Java Machine and Integrated Circuit Architecture (JAMAICA)

Abstract

The Jamaica project is concerned with the design of a single-chip multi-processor aimed specifically at multi-threaded Java implementation. It has wide ranging aims that require research in a variety of hardware and software areas. In order to perform a comprehensive evaluation of the Jamaica approach, it was thought necessary to perform detailed instruction level simulation. A single CPU structure was therefore required to form the basic building block of the system and hence the simulator. One of the first decisions needed was the basic Instruction Set Architecture of the CPU. The reasons behind the choice are examined using results obtained by detailed instrumentation of the Java Virtual Machine and the running of a variety of Java benchmarks. The choice is further validated by developing a Java translator and tuning its register windows allocation taking into consideration many implementation details, including a finite register set and argument passing overheads.