LISA-machine description language and generic machine model for HW/SW co-design

Abstract

In the paper a new machine description language is presented. The new language LISA, and its generic machine model are able to produce bit-and cycle/phase-accurate processor models covering the specific needs of HW/SW co-design, and co-simulation environments. The development of a new language was necessary in order to cover the gap between coarse ISA models used in compilers, and instruction-set simulators on the one hand, and detailed models used for hardware design on the other. The main part of the paper is devoted to behavioral pipeline modeling. The pipeline controller of the generic machine model is represented as an ASAP (As Soon As Possible) sequencer parameterized by precedence and resource constraints of operations of each instruction. The standard pipeline description based on reservation tables and Gantt charts was extended by additional operation descriptors which enable the detection of data and control hazards, and permit modeling of pipeline flushes. Using the newly introduced L-charts we reduced the Parameterization of the pipeline controller to a minimum and at the same time covered typical pipeline controls found in state-of-the-art signal processors. As an example, the application of the LISA model on the TI-TMS320C54x signal processor is presented.

A Dynamically Configurable Discrete Event Simulation Framework for Many-Core Chip Multiprocessors

“…A previous approach to retargetable simulators is investigated through the use of computer Architecture Description Languages (ADLs) such as Expression (Halambi, et al, 1999), LISA (Zivojnovic, et al, 1996), nML (Freericks, 1991), and RCPN (Reshadi & Dutt, 2005). These tools have been proposed primarily for automatic generation of computer architecture simulators.…”

Processor Description Languages

“…LISA (language for instruction set architecture) [30] was developed at Aachen University of Technology, Germany, with a simulator centric view. The language has been used to produce production quality simulators [31].…”

“…An extensive body of recent work addresses ADL driven software toolkit generation and design space exploration of processor-based embedded systems, in both academia: ISDL [12], Valen-C [36], MIMOLA [8], LISA [30], nML [11], Sim-nML [37], EXPRESSION [24]; and industry: [23].…”

Dynamic Support of Processor Extensions in Cross Development Tools

“…LISA [21]- [22] language was developed at RWTH Aachen (Germany) and was initially designed for hardware specification for automatic simulator generation. The first results were reported in 1996.…”