Microsystem performance evaluation

A description is given of the Microsystem Performance Evaluation System (MPES), a computer-based tool to aid the developer of microsystems in deriving quantitative figures of merit of alternate approaches to the design of microsystems. It can be used to identify potential bottlenecks, and to provide quantitative tradeoffs of various solutions proposed for fixing the bottlenecks to assure optimized products. The quantitative evaluation also facilitates the product selection. Major topics discussed include tracing methodology, workload characterization, simulation modeling, model validation, and performance analysis.