Compilers, architectures and synthesis for embedded computing: retrospect and prospect

I am humbled and honored to be included in the ranks of my many distinguished predecessors who have been recognized with the W. Wallace McDowell Award. Beyond the personal dimension, it is especially satisfying to see the field of embedded computing being recognized through this award. Over the past fifteen years or so, the synergy of computer science and engineering, and electrical engineering principles, have led to major advances in this field. While embedded computing might be largely viewed as being based on electrical engineering innovation, I want to draw attention to the importance of computer science principles and practice, and their influence on the recent developments in this field. Notably, algorithms guided by complexity theory have provided an important basis at the foundational level. In particular, the judicious use of algorithms within the framework of compiler optimizations, have played a central role. Finally and perhaps most significantly, the notion of an instruction set architecture or isa, has provided a significant lens through which some of the interesting challenges in embedded computing have been tackled. With this as a backdrop, I will