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The PACE Project investigated the feasibility of using a combination of characterization-driven optimization, feedback-directed optimization, and automatic selection of transformations to retarget an optimizing compiler to new computer systems. This report provides an overview of the design, the implementation, and the ways in which the PACE components advanced the state of the art in compilation, in performance measurement and attribution, in portable measurement of system characteristics, and in machine learning., Rice University was the lead institution on the PACE Project, with subcontracts at Ohio State University, Stanford University, ET International, and Texas Instruments. PACE was part of the DARPA-sponsored Architecture-Aware Compiler Environment (AACE) program. Report contains color

This project investigated a number of problems that arise in compiling application code for embedded systems. These systems present the compiler with a number of challenges that arise from economic constraints, physical constraints, and idiosyncratic requirements of the application and processors. The project developed new techniques in optimization and code generation that addressed problems including code size reduction, instruction scheduling, data placement (on partitioned register set machines), spill code reduction, and operator strength reduction. It also produced fundamental work on transformation ordering., The original document contains color images.

This program was based on leveraging software compiler optimization expertise to further improve upon hardware compiler optimization techniques for Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs).