Comrade - A Compiler for Adaptive Computing Systems using a Novel Fast Speculation Technique

Several examples have shown that adaptive computers are capable of outperforming traditional workstations in terms of computing time as well as energy efficiency. Developing applications for an adaptive computer, however, is often a complex task. Hardware (HW) and software (SW) parts as well as their interfaces have to be implemented, requiring specialized skills as well as additional design time. To overcome this dilemma, the Comrade system compiles full ANSI-C to combined HW/SW applications for adaptive computers. Comrade is a third-generation tool, being based on concepts of predecessors GaipCC and Nimble. Other high level compilers have been presented, but none of them (to our knowledge) support compilation from a full high level input language to combined HW/SW solutions. This paper gives an overview of Comrade's architecture and presents our current and planned future research.