Micro-benchmark Suite for Microprocessor Simulation Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microprocessor design processes face inefficiencies due to the time and resource-intensive nature of lower-level models like RTL-based simulations for commercial workloads, which often fail to accurately represent actual workload conditions when using micro-benchmarks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generating a suite of micro-benchmarks with associated weighting factors to create a weighted aggregate workload condition that approximates commercial workload conditions, using both fine-grained and coarse-grained simulations to calculate these factors, allowing for more efficient iterative design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If lower-level models (RTL-based simulations) are used for detailed analysis, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but productivity and time consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the workload characterization into multiple micro-benchmarks that collectively represent the full commercial workload. Each micro-benchmark targets specific workload characteristics, allowing detailed RTL simulation to be applied selectively to representative cases rather than the entire commercial workload, thus maintaining precision while improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified copies (micro-benchmarks) that replicate the essential characteristics of the commercial workload. These micro-benchmarks serve as proxies that can be simulated efficiently at the RTL level while capturing the necessary detailed behavior for power and performance analysis.
2Productivity
If micro-benchmarks are used for simulation, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to deviation from actual workload conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a suite of micro-benchmarks that collectively serve multiple functions: each individual micro-benchmark can be simulated efficiently, while the aggregate of weighted micro-benchmarks accurately represents the commercial workload. This multi-functional approach allows both efficient simulation and accurate workload characterization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the workload representation by changing from a single commercial workload to multiple micro-benchmarks with associated weighting factors. This parameter transformation allows the system to maintain accuracy by preserving the statistical characteristics of the original workload while enabling efficient simulation through smaller, representative test cases.
3Measurement precision
If commercial workloads are simulated directly, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption and resource usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis to identify and create micro-benchmarks that capture the essential characteristics of the commercial workload before conducting detailed RTL simulation. This preliminary characterization allows subsequent simulations to use the pre-prepared micro-benchmarks, avoiding the need to simulate the entire commercial workload at the detailed RTL level.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include systems and methods for optimization of micro-benchmark analysis for microprocessor designs. For example, embodiments seek to generate a suite of micro-benchmarks and associated weighting factors, which can be used to effectively define a weighted aggregate workload condition for a fine-grained (e.g., RTL) simulation in a manner that is a sufficient proxy for predicted commercial workload conditions. The suite of micro-benchmarks can be appreciably more efficient to simulate than the commercial workload, so that using the suite of micro-benchmarks as a proxy for the commercial workload can provide many benefits, including more efficient iterative design.