On the representation of memory references generated by a program with application to the analysis of cache memories
Abstract
In this paper we propose a stochastic model of the sequence of memory references generated by a program. We derive explicit expressions of the main characteristics related to such sequences : working set behavior, miss rates in the case of an architecture with a cache. The problem of (spatial/temporal) locality is addressed and the stochastic models proposed in the literature (the IRM model mainly) are discussed from this point of view. Examples with real traces generated by benchmarks of fortran programs are presented.