Abstract: A method of computing overhead associated with executing instructions on an out-of-order processor which includes determining when a first instruction retires, determining when a second instruction retires, and calculating an overhead based upon subtracting when the first instruction retired from when the second instruction retired.

Abstract: A method and system for the smart prefetching of instructions is disclosed. The method includes computing an effective memory latency of a request for data and using the effective memory latency to compute an effective address from which to prefetch data.

Abstract: A computer system includes a cache memory a functional unit in communication with the cache memory, and a reconfiguration module. The functional unit executes applications using the cache memory. The reconfiguration module is for determining an optimal configuration of cache memory for a particular application and programming the cache memory to the optimal configuration. A method of reconfiguring cache memory includes determining an optimal configuration of cache memory for a particular application executed by a functional unit using a cache memory and programming the cache memory to the optimal configuration.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the performance of an application on a processor includes simulating an ideal processor having infinite resources and executing an existing application on this ideal processor. The method advantageously allows determination of bottlenecks in the application on an existing architecture based upon the performance of the application on the ideal processor. Additionally by compiling an application for an ideal processor and executing the application on the ideal processor, performance improvement opportunities may be identified and evaluated. Such a system assists in determining which parts of an application, even with infinite processor resources, do not use all the resources of a processor. By identifying the used resources, the application then can be configured to optimize these resources and thus to obtain a maximum possible performance for the application.

Abstract: A method for analyzing performance using a cycle accurate simulator. The cycle accurate simulator executes snapshots extracted from an application, collects performance metrics from the cycle accurate simulator, and dumps this information onto a file. A tool reads the metric file for all the snapshots and maps these metrics at instruction, function and at the source code level.

Abstract: A method and system for the smart prefetching of instructions is disclosed. The method includes computing an effective memory latency of a request for data and using the effective memory latency to compute an effective address from which to prefetch data.

Abstract: A method of computing overhead associated with executing instructions on an out-of-order processor which includes determining when a first instruction retires, determining when a second instruction retires, and calculating an overhead based upon subtracting when the first instruction retired from when the second instruction retired.

Abstract: A method of generating physical memory access statistics for a computer system having a non-uniform memory access architecture which includes a plurality of processors located on a respective plurality of boards. The method includes monitoring when a memory trap occurs, determining a physical memory access location when the memory trap occurs, determining a frequency of physical memory accesses by the plurality of processors based upon the physical memory access locations, and generating physical memory statistics showing the frequency of physical memory accesses by the plurality of processors for each board of the computer system.

Abstract: A reconfigurable cache memory includes a programmable memory unit; a functional unit in communication with the programmable memory unit, and reconfiguration module. The functional unit executes applications using the programmable memory unit. The reconfiguration module for determining an optimal configuration of memory for a particular application and programming the programmable memory unit to the optimal configuration. A method of reconfiguring cache memory includes determining an optimal configuration of memory for a particular application executed by a functional unit using a programmable memory unit and programming the programmable memory unit to the optimal configuration.