A post-compilation register reassignment technique for improving hamming distance code compression

Code compression is a field where compression ratios between compiler-generated code and subsequent compressed code are highly dependent on decisions made at compile time. Most optimizations employed by compilers tend to focus on parameters such as program performance, minimizing resource dependencies and sometimes the option of reducing code size. This paper describes a post-compilation technique for the greedy reassignment of general purpose scratch registers to improve Hamming distance based code compression. The code translation renumbers registers based on the frequency of registers used by isomorphic instructions and employs a Gray coding scheme to reduce Hamming distances between similar instructions. Register reassignment has been successfully implemented in areas where the compiler optimizations do not include a particular metric, for example, power savings. Pro-gram values can be reassigned register numbers that reduce overall power consumption of the address bus and registe...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2005
• Where: CASES
• Authors: Montserrat Ros, Peter Sutton
• Keywords: CASES 2005, Code Compression, Hamming Distance, Register Reassignment, System Software