PSATSim: an interactive graphical superscalar architecture simulator for power and performance analysis

Two of the most important design issues for modern processors are power and performance. It is important for students in computer organization classes to understand the tradeoff between these two issues. This paper presents PSATSim, a graphical simulator that allows student to configure the design of a speculative out-of-order execution superscalar processor and see the effect of the design on both power and performance. The simulator explicitly shows the relationship between instructions within a processor by visually tagging instructions. The use of a graphical simulator makes it simple for instructors to demonstrate the execution of instructions within these architectures and the interactions among processor components.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2006
• Where: WCAE
• Authors: Clint W. Smullen, Tarek M. Taha
• Keywords: Execution Superscalar Processor, Graphical Simulator, Hardware, Important Design Issues, WCAE 2006