Systems Seminar: Prof. Wen-mei Hwu, ECE and CSL, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Beyond EPIC: Semantic-Based Program Optimization Technology

Abstract

The microprocessor industry will introduce several major EPIC based products in 1999. The most notable ones are the Intel/HP IA-64 line and the Motorola/Lucent StarCore line. It is now critical for the research community to lay the foundation for the microprocessor architectures beyond EPIC. I will first describe the IMPACT group's technical vision in this area. The techniques that we are currently developing are inspired by the insights we gained while developing compiler and architecture techniques for EPIC, predication and speculation in particular. A portfolio of advanced analysis and transformation techniques, collectively referred to as Semantic-based Program Optimization Technology, are being developed to achieve a much higher level of parallelism and efficiency than the previous approaches. I will then present the initial results from first piece of technology in the portfolio, Program Decision Logic Minimization.

Speaker Bio

Wen-mei W. Hwu is a Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Since 1997, he has served as the chairman of the Computer Engineering Program at the University of Illinois. His research interest is in the area of architecture, implementation, and compilation for high performance computer systems. He is the director of the IMPACT project, which has delivered new compiler and computer architecture technologies to the computer industry. In recognition of his contributions to the areas of compiler optimization and computer architecture, the Intel Corporation named him the Intel Associate Professor at the College of Engineering, University of Illinois in 1992. He received the 1993 Eta Kappa Nu Outstanding Young Electrical Engineer Award, the 1994 Xerox Award for Faculty Research, the 1994 University Scholar Award of the University of Illinois, the 1997 Eta Kappa Nu Holmes MacDonald Outstanding Teaching Award, and the 1998 ACM SigArch Maurice Wilkes Award. He is an IEEE Fellow. Dr. Hwu received his Ph.D. degree in Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley.