ITR: Collaborative Research--Ascertaining Runtime Branch Characteristics through Algebraic Analysis of Programs

Princeton University, Princeton NJ

Investigators

Abstract

The goal of this research is to reduce the cost and improve the performance of observation-based branch characterization mechanisms in the compiler and hardware. Often, correlation discovered at great cost or missed entirely through execution can be determined in a simple algebraic fashion at compile time. Relationships between program structures can be inferred from these algebraic expressions and subsequently conveyed to compiler optimizations and to the hardware through appropriate mechanisms to be developed by this research. Once employed, these relationships can refocus the efforts expended by observation-based mechanisms, or can eliminate the need for them altogether.