CSR: Small: Modernizing Dynamic Binary Translation Systems

动态二进制翻译(DBT)用于将可执行代码从一种指令集体系结构翻译到另一种指令集体系结构，支持一系列基本应用程序，包括体系结构模拟器、硬件模拟器、运行时优化器、程序分析工具、软件测试平台等。然而，现有的DBT系统没有跟上计算机软件和硬件的快速发展。例如，现有的DBT系统由于翻译的二进制代码的质量差而遭受严重的执行效率低下。因此，在许多重要的应用中采用DBT变得越来越具有挑战性，特别是在新兴领域中，例如机器学习和图形处理。该项目的目标是通过一系列新颖的创新使DBT系统现代化。一个关键的见解是，不同计算机指令集之间的翻译--通常用汇编语言表示--类似于不同自然语言之间的翻译。受此启发，该项目将发明新的翻译方法来生成高质量的二进制代码，该项目开发的创新将提高DBT系统在运行二进制代码时的性能效率。此外，它们还将增强DBT系统支持重要应用的能力。随着该项目的现代化，更高效、更有能力、更强大的DBT系统不仅将使现有的DBT应用受益，而且将使DBT应用进入新的领域，产生长期的影响。该项目开发的创新技术将为研究界推动DBT领域的发展提供见解。此外，该项目将组织一系列精心组织的教学和指导活动，以促进本科生的研究经验，并创造一个更多样化和更具包容性的教育环境。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Dynamic binary translation (DBT), used to translate executable code from one instruction set architecture to another, supports a range of essential applications, including architectural simulators, hardware emulators, runtime optimizers, program analysis tools, software testing platforms, and more. However, existing DBT systems have not kept up with the rapid evolution of computer software and hardware. For instance, existing DBT systems suffer from significant execution inefficiencies due to the poor quality of the translated binary code. As a consequence, it becomes increasingly challenging to adopt DBT for many important applications, especially those in emerging domains, e.g., machine learning and graph processing. The goal of this project is to modernize DBT systems through a series of novel innovations. A key insight is that the translation between different computer instruction sets --usually represented in assembly language-- is similar to the translation between different natural languages. Inspired by this insight, this project will invent novel translation approaches to produce high-quality binary code.The innovations developed by this project will improve the performance efficiency of DBT systems when running binary code. Moreover, they will enhance the capability of DBT systems to support important applications. More efficient, more capable, and more powerful DBT systems, as modernized by this project, will not only benefit current DBT applications, but also enable DBT applications in new frontiers, producing long-lasting impacts. The innovative technologies developed in this project will provide insights for the research community to push forward the DBT field. Additionally, this project will assemble a set of well-organized teaching and mentoring activities to promote research experiences for undergraduates and create a more diverse and inclusive educational environment.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.