Evaluating GPP Predictors for Software Based Waveform Performance

Abstract

Making full use of a computer’s capabilities today is a challenging task due to increased hardware and software complexity, requiring the use of multithreading, SIMD intrinsics, and overclocking to squeeze as much performance out of a system as possible. A challenge is predicting how a software-based waveforms will perform based on published benchmarks on a general purpose processor (GPP) of interest and where the key limiters exist. This is valuable insight to determine implementation and optimization strategies for software-based waveforms. This paper attempts to identify key indicators of modern GPP performance for usage with waveform software, using LDPC and DVB-S2 waveform benchmarks on two consumer grade desktops. We find a correlation in software performance between GPP or memory reliance and GPP clock speed and cache, as well as the importance of system tuning and overclocking.