployment of heterogeneous embedded MPSoC. On the other hand, at least for coming years, the freedom for disruptive programming technologies is limited by the huge amount of certified sequential code that demands for a more pragmatic, gradual tool and code replacement strategy

MORTAL - Multiparadigm Optimizing Retargetable Transdisciplinary Abstraction Language

This short paper describes MORTAL, a new general-purpose programming language and compiler for high-performance scientific applications. MORTAL aims to bridge the knowledge gap between computer scientists and scientists by offering a multiparadigm programming environment that allows connecting the mathematical formulae written by scientist to algorithms implemented by the software engineer in a natural way, and understood by both. We provide the rationale for MORTAL, give an overview of the language design and the MORTAL compiler. The compiler is self-hosting, and our initial evaluation shows that MORTAL programs have similar performance as C programs