T-SPaCS — A two-level single-pass cache simulation methodology

The cache hierarchy's large contribution to total microprocessor system power makes caches a good optimization candidate. We propose a single-pass trace-driven cache simulation methodology - T-SPaCS - for a two-level exclusive instruction cache hierarchy. Instead of storing and simulating numerous stacks repeatedly as in direct adaptation of a conventional trace-driven cache simulation to two level caches, T-SPaCS simulates both the level one and level two caches simultaneously using one stack. Experimental results show T-SPaCS efficiently and accurately determines the optimal cache configuration (lowest energy).