A Framework for Simulating Heterogeneous Virtual Processors

This paper examines the layered software modules of a heterogeneous multiprocessor simulator and debugger, and the design patterns that span these modules. Lucent's LUsWORKS simulator and debugger works with multiple processor architectures. Its modeling infrastructure, processor models, processor monitor/control, hardware control, vendor simulator interface and Tel/Tk extension layers are spanned by the following design patterns: build and extend abstract virtual processors; build reflective entities; build an acrylic client-server system; build a covariant extensible system; and build and maintain the whole system. Together these modules and patterns define an extensible processor execution architecture that is growing to meet the needs of distributed and embedded multiprocessing.