X-Ware: mutant computing substrates

Abstract

In this paper we introduce X-Ware, a framework for computing whereby components used by an application can take different forms and characteristics across the lifetime of the system in order to adjust to dynamic application requirements. In particular, we explore two aspects of system mutability: dynamic choice of implementations for certain system components (e.g., leading to different trade-offs between quality and resource usage); and the change in non-functional characteristics of these components (e.g., speed and energy consumption) due to process and environmental variations. We demonstrate X-Ware with a library of mathematical APIs that can help components save up to 93% in energy and 94% in execution time by tolerating a small degradation in quality.

A Framework for Predictable Hardware/Software Component Reconfiguration

“…Adaptability also improves tolerance to hardware faults, particularly those arising from Negative-Bias Temperature Instability (NBTI) and Process, Voltage and Temperature (PVT) variations [Martins et al 2015]. An adaptive component architecture enables each individual component to exist in multiple implementations, each encompassing a specific compromise between the quality of the functionality being provided and the resources needed to provide it [Reis et al 2015]. For instance, a component may coexist as a sequential software to be run in a single CPU, as a parallel software to be run on a multicore CPU or on a GPU, as hardware to be instantiated on an FPGA, or as a remote (web) service.…”