摘要：

在众多科学领域的研究与开发中，模拟器都扮演着不可替代的角色。在体系结构领域尤其如此，模拟器提供了一个安全、成本低廉的虚拟环境，使研究人员能够快速开展实验分析和评测。同时，模拟器还可以加速芯片设计和验证的过程，从而节省时间和资源成本。然而，随着处理器体系结构的演化进步，尤其是专用处理器发展呈现多元化特点，为了能够对体系结构设计探索提供重要的反馈，模拟器的重要作用日益凸显。综述了体系结构模拟器目前的发展与应用现状，重点介绍了几种目前较为典型的体系结构模拟器。通过对专用于不同处理器的模拟器技术手段的分析，深入了解不同架构下模拟器的侧重点及技术难点。此外，还对体系结构模拟器未来发展的关键点进行了思考与评述，以展望其在处理器设计研究领域的前景。

关键词: 模拟器, 体系结构, 处理器, 芯片设计反馈, 虚拟化

Abstract:

Simulators play an indispensable role in an array of scientific fields involving research and development. Particularly in architectural design, simulators provide a secure and cost-effective virtual environment, enabling researchers to conduct rapid experimental analyses and evaluations. Simultaneously, simulators facilitate the acceleration of the chip design and verification processes, thereby conserving time and reducing resource expenditure. However, with the evolutionary advances in processor architectural designs—specifically, the flourishing diversifications featured in dedicated processors—the key role played by simulators in providing substantial feedback for architectural design exploration has gained prominence. This discourse provides an overview of the current developments and applications of architectural simulators, accentuating a few illustrative examples. Analyzing the techniques employed by simulators dedicated to various processors allows for a deeper understanding of the focal points and technical complexities under different architectures. Moreover, this discourse deliberates speculative assessments and critiques of vital aspects of future architectural simulator developments, aspiring to forecast their prospects in the field of processor design research.

Key words: simulator, architecture, processor, chip design feedback, virtualization