Heterogeneous code cache: using scratchpad and main memory in dynamic binary translators

Dynamic binary translation (DBT) can be used to address important issues in embedded systems. DBT systems store translated code in a software-managed code cache. Unlike general-purpose systems, embedded systems often have specialized memory resources, such as a fast scratchpad memory, that can be used to mitigate DBT performance overhead. This paper presents the Heterogeneous Code Cache (HCC), a code cache split among scratchpad and main memory. We explore several HCC management policies and show that, on average, an HCC outperforms a code cache allocated only to scratchpad or only to main memory. Categories and Subject Descriptors C.3 [Computer Systems Organization]: Special-purpose and application-based systems—Real-time and embedded systems; D.3.4 [Programming Languages]: Processors—Code generation, Compilers, Incremental compilers, Interpreters, Optimization, Run-time environments General Terms Measurement, Performance, Design, Experimentation Keywords Dynamic Binary Translati...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2009
• Where: DAC
• Authors: José Baiocchi, Bruce R. Childers
• Keywords: Code Cache, DAC 2009, Dynamic Binary Translation, Embedded Systems