Automated and accurate cache behavior analysis for codes with irregular access patterns

Abstract. The memory hierarchy plays an essential role in the performance of current computers, thus good analysis tools that help predict and understand its behavior are required. Analytical modeling is the ideal base for such tools if its traditional limitations in accuracy and scope of application are overcome. For example, while there has been extensive research on the modeling of codes with regular access patterns, less attention has been paid to the codes with irregular patterns due to the increased difficulty to analyze them. Nevertheless, many important applications exhibit this kind of patterns, and their lack of locality make them more cache-demanding, which makes their study more relevant. In this paper we define the information requirements of an existing analytical model that can provide fast and accurate predictions of the cache behavior of codes with irregular access patterns. In addition, we describe the integration of the model in a research compiler oriented to autom...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2007
• Where: CONCURRENCY
• Authors: Diego Andrade, Manuel Arenaz, Basilio B. Fraguela, Juan Touriño, Ramon Doallo
• Keywords: Access Patterns, CONCURRENCY 2007, Regular Access Patterns, Scientific Codes