Facilitating the Bootstrapping of a New Instruction Set Architecture

Explore a 20-minute conference talk from LCTES 2023 that delves into the challenges and solutions for implementing new instruction set architectures (ISAs) in embedded systems. Learn about the tools and verification mechanisms developed to support multiple related but distinct ISAs. Discover how a step-by-step semi-automated approach using simple invariants can effectively bootstrap complete system software and simulator infrastructure. Gain insights into modifying compilers, assemblers, linkers, and simulators for new ISAs, as well as techniques for isolating errors in these heavily modified software components. Understand the importance of automated and semi-automated mechanisms in verifying the compilation and simulation infrastructure during the bootstrapping process.