Machine learning-driven computer architecture tools and methods have the potential to drastically shape the future of computer architecture. The question is: how can we lay the foundation to effectively usher in this era? In this post, we delve into the transformative impact of machine learning (ML) on the research landscape, emphasizing the importance of understanding both its potential and pitfalls to fully support ML-assisted computer architecture research. By exploring these advancements, our aim is to highlight the opportunities that lie ahead and outline the collective steps that we, as ..read more

In this blog post, we highlight recent publications from the IEEE Computer Architecture Letters (CAL) from the IEEE Computer Architecture Letter Vol. 21 (Issue1  •  Jan-Jun2022).  We include a short summary if provided by the authors.   IEEE CAL Editorial Board Accelerating Graph Processing With Lightweight Learning-Based Data Reordering Mo Zou, Mingzhe Zhang, Rujia Wang, Xian-He Sun, Xiaochun Ye, Dongrui Fan, Zhimin Tang MPU-Sim: A Simulator for In-DRAM Near-Bank Processing Architectures Xinfeng Xie, Peng Gu, Jiayi Huang, Yufei Ding, Yuan Xie MPU-Sim is an end-to-end ..read more

Across the computer systems and architecture community, there has been A Call to Action to advance and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values through systemic change. Towards this step,  HPCA 2021, PPoPP 2021, CGO 2021, and CC 2021 held a joint session panel on “Valuing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Our Computing Community” to discuss paths across academia and industry. Recent blog posts have raised awareness and advocated for greater DEI efforts including: Gender Diversity in Computer Architecture, Statement on Diversity at MICRO-50, What Happens to Us Does Not Happe ..read more

Welcome to the trip report on the 27th Annual (and the first virtual/global online) IEEE Symposium on High Performance Computer Architecture!  The conference marks one full year of virtual keynotes, panels, talks, and networking, for many of us, since the last physical conference experience at HPCA 2020 in San Diego, before the global pandemic surge in March 2020.  Despite the challenges with virtual organizing, the conference was a resounding success with a terrific program that included stimulating keynotes, live Q&A sessions, and a panel discussion on diversity.  Her ..read more

With deep sadness and great sorrow, we inform the community about the recent passing of our dear friend and colleague, Professor Michel Dubois, a foundational leader in our field of computer architecture and parallel processing. Michel earned his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Nuclear Engineering from the Faculte Polytechnique de Mons (Belgium) in 1976, his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1978, and his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering in 1982 under the mentorship of Professor Fayé Briggs. He was a Research Engineer in the Ce ..read more

Scientific progress relies on sound reviewing processes.  The integrity of our review process is paramount, and it rests on our handling of ethical concerns and conflicts of interest.  These issues have been compounded by the rapid growth in the computer architecture community,  increases in reviewer load, and the introduction of virtual and hybrid conferences.  To support our conference organizers, the SIGARCH and TCCA Executive Committees have developed and updated several written guidelines and best practices documents.  These resources cover a range of strategic an ..read more

This is a repost from the ACM SigArch blog. Welcome to the trip report on the 28th IEEE International Symposium on High-Performance Computer Architecture (HPCA-28)! This marks the second fully-virtual HPCA (and hopefully last). With signs of the COVID-19 pandemic receding last November 2021, HPCA decided to move to April 2022 with the goal of an in-person conference. Unfortunately, the only thing predictable about COVID-19 is its unpredictability. For the second time in a row, General Chairs Jung Ho Ahn and John Kim worked tirelessly to organize another successful fully-virtual HPCA. HPCA-28 w ..read more

1: What is Superconductor SFQ? Moore’s Law, doubling the number of transistors in a chip every two years, has so far contributed to the evolution of computer systems. Unfortunately, we cannot expect sustainable transistor shrinking anymore, marking the beginning of the so-called post-Moore era. Therefore, it has become essential to explore emerging devices, and superconductor single-flux-quantum (SFQ) logic that operates in a 4.2-kelvin environment is a promising candidate. As shown in Figure 1, Josephson junctions (JJs) are used as switching elements in SFQ logic to compose a superconductor r ..read more

With MICRO upon us, I would like to take time to reflect on the events running up to the establishment of CASA or the Computer Architecture Student Association. This month we will be celebrating our first anniversary as an active organization!  We at CASA, feel we have made significant progress towards our goal of bringing students in computer architecture together and providing a strong support system for all. We are thankful for the support CASA has received from the community at large; you have helped us fund and run a series of successful initiatives and events throughout the past yea ..read more

Dear Computer Architecture Community, We take this opportunity to invite you all to the first-ever edition of the IEEE International Symposium on Secure and Private Execution Environment Design (SEED). This blog post will provide an overview of the inaugural edition of IEEE SEED 2021 and its program. The conference is sponsored by TCCA and will be held virtually. The technical program consists of a total of 26 papers accepted and two keynote talks. There were four categories for submission: (1) regular papers with 11 pages, (2) Systemization of Knowledge (SoK) papers with 11 pages ..read more