处理器体系结构模拟器综述

Overview of Processor Architecture Simulators

随着处理器的微结构和拓扑结构越来越复杂,结构设计空间呈几何倍数增加,导致处理器性能评估难度加大,处理器体系结构模拟器对评估处理器性能、分析性能瓶颈以及进一步的性能优化具有重要意义。针对处理器体系结构以及功能/性能评估的精度、复杂度与准确度的不同需求,分别研究功能模拟器、性能模拟器以及混合模拟器的模型结构以及模拟行为的构建方法。进一步阐述了国内外处理器厂商推出的体系结构模拟器在不同设计阶段的各类应用,结合实际应用对处理器体系结构模拟器的特征进行总结,并介绍了新型应用背景、新型处理器体系结构下体系结构模拟器的发展趋势。

As the microarchitecture and topology of processors become more and more complex,the structural design space increases geometrically,thereby heightening the challenge in processor performance evaluation.Processor architecture simulators are of great significance for evaluating processor performance,analyzing performance bottlenecks,and optimizing performance further.Aiming at the different needs of processor architecture and precision,complexity and accuracy of function/performance evaluation,the construction methods of model structures and simulation behavior of functional simulators,performance simulators,and hybrid simulators are investigated.The various applications of architecture simulators at different stages of design introduced by domestic and foreign processor manufacturers are elaborated,the characteristics of architecture simulators based on practical applications are summarized,and the evolving trends of architecture simulators against the backdrop of new applications and emerging processor architectures are introduced.