A first-step towards an architecture tuning methodology for low power

We describe an automated environment to assist a system-on-achip designer to tune a microprocessor core to a particular application program that will run on the microprocessor, and vice-versa, with the goal of reducing embedded system power consumption. We limit such tuning to modifications that do not change the microprocessor instruction set, thus avoiding the large costs that would come with such a change. Our tuning environment for the 8051 microcontroller is freely-available on the web.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2000
• Where: CASES
• Authors: Greg Stitt, Frank Vahid, Tony Givargis, Roman L. Lysecky
• Keywords: CASES 2000, Microprocessor Core, Microprocessor Instruction, Particular Application Program, System Software