Extending the applicability of scalar replacement to multiple induction variables

Scalar replacement or register promotion uses scalar variables to save data that can be reused across loop iterations, leading to a reduction of the number of memory operations at the expense of a possibly large number of registers. In this paper we present a compiler data reuse analysis capable of uncovering and exploiting reuse opportunities for array references that exhibit Multiple-Induction-Variable (MIV) subscripts, beyond the reach of current data reuse analysis techniques. We present experimental results of the application of scalar replacement to a sample set of kernel codes targeting a programmable hardware computing device — a Field-Programmable-Gate-Array (FPGA). The results show that, for memory bound designs, scalar replacement alone leads to speedups that range between 2x to 6x at the expense of an increase in the FPGA design area in the range of 6x to 20x.