Compilation and simulation tool chain for memory aware energy optimizations

Abstract

Memories are known to be the energy bottleneck of portable embedded devices. Numerous memory aware energy optimizations have been proposed. However, both the optimization and the validation are performed in an ad-hoc manner as a coherent optimizing compilation and simulation framework does not exist as yet. In this paper, we present such a framework for performing memory hierarchy aware energy optimization. Both the compiler and the simulator are configured from a single memory hierarchy description. Significant savings of up to 50% in the total energy dissipation are reported. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.