Architectural Exploration

Abstract

Computer architects have found great utility in dynamic binary modification systems as an enabling technology for fast exploratory studies of novel architectural algorithms or features. These exploratory applications have taken the form of simulation tools, instruction emulation features, and general design-space exploration. Furthermore, dynamic binary modification systems can be used for complete binary translation functionality, to enable a smooth transition from one instructionset architecture to another, otherwise incompatible architecture. In fact, several corporations have leveraged this precise technology to support industrial strength and widely circulated binary translation (Apple, Dehnert et al. [2003]). The wide variety of opportunities and applications within the computer architecture community will be discussed in this chapter.