ruby: enable multiple clock domains

This patch allows ruby to have multiple clock domains. As I understand
with this patch, controllers can have different frequencies. The entire
network needs to run at a single frequency.

The idea is that with in an object, time is treated in terms of cycles.
But the messages that are passed from one entity to another should contain
the time in Ticks. As of now, this is only true for the message buffers,
but not for the links in the network. As I understand the code, all the
entities in different networks (simple, garnet-fixed, garnet-flexible) should
be clocked at the same frequency.

Another problem is that the directory controller has to operate at the same
frequency as the ruby system. This is because the memory controller does
not make use of the Message Buffer, and instead implements a buffer of its
own. So, it has no idea of the frequency at which the directory controller
is operating and uses ruby system's frequency for scheduling events.

23 files changed, 145 insertions, 150 deletions

diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/buffers/MessageBuffer.cc b/src/mem/ruby/buffers/MessageBuffer.cc
index c9b255c02..92c989851 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/buffers/MessageBuffer.cc
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/buffers/MessageBuffer.cc
@@ -44,7 +44,8 @@ MessageBuffer::MessageBuffer(const string &name)
 {
     m_msg_counter = 0;
     m_consumer_ptr = NULL;
-    m_clockobj_ptr = NULL;
+    m_sender_ptr = NULL;
+    m_receiver_ptr = NULL;
 
     m_ordering_set = false;
     m_strict_fifo = true;
@@ -66,10 +67,10 @@ MessageBuffer::MessageBuffer(const string &name)
 int
 MessageBuffer::getSize()
 {
-    if (m_time_last_time_size_checked == m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle()) {
+    if (m_time_last_time_size_checked == m_receiver_ptr->curCycle()) {
         return m_size_last_time_size_checked;
     } else {
-        m_time_last_time_size_checked = m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle();
+        m_time_last_time_size_checked = m_receiver_ptr->curCycle();
         m_size_last_time_size_checked = m_size;
         return m_size;
     }
@@ -89,11 +90,11 @@ MessageBuffer::areNSlotsAvailable(int n)
     // until next cycle, but enqueue operations effect the visible
     // size immediately
     int current_size = max(m_size_at_cycle_start, m_size);
-    if (m_time_last_time_pop < m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle()) {
+    if (m_time_last_time_pop < m_receiver_ptr->curCycle()) {
         // no pops this cycle - m_size is correct
         current_size = m_size;
     } else {
-        if (m_time_last_time_enqueue < m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle()) {
+        if (m_time_last_time_enqueue < m_receiver_ptr->curCycle()) {
             // no enqueues this cycle - m_size_at_cycle_start is correct
             current_size = m_size_at_cycle_start;
         } else {
@@ -149,15 +150,15 @@ random_time()
 }
 
 void
-MessageBuffer::enqueue(MsgPtr message, Cycles delta)
+MessageBuffer::enqueue(MsgPtr message, Cycles delay)
 {
     m_msg_counter++;
     m_size++;
 
     // record current time incase we have a pop that also adjusts my size
-    if (m_time_last_time_enqueue < m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle()) {
+    if (m_time_last_time_enqueue < m_receiver_ptr->curCycle()) {
         m_msgs_this_cycle = 0;  // first msg this cycle
-        m_time_last_time_enqueue = m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle();
+        m_time_last_time_enqueue = m_receiver_ptr->curCycle();
     }
     m_msgs_this_cycle++;
 
@@ -167,8 +168,11 @@ MessageBuffer::enqueue(MsgPtr message, Cycles delta)
 
     // Calculate the arrival time of the message, that is, the first
     // cycle the message can be dequeued.
-    assert(delta>0);
-    Cycles current_time(m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle());
+    assert(delay > 0);
+    Cycles delta = m_receiver_ptr->ticksToCycles(delay *
+                                                 m_sender_ptr->clockPeriod());
+
+    Cycles current_time(m_receiver_ptr->curCycle());
     Cycles arrival_time(0);
 
     if (!RubySystem::getRandomization() || (m_randomization == false)) {
@@ -192,10 +196,10 @@ MessageBuffer::enqueue(MsgPtr message, Cycles delta)
         if (arrival_time < m_last_arrival_time) {
             panic("FIFO ordering violated: %s name: %s current time: %d "
                   "delta: %d arrival_time: %d last arrival_time: %d\n",
-                  *this, m_name, current_time * m_clockobj_ptr->clockPeriod(),
-                  delta * m_clockobj_ptr->clockPeriod(),
-                  arrival_time * m_clockobj_ptr->clockPeriod(),
-                  m_last_arrival_time * m_clockobj_ptr->clockPeriod());
+                  *this, m_name, current_time * m_receiver_ptr->clockPeriod(),
+                  delta * m_receiver_ptr->clockPeriod(),
+                  arrival_time * m_receiver_ptr->clockPeriod(),
+                  m_last_arrival_time * m_receiver_ptr->clockPeriod());
         }
     }
 
@@ -208,13 +212,13 @@ MessageBuffer::enqueue(MsgPtr message, Cycles delta)
     Message* msg_ptr = message.get();
     assert(msg_ptr != NULL);
 
-    assert(m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle() >= msg_ptr->getLastEnqueueTime() &&
+    assert(m_receiver_ptr->clockEdge() >= msg_ptr->getLastEnqueueTime() &&
            "ensure we aren't dequeued early");
 
-    msg_ptr->setDelayedCycles(m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle() -
+    msg_ptr->setDelayedTicks(m_receiver_ptr->clockEdge() -
                               msg_ptr->getLastEnqueueTime() +
-                              msg_ptr->getDelayedCycles());
-    msg_ptr->setLastEnqueueTime(arrival_time);
+                              msg_ptr->getDelayedTicks());
+    msg_ptr->setLastEnqueueTime(arrival_time * m_receiver_ptr->clockPeriod());
 
     // Insert the message into the priority heap
     MessageBufferNode thisNode(arrival_time, m_msg_counter, message);
@@ -223,7 +227,7 @@ MessageBuffer::enqueue(MsgPtr message, Cycles delta)
         greater<MessageBufferNode>());
 
     DPRINTF(RubyQueue, "Enqueue arrival_time: %lld, Message: %s\n",
-            arrival_time * m_clockobj_ptr->clockPeriod(), *(message.get()));
+            arrival_time * m_receiver_ptr->clockPeriod(), *(message.get()));
 
     // Schedule the wakeup
     if (m_consumer_ptr != NULL) {
@@ -275,9 +279,9 @@ MessageBuffer::pop()
 
     // record previous size and time so the current buffer size isn't
     // adjusted until next cycle
-    if (m_time_last_time_pop < m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle()) {
+    if (m_time_last_time_pop < m_receiver_ptr->curCycle()) {
         m_size_at_cycle_start = m_size;
-        m_time_last_time_pop = m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle();
+        m_time_last_time_pop = m_receiver_ptr->curCycle();
     }
     m_size--;
 }
@@ -304,11 +308,11 @@ MessageBuffer::recycle()
     pop_heap(m_prio_heap.begin(), m_prio_heap.end(),
         greater<MessageBufferNode>());
 
-    node.m_time = m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle() + m_recycle_latency;
+    node.m_time = m_receiver_ptr->curCycle() + m_recycle_latency;
     m_prio_heap.back() = node;
     push_heap(m_prio_heap.begin(), m_prio_heap.end(),
         greater<MessageBufferNode>());
-    m_consumer_ptr->scheduleEventAbsolute(m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle() +
+    m_consumer_ptr->scheduleEventAbsolute(m_receiver_ptr->curCycle() +
                                           m_recycle_latency);
 }
 
@@ -317,7 +321,7 @@ MessageBuffer::reanalyzeMessages(const Address& addr)
 {
     DPRINTF(RubyQueue, "ReanalyzeMessages\n");
     assert(m_stall_msg_map.count(addr) > 0);
-    Cycles nextCycle = m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle() + Cycles(1);
+    Cycles nextCycle = m_receiver_ptr->curCycle() + Cycles(1);
 
     //
     // Put all stalled messages associated with this address back on the
@@ -342,7 +346,7 @@ void
 MessageBuffer::reanalyzeAllMessages()
 {
     DPRINTF(RubyQueue, "ReanalyzeAllMessages %s\n");
-    Cycles nextCycle = m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle() + Cycles(1);
+    Cycles nextCycle = m_receiver_ptr->curCycle() + Cycles(1);
 
     //
     // Put all stalled messages associated with this address back on the
@@ -393,12 +397,13 @@ MessageBuffer::setAndReturnDelayCycles(MsgPtr msg_ptr)
 
     // this function should only be called on dequeue
     // ensure the msg hasn't been enqueued
-    assert(msg_ptr->getLastEnqueueTime() <= m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle());
-    msg_ptr->setDelayedCycles(m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle() -
-                             msg_ptr->getLastEnqueueTime() +
-                             msg_ptr->getDelayedCycles());
+    assert(msg_ptr->getLastEnqueueTime() <= m_receiver_ptr->clockEdge());
+
+    msg_ptr->setDelayedTicks(m_receiver_ptr->clockEdge() -
+                              msg_ptr->getLastEnqueueTime() +
+                              msg_ptr->getDelayedTicks());
 
-    return msg_ptr->getDelayedCycles();
+    return m_receiver_ptr->ticksToCycles(msg_ptr->getDelayedTicks());
 }
 
 void
@@ -425,7 +430,7 @@ bool
 MessageBuffer::isReady() const
 {
     return ((m_prio_heap.size() > 0) &&
-            (m_prio_heap.front().m_time <= m_clockobj_ptr->curCycle()));
+            (m_prio_heap.front().m_time <= m_receiver_ptr->curCycle()));
 }
 
 bool
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/buffers/MessageBuffer.hh b/src/mem/ruby/buffers/MessageBuffer.hh
index e68a05786..74023a8ac 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/buffers/MessageBuffer.hh
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/buffers/MessageBuffer.hh
@@ -83,10 +83,16 @@ class MessageBuffer
         m_consumer_ptr = consumer_ptr;
     }
 
-    void setClockObj(ClockedObject* obj)
+    void setSender(ClockedObject* obj)
     {
-        assert(m_clockobj_ptr == NULL);
-        m_clockobj_ptr = obj;
+        assert(m_sender_ptr == NULL || m_sender_ptr == obj);
+        m_sender_ptr = obj;
+    }
+
+    void setReceiver(ClockedObject* obj)
+    {
+        assert(m_receiver_ptr == NULL || m_receiver_ptr == obj);
+        m_receiver_ptr = obj;
     }
 
     void setDescription(const std::string& name) { m_name = name; }
@@ -167,8 +173,10 @@ class MessageBuffer
     MessageBuffer& operator=(const MessageBuffer& obj);
 
     // Data Members (m_ prefix)
-    //! Object used for querying time.
-    ClockedObject* m_clockobj_ptr;
+    //! The two ends of the buffer.
+    ClockedObject* m_sender_ptr;
+    ClockedObject* m_receiver_ptr;
+
     //! Consumer to signal a wakeup(), can be NULL
     Consumer* m_consumer_ptr;
     std::vector<MessageBufferNode> m_prio_heap;
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/network/garnet/fixed-pipeline/NetworkInterface_d.cc b/src/mem/ruby/network/garnet/fixed-pipeline/NetworkInterface_d.cc
index 3d915598e..ca4d6aabe 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/network/garnet/fixed-pipeline/NetworkInterface_d.cc
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/network/garnet/fixed-pipeline/NetworkInterface_d.cc
@@ -116,7 +116,9 @@ NetworkInterface_d::addNode(vector<MessageBuffer *>& in,
 
         // the protocol injects messages into the NI
         inNode_ptr[j]->setConsumer(this);
-        inNode_ptr[j]->setClockObj(m_net_ptr);
+        inNode_ptr[j]->setReceiver(m_net_ptr);
+
+        outNode_ptr[j]->setSender(m_net_ptr);
     }
 }
 
@@ -173,7 +175,8 @@ NetworkInterface_d::flitisizeMessage(MsgPtr msg_ptr, int vnet)
             flit_d *fl = new flit_d(i, vc, vnet, num_flits, new_msg_ptr,
                 m_net_ptr->curCycle());
 
-            fl->set_delay(m_net_ptr->curCycle() - msg_ptr->getTime());
+            fl->set_delay(m_net_ptr->curCycle() -
+                          m_net_ptr->ticksToCycles(msg_ptr->getTime()));
             m_ni_buffers[vc]->insert(fl);
         }
 
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/network/garnet/flexible-pipeline/NetworkInterface.cc b/src/mem/ruby/network/garnet/flexible-pipeline/NetworkInterface.cc
index ddb5da716..79e295601 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/network/garnet/flexible-pipeline/NetworkInterface.cc
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/network/garnet/flexible-pipeline/NetworkInterface.cc
@@ -106,7 +106,9 @@ NetworkInterface::addNode(vector<MessageBuffer*>& in,
     // protocol injects messages into the NI
     for (int j = 0; j < m_virtual_networks; j++) {
         inNode_ptr[j]->setConsumer(this);
-        inNode_ptr[j]->setClockObj(m_net_ptr);
+        inNode_ptr[j]->setReceiver(m_net_ptr);
+
+        outNode_ptr[j]->setSender(m_net_ptr);
     }
 }
 
@@ -169,7 +171,8 @@ NetworkInterface::flitisizeMessage(MsgPtr msg_ptr, int vnet)
             m_net_ptr->increment_injected_flits(vnet);
             flit *fl = new flit(i, vc, vnet, num_flits, new_msg_ptr,
                                 m_net_ptr->curCycle());
-            fl->set_delay(m_net_ptr->curCycle() - msg_ptr->getTime());
+            fl->set_delay(m_net_ptr->curCycle() -
+                          m_net_ptr->ticksToCycles(msg_ptr->getTime()));
             m_ni_buffers[vc]->insert(fl);
         }
 
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/PerfectSwitch.cc b/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/PerfectSwitch.cc
index 687bdbd86..ecfe12f15 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/PerfectSwitch.cc
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/PerfectSwitch.cc
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ PerfectSwitch::init(SimpleNetwork *network_ptr)
 }
 
 void
-PerfectSwitch::addInPort(const vector<MessageBuffer*>& in, Switch *sw)
+PerfectSwitch::addInPort(const vector<MessageBuffer*>& in)
 {
     assert(in.size() == m_virtual_networks);
     NodeID port = m_in.size();
@@ -76,7 +76,6 @@ PerfectSwitch::addInPort(const vector<MessageBuffer*>& in, Switch *sw)
 
     for (int j = 0; j < m_virtual_networks; j++) {
         m_in[port][j]->setConsumer(this);
-        m_in[port][j]->setClockObj(sw);
 
         string desc = csprintf("[Queue from port %s %s %s to PerfectSwitch]",
             to_string(m_switch_id), to_string(port), to_string(j));
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/PerfectSwitch.hh b/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/PerfectSwitch.hh
index ffd1f84ba..695c848bc 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/PerfectSwitch.hh
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/PerfectSwitch.hh
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class PerfectSwitch : public Consumer
     { return csprintf("PerfectSwitch-%i", m_switch_id); }
 
     void init(SimpleNetwork *);
-    void addInPort(const std::vector<MessageBuffer*>& in, Switch *);
+    void addInPort(const std::vector<MessageBuffer*>& in);
     void addOutPort(const std::vector<MessageBuffer*>& out,
         const NetDest& routing_table_entry);
     void clearRoutingTables();
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/Switch.cc b/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/Switch.cc
index 76d37c321..d951ea38d 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/Switch.cc
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/Switch.cc
@@ -67,7 +67,11 @@ Switch::init()
 void
 Switch::addInPort(const vector<MessageBuffer*>& in)
 {
-    m_perfect_switch_ptr->addInPort(in, this);
+    m_perfect_switch_ptr->addInPort(in);
+
+    for (int i = 0; i < in.size(); i++) {
+        in[i]->setReceiver(this);
+    }
 }
 
 void
@@ -83,21 +87,27 @@ Switch::addOutPort(const vector<MessageBuffer*>& out,
     // Create one buffer per vnet (these are intermediaryQueues)
     vector<MessageBuffer*> intermediateBuffers;
     for (int i = 0; i < out.size(); i++) {
+        out[i]->setSender(this);
+
         MessageBuffer* buffer_ptr = new MessageBuffer;
         // Make these queues ordered
         buffer_ptr->setOrdering(true);
         if (m_network_ptr->getBufferSize() > 0) {
             buffer_ptr->resize(m_network_ptr->getBufferSize());
         }
+
         intermediateBuffers.push_back(buffer_ptr);
         m_buffers_to_free.push_back(buffer_ptr);
+
+        buffer_ptr->setSender(this);
+        buffer_ptr->setReceiver(this);
     }
 
     // Hook the queues to the PerfectSwitch
     m_perfect_switch_ptr->addOutPort(intermediateBuffers, routing_table_entry);
 
     // Hook the queues to the Throttle
-    throttle_ptr->addLinks(intermediateBuffers, out, this);
+    throttle_ptr->addLinks(intermediateBuffers, out);
 }
 
 void
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/Throttle.cc b/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/Throttle.cc
index bb5d9cf53..88abe4167 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/Throttle.cc
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/Throttle.cc
@@ -93,11 +93,11 @@ Throttle::clear()
 
 void
 Throttle::addLinks(const std::vector<MessageBuffer*>& in_vec,
-    const std::vector<MessageBuffer*>& out_vec, ClockedObject *em)
+    const std::vector<MessageBuffer*>& out_vec)
 {
     assert(in_vec.size() == out_vec.size());
     for (int i=0; i<in_vec.size(); i++) {
-        addVirtualNetwork(in_vec[i], out_vec[i], em);
+        addVirtualNetwork(in_vec[i], out_vec[i]);
     }
 
     m_message_counters.resize(MessageSizeType_NUM);
@@ -110,8 +110,7 @@ Throttle::addLinks(const std::vector<MessageBuffer*>& in_vec,
 }
 
 void
-Throttle::addVirtualNetwork(MessageBuffer* in_ptr, MessageBuffer* out_ptr,
-                            ClockedObject *em)
+Throttle::addVirtualNetwork(MessageBuffer* in_ptr, MessageBuffer* out_ptr)
 {
     m_units_remaining.push_back(0);
     m_in.push_back(in_ptr);
@@ -119,7 +118,6 @@ Throttle::addVirtualNetwork(MessageBuffer* in_ptr, MessageBuffer* out_ptr,
 
     // Set consumer and description
     m_in[m_vnets]->setConsumer(this);
-    m_in[m_vnets]->setClockObj(em);
 
     string desc = "[Queue to Throttle " + to_string(m_sID) + " " +
         to_string(m_node) + "]";
@@ -174,7 +172,7 @@ Throttle::wakeup()
                 DPRINTF(RubyNetwork, "throttle: %d my bw %d bw spent "
                         "enqueueing net msg %d time: %lld.\n",
                         m_node, getLinkBandwidth(), m_units_remaining[vnet],
-                        g_system_ptr->getTime());
+                        g_system_ptr->curCycle());
 
                 // Move the message
                 m_out[vnet]->enqueue(m_in[vnet]->peekMsgPtr(), m_link_latency);
@@ -235,7 +233,7 @@ Throttle::printStats(ostream& out) const
 void
 Throttle::clearStats()
 {
-    m_ruby_start = g_system_ptr->getTime();
+    m_ruby_start = g_system_ptr->curCycle();
     m_links_utilized = 0.0;
 
     for (int i = 0; i < m_message_counters.size(); i++) {
@@ -249,7 +247,7 @@ double
 Throttle::getUtilization() const
 {
     return 100.0 * double(m_links_utilized) /
-        double(g_system_ptr->getTime()-m_ruby_start);
+        double(g_system_ptr->curCycle()-m_ruby_start);
 }
 
 void
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/Throttle.hh b/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/Throttle.hh
index 4a84227fb..2ca474f41 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/Throttle.hh
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/network/simple/Throttle.hh
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class Throttle : public Consumer
     { return csprintf("Throttle-%i", m_sID); }
 
     void addLinks(const std::vector<MessageBuffer*>& in_vec,
-        const std::vector<MessageBuffer*>& out_vec, ClockedObject *em);
+        const std::vector<MessageBuffer*>& out_vec);
     void wakeup();
 
     void printStats(std::ostream& out) const;
@@ -87,8 +87,7 @@ class Throttle : public Consumer
   private:
     void init(NodeID node, Cycles link_latency, int link_bandwidth_multiplier,
               int endpoint_bandwidth);
-    void addVirtualNetwork(MessageBuffer* in_ptr, MessageBuffer* out_ptr,
-        ClockedObject *em);
+    void addVirtualNetwork(MessageBuffer* in_ptr, MessageBuffer* out_ptr);
     void linkUtilized(double ratio) { m_links_utilized += ratio; }
 
     // Private copy constructor and assignment operator
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/profiler/Profiler.cc b/src/mem/ruby/profiler/Profiler.cc
index e15285784..e78e7ede5 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/profiler/Profiler.cc
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/profiler/Profiler.cc
@@ -113,13 +113,13 @@ Profiler::wakeup()
 
     for (int i = 0; i < m_num_of_sequencers; i++) {
         perProcCycleCount[i] =
-            g_system_ptr->getTime() - m_cycles_executed_at_start[i] + 1;
+            g_system_ptr->curCycle() - m_cycles_executed_at_start[i] + 1;
         // The +1 allows us to avoid division by zero
     }
 
     ostream &out = *m_periodic_output_file_ptr;
 
-    out << "ruby_cycles: " << g_system_ptr->getTime()-m_ruby_start << endl
+    out << "ruby_cycles: " << g_system_ptr->curCycle()-m_ruby_start << endl
         << "mbytes_resident: " << process_memory_resident() << endl
         << "mbytes_total: " << process_memory_total() << endl;
 
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ Profiler::printStats(ostream& out, bool short_stats)
     double minutes = seconds / 60.0;
     double hours = minutes / 60.0;
     double days = hours / 24.0;
-    Cycles ruby_cycles = g_system_ptr->getTime()-m_ruby_start;
+    Cycles ruby_cycles = g_system_ptr->curCycle()-m_ruby_start;
 
     if (!short_stats) {
         out << "Elapsed_time_in_seconds: " << seconds << endl;
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ Profiler::printStats(ostream& out, bool short_stats)
     out << "Virtual_time_in_days:    " << days << endl;
     out << endl;
 
-    out << "Ruby_current_time: " << g_system_ptr->getTime() << endl;
+    out << "Ruby_current_time: " << g_system_ptr->curCycle() << endl;
     out << "Ruby_start_time: " << m_ruby_start << endl;
     out << "Ruby_cycles: " << ruby_cycles << endl;
     out << endl;
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ Profiler::printStats(ostream& out, bool short_stats)
 
     for (int i = 0; i < m_num_of_sequencers; i++) {
         perProcCycleCount[i] =
-            g_system_ptr->getTime() - m_cycles_executed_at_start[i] + 1;
+            g_system_ptr->curCycle() - m_cycles_executed_at_start[i] + 1;
         // The +1 allows us to avoid division by zero
     }
 
@@ -497,7 +497,7 @@ Profiler::printResourceUsage(ostream& out) const
 void
 Profiler::clearStats()
 {
-    m_ruby_start = g_system_ptr->getTime();
+    m_ruby_start = g_system_ptr->curCycle();
     m_real_time_start_time = time(NULL);
 
     m_cycles_executed_at_start.resize(m_num_of_sequencers);
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ Profiler::clearStats()
         if (g_system_ptr == NULL) {
             m_cycles_executed_at_start[i] = 0;
         } else {
-            m_cycles_executed_at_start[i] = g_system_ptr->getTime();
+            m_cycles_executed_at_start[i] = g_system_ptr->curCycle();
         }
     }
 
@@ -563,7 +563,7 @@ Profiler::clearStats()
     //g_eventQueue_ptr->triggerAllEvents();
 
     // update the start time
-    m_ruby_start = g_system_ptr->getTime();
+    m_ruby_start = g_system_ptr->curCycle();
 }
 
 void
@@ -734,7 +734,7 @@ Profiler::rubyWatch(int id)
     uint64 tr = 0;
     Address watch_address = Address(tr);
 
-    DPRINTFN("%7s %3s RUBY WATCH %d\n", g_system_ptr->getTime(), id,
+    DPRINTFN("%7s %3s RUBY WATCH %d\n", g_system_ptr->curCycle(), id,
         watch_address);
 
     // don't care about success or failure
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/slicc_interface/Message.hh b/src/mem/ruby/slicc_interface/Message.hh
index c99d66f5c..e78ad9a76 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/slicc_interface/Message.hh
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/slicc_interface/Message.hh
@@ -40,16 +40,16 @@ typedef RefCountingPtr<Message> MsgPtr;
 class Message : public RefCounted
 {
   public:
-    Message(Cycles curTime)
+    Message(Tick curTime)
         : m_time(curTime),
           m_LastEnqueueTime(curTime),
-          m_DelayedCycles(0)
+          m_DelayedTicks(0)
     { }
 
     Message(const Message &other)
         : m_time(other.m_time),
           m_LastEnqueueTime(other.m_LastEnqueueTime),
-          m_DelayedCycles(other.m_DelayedCycles)
+          m_DelayedTicks(other.m_DelayedTicks)
     { }
 
     virtual ~Message() { }
@@ -71,19 +71,19 @@ class Message : public RefCounted
     virtual bool functionalWrite(Packet *pkt) = 0;
     //{ fatal("Write functional access not implemented!"); }
 
-    void setDelayedCycles(const Cycles cycles) { m_DelayedCycles = cycles; }
-    const Cycles getDelayedCycles() const {return m_DelayedCycles;}
+    void setDelayedTicks(const Tick ticks) { m_DelayedTicks = ticks; }
+    const Tick getDelayedTicks() const {return m_DelayedTicks;}
 
-    void setLastEnqueueTime(const Cycles& time) { m_LastEnqueueTime = time; }
-    const Cycles getLastEnqueueTime() const {return m_LastEnqueueTime;}
+    void setLastEnqueueTime(const Tick& time) { m_LastEnqueueTime = time; }
+    const Tick getLastEnqueueTime() const {return m_LastEnqueueTime;}
 
-    const Cycles& getTime() const { return m_time; }
-    void setTime(const Cycles& new_time) { m_time = new_time; }
+    const Tick& getTime() const { return m_time; }
+    void setTime(const Tick& new_time) { m_time = new_time; }
 
   private:
-    Cycles m_time;
-    Cycles m_LastEnqueueTime; // my last enqueue time
-    Cycles m_DelayedCycles; // my delayed cycles
+    Tick m_time;
+    Tick m_LastEnqueueTime; // my last enqueue time
+    Tick m_DelayedTicks; // my delayed cycles
 };
 
 inline std::ostream&
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/slicc_interface/NetworkMessage.hh b/src/mem/ruby/slicc_interface/NetworkMessage.hh
index 4d2968f41..3ee13a44a 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/slicc_interface/NetworkMessage.hh
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/slicc_interface/NetworkMessage.hh
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ typedef RefCountingPtr<NetworkMessage> NetMsgPtr;
 class NetworkMessage : public Message
 {
   public:
-    NetworkMessage(Cycles curTime)
+    NetworkMessage(Tick curTime)
         : Message(curTime), m_internal_dest_valid(false)
     { }
 
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/slicc_interface/RubyRequest.hh b/src/mem/ruby/slicc_interface/RubyRequest.hh
index 654656132..49964ebb9 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/slicc_interface/RubyRequest.hh
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/slicc_interface/RubyRequest.hh
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class RubyRequest : public Message
     PacketPtr pkt;
     unsigned m_contextId;
 
-    RubyRequest(Cycles curTime, uint64_t _paddr, uint8_t* _data, int _len,
+    RubyRequest(Tick curTime, uint64_t _paddr, uint8_t* _data, int _len,
         uint64_t _pc, RubyRequestType _type, RubyAccessMode _access_mode,
         PacketPtr _pkt, PrefetchBit _pb = PrefetchBit_No,
         unsigned _proc_id = 100)
@@ -70,60 +70,18 @@ class RubyRequest : public Message
       m_LineAddress.makeLineAddress();
     }
 
-    RubyRequest(Cycles curTime) : Message(curTime)
-    {
-    }
-
-    RubyRequest*
-    clone() const
-    {
-        return new RubyRequest(*this);
-    }
-
-    const Address&
-    getLineAddress() const
-    {
-        return m_LineAddress;
-    }
-
-    const Address&
-    getPhysicalAddress() const
-    {
-        return m_PhysicalAddress;
-    }
-
-    const RubyRequestType&
-    getType() const
-    {
-        return m_Type;
-    }
+    RubyRequest(Tick curTime) : Message(curTime) {}
+    RubyRequest* clone() const { return new RubyRequest(*this); }
 
-    const Address&
-    getProgramCounter() const
-    {
-        return m_ProgramCounter;
-    }
-
-    const RubyAccessMode&
-    getAccessMode() const
-    {
-      return m_AccessMode;
-    }
-
-    const int&
-    getSize() const
-    {
-      return m_Size;
-    }
-
-    const PrefetchBit&
-    getPrefetch() const
-    {
-      return m_Prefetch;
-    }
+    const Address& getLineAddress() const { return m_LineAddress; }
+    const Address& getPhysicalAddress() const { return m_PhysicalAddress; }
+    const RubyRequestType& getType() const { return m_Type; }
+    const Address& getProgramCounter() const { return m_ProgramCounter; }
+    const RubyAccessMode& getAccessMode() const { return m_AccessMode; }
+    const int& getSize() const { return m_Size; }
+    const PrefetchBit& getPrefetch() const { return m_Prefetch; }
 
     void print(std::ostream& out) const;
-
     bool functionalRead(Packet *pkt);
     bool functionalWrite(Packet *pkt);
 };
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/system/DMASequencer.cc b/src/mem/ruby/system/DMASequencer.cc
index fe9ab39be..37df1c653 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/system/DMASequencer.cc
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/system/DMASequencer.cc
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ DMASequencer::makeRequest(PacketPtr pkt)
     active_request.bytes_issued = 0;
     active_request.pkt = pkt;
 
-    SequencerMsg *msg = new SequencerMsg(curCycle());
+    SequencerMsg *msg = new SequencerMsg(clockEdge());
     msg->getPhysicalAddress() = Address(paddr);
     msg->getLineAddress() = line_address(msg->getPhysicalAddress());
     msg->getType() = write ? SequencerRequestType_ST : SequencerRequestType_LD;
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ DMASequencer::issueNext()
         return;
     }
 
-    SequencerMsg *msg = new SequencerMsg(curCycle());
+    SequencerMsg *msg = new SequencerMsg(clockEdge());
     msg->getPhysicalAddress() = Address(active_request.start_paddr +
                                        active_request.bytes_completed);
 
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/system/RubyMemoryControl.cc b/src/mem/ruby/system/RubyMemoryControl.cc
index 542835102..6212f049c 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/system/RubyMemoryControl.cc
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/system/RubyMemoryControl.cc
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ RubyMemoryControl::~RubyMemoryControl()
 void
 RubyMemoryControl::enqueue(const MsgPtr& message, Cycles latency)
 {
-    Cycles arrival_time = g_system_ptr->getTime() + latency;
+    Cycles arrival_time = curCycle() + latency;
     const MemoryMsg* memMess = safe_cast<const MemoryMsg*>(message.get());
     physical_address_t addr = memMess->getAddress().getAddress();
     MemoryRequestType type = memMess->getType();
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ bool
 RubyMemoryControl::isReady()
 {
     return ((!m_response_queue.empty()) &&
-            (m_response_queue.front().m_time <= g_system_ptr->getTime()));
+            (m_response_queue.front().m_time <= g_system_ptr->curCycle()));
 }
 
 void
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/system/RubyPort.cc b/src/mem/ruby/system/RubyPort.cc
index dd9e9676e..2f1cc622d 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/system/RubyPort.cc
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/system/RubyPort.cc
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ RubyPort::init()
 {
     assert(m_controller != NULL);
     m_mandatory_q_ptr = m_controller->getMandatoryQueue();
+    m_mandatory_q_ptr->setSender(this);
 }
 
 BaseMasterPort &
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/system/RubyPort.hh b/src/mem/ruby/system/RubyPort.hh
index 98bcede44..cec356edb 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/system/RubyPort.hh
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/system/RubyPort.hh
@@ -46,13 +46,13 @@
 #include <string>
 
 #include "mem/protocol/RequestStatus.hh"
+#include "mem/ruby/buffers/MessageBuffer.hh"
 #include "mem/ruby/system/System.hh"
 #include "mem/mem_object.hh"
 #include "mem/physical.hh"
 #include "mem/tport.hh"
 #include "params/RubyPort.hh"
 
-class MessageBuffer;
 class AbstractController;
 
 class RubyPort : public MemObject
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/system/Sequencer.cc b/src/mem/ruby/system/Sequencer.cc
index 94ad42d9d..1cdd6d806 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/system/Sequencer.cc
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/system/Sequencer.cc
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@
 #include "debug/RubyStats.hh"
 #include "mem/protocol/PrefetchBit.hh"
 #include "mem/protocol/RubyAccessMode.hh"
-#include "mem/ruby/buffers/MessageBuffer.hh"
 #include "mem/ruby/common/Global.hh"
 #include "mem/ruby/profiler/Profiler.hh"
 #include "mem/ruby/slicc_interface/RubyRequest.hh"
@@ -657,7 +656,7 @@ Sequencer::issueRequest(PacketPtr pkt, RubyRequestType secondary_type)
         pc = pkt->req->getPC();
     }
 
-    RubyRequest *msg = new RubyRequest(curCycle(), pkt->getAddr(),
+    RubyRequest *msg = new RubyRequest(clockEdge(), pkt->getAddr(),
                                        pkt->getPtr<uint8_t>(true),
                                        pkt->getSize(), pc, secondary_type,
                                        RubyAccessMode_Supervisor, pkt,
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/system/System.hh b/src/mem/ruby/system/System.hh
index f07303cf4..1e0be6da7 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/system/System.hh
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/system/System.hh
@@ -79,7 +79,6 @@ class RubySystem : public ClockedObject
     static uint32_t getBlockSizeBits() { return m_block_size_bits; }
     static uint64_t getMemorySizeBytes() { return m_memory_size_bytes; }
     static uint32_t getMemorySizeBits() { return m_memory_size_bits; }
-    Cycles getTime() const { return curCycle(); }
 
     // Public Methods
     Network*
diff --git a/src/mem/ruby/system/WireBuffer.cc b/src/mem/ruby/system/WireBuffer.cc
index fba53b902..e0458550a 100644
--- a/src/mem/ruby/system/WireBuffer.cc
+++ b/src/mem/ruby/system/WireBuffer.cc
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ void
 WireBuffer::enqueue(MsgPtr message, Cycles latency)
 {
     m_msg_counter++;
-    Cycles current_time = g_system_ptr->getTime();
+    Cycles current_time = g_system_ptr->curCycle();
     Cycles arrival_time = current_time + latency;
     assert(arrival_time > current_time);
 
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ WireBuffer::recycle()
     pop_heap(m_message_queue.begin(), m_message_queue.end(),
         greater<MessageBufferNode>());
 
-    node.m_time = g_system_ptr->getTime() + Cycles(1);
+    node.m_time = g_system_ptr->curCycle() + Cycles(1);
     m_message_queue.back() = node;
     push_heap(m_message_queue.begin(), m_message_queue.end(),
         greater<MessageBufferNode>());
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ bool
 WireBuffer::isReady()
 {
     return ((!m_message_queue.empty()) &&
-            (m_message_queue.front().m_time <= g_system_ptr->getTime()));
+            (m_message_queue.front().m_time <= g_system_ptr->curCycle()));
 }
 
 void
diff --git a/src/mem/slicc/ast/EnqueueStatementAST.py b/src/mem/slicc/ast/EnqueueStatementAST.py
index 329ed30a3..7ad6f00a0 100644
--- a/src/mem/slicc/ast/EnqueueStatementAST.py
+++ b/src/mem/slicc/ast/EnqueueStatementAST.py
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ class EnqueueStatementAST(StatementAST):
 
         # Declare message
         code("${{msg_type.ident}} *out_msg = "\
-             "new ${{msg_type.ident}}(curCycle());")
+             "new ${{msg_type.ident}}(clockEdge());")
 
         # The other statements
         t = self.statements.generate(code, None)
diff --git a/src/mem/slicc/symbols/StateMachine.py b/src/mem/slicc/symbols/StateMachine.py
index e66743255..ddaa3e440 100644
--- a/src/mem/slicc/symbols/StateMachine.py
+++ b/src/mem/slicc/symbols/StateMachine.py
@@ -518,7 +518,10 @@ m_dma_sequencer_ptr->setController(this);
         code('m_num_controllers++;')
         for var in self.objects:
             if var.ident.find("mandatoryQueue") >= 0:
-                code('m_${{var.c_ident}}_ptr = new ${{var.type.c_ident}}();')
+                code('''
+m_${{var.c_ident}}_ptr = new ${{var.type.c_ident}}();
+m_${{var.c_ident}}_ptr->setReceiver(this);
+''')
 
         code.dedent()
         code('''
@@ -573,7 +576,7 @@ $c_ident::init()
                         code('*$vid = ${{vtype["default"]}}; // $comment')
 
                     # Set ordering
-                    if "ordered" in var and "trigger_queue" not in var:
+                    if "ordered" in var:
                         # A buffer
                         code('$vid->setOrdering(${{var["ordered"]}});')
 
@@ -583,10 +586,16 @@ $c_ident::init()
                         code('$vid->setRandomization(${{var["random"]}});')
 
                     # Set Priority
-                    if vtype.isBuffer and \
-                           "rank" in var and "trigger_queue" not in var:
+                    if vtype.isBuffer and "rank" in var:
                         code('$vid->setPriority(${{var["rank"]}});')
 
+                    # Set sender and receiver for trigger queue
+                    if var.ident.find("triggerQueue") >= 0:
+                        code('$vid->setSender(this);')
+                        code('$vid->setReceiver(this);')
+                    elif vtype.c_ident == "TimerTable":
+                        code('$vid->setClockObj(this);')
+
             else:
                 # Network port object
                 network = var["network"]
@@ -601,6 +610,12 @@ $vid = m_net_ptr->get${network}NetQueue(m_version + base, $ordered, $vnet, "$vne
 
                 code('assert($vid != NULL);')
 
+                # Set the end
+                if network == "To":
+                    code('$vid->setSender(this);')
+                else:
+                    code('$vid->setReceiver(this);')
+
                 # Set ordering
                 if "ordered" in var:
                     # A buffer
@@ -647,8 +662,6 @@ $vid->setDescription("[Version " + to_string(m_version) + ", ${ident}, name=${{v
             code('${{port.code}}.setConsumer(this);')
             # Set the queue descriptions
             code('${{port.code}}.setDescription("[Version " + to_string(m_version) + ", $ident, $port]");')
-            # Set the clock object
-            code('${{port.code}}.setClockObj(this);')
 
         # Initialize the transition profiling
         code()
diff --git a/src/mem/slicc/symbols/Type.py b/src/mem/slicc/symbols/Type.py
index f40036e8e..6ee48ba8b 100644
--- a/src/mem/slicc/symbols/Type.py
+++ b/src/mem/slicc/symbols/Type.py
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ $klass ${{self.c_ident}}$parent
 ''', klass="class")
 
         if self.isMessage:
-            code('(Cycles curTime) : %s(curTime) {' % self["interface"])
+            code('(Tick curTime) : %s(curTime) {' % self["interface"])
         else:
             code('()\n\t\t{')
 
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ $klass ${{self.c_ident}}$parent
             params = ', '.join(params)
 
             if self.isMessage:
-                params = "const Cycles curTime, " + params
+                params = "const Tick curTime, " + params
 
             code('${{self.c_ident}}($params)')