ATMI : Analytical Model of Temperature in Microprocessors

As microprocessors become increasingly thermally constrained, microarchitecture and operating-system research will require temperature models that are reliable, fast, and easy to use. This goal is difficult to achieve with generalpurpose tools like those based on finite elements. We have developed a computationally efficient temperature model, called ATMI, using analytical methods. ATMI is specialized and is based on some idealizations of the microprocessor chip and its packaging. The computation speed and ease of use of ATMI make it appropriate for research. This paper presents the ATMI model, gives an overview of its software implementation, and provides some example applications.