Merge: a programming model for heterogeneous multi-core systems

In this paper we propose the Merge framework, a general purpose programming model for heterogeneous multi-core systems. The Merge framework replaces current ad hoc approaches to parallel programming on heterogeneous platforms with a rigorous, library-based methodology that can automatically distribute computation across heterogeneous cores to achieve increased energy and performance efficiency. The Merge framework provides (1) a predicate dispatch-based library system for managing and invoking function variants for multiple architectures; (2) a high-level, library-oriented parallel language based on map-reduce; and (3) a compiler and runtime which implement the map-reduce language pattern by dynamically selecting the best available function implementations for a given input and machine configuration. Using a generic sequencer architecture interface for heterogeneous accelerators, the Merge framework can integrate function variants for specialized accelerators, offering the potential f...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2008
• Where: ASPLOS
• Authors: Michael D. Linderman, Jamison D. Collins, Hong Wang 0003, Teresa H. Y. Meng
• Keywords: ASPLOS 2008, Heterogeneous Multi-core Systems, Heterogeneous Platform, Merge Framework, Programming Languages