This paper compares the trace-sampling techniques of set sampling and time sampling. Using the multi-billion-reference traces of Borg et al., we apply both techniques to multi-megabyte caches, where sampling is most valuable. We evaluate whether either technique meets a 10% sampling goal: a method meets this goal if, at least 90% of the time, it estimates the trace's true misses per instruction with ≤ 10% relative error using ≤ 10% of the trace. Results for these traces and caches show that set sampling meets the 10% sampling goal, while time sampling does not. We also find that cold-start bias in time samples is most effectively reduced by the technique of Wood et al. Nevertheless, overcoming cold-start bias requires tens of millions of consecutive references.
Kessler et al. REF compared set sampling and time sampling in trace-driven simulation and showed that set sampling has better precision than time sampling.
A Comparison of Trace-Sampling Techniques for Multi-Megabyte Caches
IEEE Trans. Computers
Computer Science