Efficient software runtime environments for universal memory architectures

• Grant number: 14/17925-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date until: December 01, 2014
• End date until: November 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science - Computer Systems
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Rodolfo Jardim de Azevedo
• Grantee: Emilio de Camargo Francesquini
• Host Institution: Instituto de Computação (IC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/08293-7 - CCES - Center for Computational Engineering and Sciences, AP.CEPID

Abstract

The current technologies for computer memory, DRAM, is reaching its end of life in terms of scalability due to the technology process evolution that requires even smaller memory cells. Nowadays, there is no prototype implementation of DRAM cells below 40nm, while it is already common to have integrated circuits using 32nm transistors and prototypes using 22nm. For this reason hardware designers turned their attention to some alternative memory technologies. Most of these technologies share, however, a common feature. Contrary to DRAM, they are non-volatile, \ie, they are capable of maintaining the stored data without the need for a continuous power supply. Using a non-volatile technology as primary and secondary memories will raise questions on the reason to have two different memories in a system, which lays the foundation to Universal Memory, one simple storage that will hold both current and persistent states. However, current software (low and high-level) is not ready for such a change in memory architectures. The research to make software work correctly on these architectures involves security, operating systems, and runtime environments optimization. This project will research the impact these new memory technologies have on current software as well as propose solutions for an efficient and coherent use of these new memories. (AU)