ACE's CoSy compiler framework outperforms LLVM for the ARM9 processor

Superior CoSy performance with off-the-shelf configuration

Amsterdam, July 12, 2012. ACE Associated Compiler Experts bv has announced that the 2012 CoSy® compiler development system delivers better performance than the latest LLVM 3.0 compiler on the ubiquitous ARM9 processor.

The 2012 version of the advanced CoSy compiler framework has unleashed more than 15% extra performance from the ARM9 processor in the industry-standard Livermore benchmark loops and 25% in MiBench against LLVM 3.0. Using the same base configuration the CoSy compiler framework is more than 7% ahead of LLVM on the EEMBC® CoreMark™ benchmark. The off-the-shelf CoSy performance is above LLVM across the board on many industry-standard benchmarks with an out-of-the-box configuration.

The reason for these high performance results is due to the use of CoSy's unique flexible phase ordering of cutting-edge code optimizations and the addition of new CoSy features. Compile-time code generator feedback injected into optimization algorithms augments realistic and accurate decision making in architecture-independent optimizations. The ARM9 processor performance benefits from CoSy's efficient high-level predicated execution support that uses basic block annotation at the Intermediate Representation level.

According to ACE's CEO Martijn de Lange: "Performance benchmarking is an important part of our QA/QC procedures. We use over one hundred benchmark codes to constantly monitor CoSy compiler performance for a range of targets. What is striking about these results is that we can achieve them out-of-the-CoSy-box for standard architectures such as ARM. Already for years, CoSy truly excels in the support of non-standard architectures that heavily tax the flexibility of the compiler development platform. These comparative results confirm that CoSy's performance is also superior for more regular commodity architectures."

ACE's focus is not solely competitive out-of-the-box performance but also validating compilers. ACE develops its SuperTest compiler test and validation suite technology to provide confidence with testing language conformance, correctness, robustness and quality of compilers.

About ACE

ACE Associated Compiler Experts bv (a wholly owned subsidiary of ACE Associated Computer Experts bv, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) is world leader in tools and services for professional compiler development.

ACE’s CoSy® compiler development system and its derivative CoSy Express™, give compiler developers the ability to achieve a leading edge position in the construction of better and faster optimizing compilers for a broad range of architectures and programming languages.

SuperTest™ is the most comprehensive test and validation suite for compilers. Based upon 35+ years of ACE experience in compiler construction and validation, SuperTest provides a unique level of compiler test coverage and will find difficult problem cases in a compiler. SuperTest starts where other suites end.

More information on ACE and its products and services is available at www.ace.nl.