XAMP: An eXtensible Analytical Model Platform

Analytical modeling plays a unique and important role in computer architecture design, providing a first-order estimate, reducing the design search space size for simulation, or giving insights on basic relationships between various variables and parameters. However, current practices in using analytical models face considerable hurdles: models vary widely in types, predictive capability, and assumptions they rely on, creating a high barrier of entry. Consequently, the high barrier prevents wide adoption of analytical models. In this paper, we propose a tool that integrates analytical models into a single extensible platform that provides a uniform interface and model query engine. Users can perform input-based search (searching what outputs can be predicted by models given a set of available inputs), output-based search (searching what inputs are required in order for models to produce the desired outputs), or both combined. The query engine also analyzes various ways in which models can be connected so that they can be combined to extend the prediction capabilities beyond individual models' capabilities. The tool can be extended to include new models, allowing it to evolve as more models are added, and allowing collaborative model development. We refer to the tool as XAMP (eXtensible Analytical Model Platform). We believe XAMP is a useful first step toward lowering the barrier of entry for using and developing analytical models.