System Performance Analysis

Abstract

This chapter gives a general overview of the performance analysis techniques, used during architecture exploration on different levels of abstraction, of a networking environment. The basic techniques for constructing, validating and verifying models are discussed. A set of generic guidelines and warnings for interpretation of simulation results and for architecture exploration is given. We state that performance analysis can significantly support architecture validation and exploration for complex systems through learning about the system, detect unforeseen bottlenecks or shortcomings early in design flow, quantitative assessment of impact of design decisions, algorithm exploration, tuning functional algorithm to practical design, aid in determining optimum dimensions, settings (thresholds, ⋯) and sensitivity. We will focus on a methodology enabling the assessment of system level modelling from a performance modelling in the context of system-level IP Reuse.