Run-time adaptive Flexible Instruction Processors

Abstract

This paper explores run-time adaptation of Flexible Instruction Processors (FIPs), a method for parametrising descriptions and development of instruction processors. The run-time adaptability of a FIPsystem allows it to evolve to suit the requirements of the user, by requesting automatic refinement based on instruction usage patterns. The techniques and tools that we have developed include: (a) a runtime environment that manages the reconfiguration of the FIPso that it can execute a given application as efficiently as possible; (b) mechanisms to accumulate run-time metrics, and analysis of the metrics to allow the run-time environment to request for automatic refinements; (c) techniques to automatically customise a FIPto an application. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2002.