Framework for fast and accurate performance simulation of multiprocessor systems

Abstract

In this paper we develop a framework for fast and accurate multiprocessor system performance simulation. Our simulation model generator generates simulation modules with accurate time deltas for software processes based on the intermediate representations generated by a compiler. The simulation modules are simulated as concurrent tasks in multiprocessor system performance simulation environment in SystemC. We use aggregated waits to reduce overhead in the simulation kernel and triple the speed of the simulation. Our study shows that we can obtain overall system performance results with less than 6% error while simulating at 150times faster than using an Instruction Set Simulator. This opens up system design space explorations that were not possible before.