Multiple-bus multiprocessor under unbalanced traffic

Performance evaluation of multiple-bus multiprocessor systems is usually ca rried out under the assumption of uniform memory reference model. Hot spots arising in multiprocessor systems due to the use of shared variables, sync hronization primitives, etc. give rise to non-uniform memory reference patt ern. The objective of this paper is to study the performance of multiple bu s multiprocessor system in the presence of hot spots. Analytical expression s for the average memory bandwidth and probability of acceptance of priorit ized processors have been derived. Two new phenomenon, coined as bumping an d knee effect, have been observed in the acceptance probabilities of the pr ocessors. The results are validated by simulation results, (C) 1999 Elsevie r Science Ltd, All rights reserved.