Optimization of cache memory at runtime for embedded processor LEON3

Author(s)

Lucas Albers Cuminato

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Matemáticas e de Computação (ICMC/SB)
• Defense date: 2014-04-28

Examining board members

Vanderlei Bonato; Marcio Merino Fernandes; Eduardo Marques

• Advisor: Vanderlei Bonato

Abstract

Energy consumption is one of the most important issues in embedded systems. Studies have shown that in this type of system the cache consumes most of the power supplied to the processor. In most embedded processors, the cache configuration parameters are fixed and do not allow changes after manufacture/synthesis. However, this is not the ideal scenario, since the configuration of the cache may not be suitable for a particular application, resulting in lower performance and excessive energy consumption. In this context, this project proposes a hardware implementation, using reconfigurable computing, able to reconfigure the parameters of the LEON3 processor\'s cache in run-time improving applications performance and reducing the power consumption of the system. The result of the experiment shows it is possible to reduce the processor\'s power consumption up to 5% with only 0.1% degradation in performance (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/15094-5 - Run-time cache optimization for embedded processor LEON3
• Grantee: Lucas Albers Cuminato
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master