Category Archives: News

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New paper published: “Against the Current: Introducing Reversibility to Superscalar Processors via Reversible Branch Predictors”

tlab PhD student Byron Gregg presented both a paper and a poster on “Against the Current: Introducing Reversibility to Superscalar Processors via Reversible Branch Predictors” at “The 15th International Green and Sustainable Computing Conference,” Austin, TX, 2024.

IGSCC proceedings: https://www.computer.org/csdl/proceedings/igsc/2024/22gEnJUWwMg 

Citation:

B. Gregg and C. Teuscher, “Against the Current: Introducing Reversibility to Superscalar Processors via Reversible Branch Predictors,” 2024 IEEE 15th International Green and Sustainable Computing Conference (IGSC), Austin, TX, USA, 2024, pp. 135-141, doi: 10.1109/IGSC64514.2024.00033.

Abstract:

Although highly energy efficient, adiabatic and reversible systems suffer from performance drawbacks inherent to the physical operations that make them so efficient. Superscalar processors provide high performance through out-of-order speculative work of which an effective branch predictor is a key component in those performance gains. In the context of reversibility, a branch predictor is a design focal point because any fully reversible system must also be able to predict branch outcomes when in reverse mode. Taking advantage of Temporal Streaming techniques, this paper introduces several reversible branch predictor implementations which enable reversible and out-of-order instruction execution. These first-of-their-kind designs allow for a superscalar architecture that would maintain both a high level of performance and a high level of energy efficiency with the ability to un-compute obsolete data stored in memory. Testing our designs using the SimpleScalar out-of-order simulator, we estimate possible additional savings of 24 fJ per MB of data recovered at room temperature and at reverse prediction rates 2.27% higher than the forward. This work opens new avenues for designing and developing what we are calling Fully Adiabatic, Reversible, and Superscalar (FARS) Processor Architectures and is the first of many adaptations of conventional superscalar components to a reversible system.

Summer interns publish book

Students of the NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) on “Computational Modeling Serving Portland,” the altREU program to “Design, Program, and Use Computers to Benefit Society,” and teuscher.:Lab interns edited and published a 300-page book on their summer research projects. The book publishing project was entirely led by the interns. The book can be ordered on Amazon (all benefits go to a good cause) at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJ5C1VMN or downloaded for free on PDXScholar at https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/42556.

New NSF award funded: Diverse Internships for Semiconductor Careers in the Portland Metro Area

Portland State University received a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to establish an innovative program aimed at preparing diverse cohorts of students for careers in the rapidly growing semiconductor industry.

The launch of the Diverse Internships for Semiconductor Careers, or DISC, program reinforces Portland State’s commitment to equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and its role as a key player in Oregon’s thriving Silicon Forest ecosystem. As the program develops, it aims to serve as a model for other institutions seeking to bridge the gap between academia and industry while promoting diversity in high-tech fields.

The DISC program will be led by Andrea Goforth, professor of chemistry, Christof Teuscher, professor in the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, and Jennifer Lindwall, associate director of the Center for Internships, Mentoring, and Research (CIMR). The trio brings a combined expertise in nanomaterials research, computational modeling, and student success initiatives that will guide the program’s development and implementation.

This program will provide 56 high-quality, paid internship placements over three years for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in STEM fields. This effort directly addresses the critical workforce shortages and lack of diversity in the semiconductor industry, aligning with national goals of restoring American leadership in microchip development and manufacturing.

DISC will collaborate with major industry partners, including Intel, Siemens EDA, Andes Technology, Moses Lake Industries, and ams-OSRAM USA. These partnerships ensure that internships are aligned with current industry needs and provide students with real-world experience in cutting-edge semiconductor technology. DISC will be looking for additional partners as the program progresses.

Press release: https://www.pdx.edu/news/psu-awarded-nsf-grant-launch-innovative-semiconductor-internship-program

For more information about the DISC program and how to apply, please visit the program’s web page or email disc@pdx.edu.