Technology & Computer Architecture Lab (TCAL) is a forward-looking research lab in the Computer Engineering and Informatics Department (CEID) at the University of Patras, Greece. At TCAL, we explore the design, behavior, and resilience of modern computing systems — from general-purpose and heterogeneous CPUs to domain-specific accelerators, edge devices, automotive platforms, and server-scale architectures.
Our research dives deep into the intricate trade-offs between performance, energy efficiency, and reliability, with a special focus on real-world challenges in emerging architectures. We aim to develop fast, microarchitecture-level reliability assessment methodologies, microarchitecture-aware fault resilience frameworks, and energy-aware design strategies. Our work spans early-stage silicon validation, error detection and recovery mechanisms, and next-generation system validation tools: all essential for shaping robust, efficient, and trustworthy hardware platforms in the age of edge computing, AI, and sustainability.
TCAL is actively looking for motivated Ph.D. students to join our team, starting as early as the current or next semester. We're looking for candidates who have: (1) a strong programming background - particularly in C/C++ and Python, and (2) a genuine interest in cutting-edge research in computer architecture.
If you’re passionate about building the future of computing, we’d love to hear from you!
At TCAL, our research sits at the intersection of performance, resilience, and energy efficiency in modern computing architectures. We focus on building robust and energy-conscious systems, from general-purpose processors to domain-specific accelerators. A key aspect of our work is developing hardware/software co-design approaches that not only enhance silicon validation and accelerate post-silicon bug detection, but also strengthen overall system reliability and promote energy-efficient operation. Our work aims to ensure that modern chips are not only functionally correct, but also resilient and power-aware from the ground up.
Our research is built upon three essential pillars: (1) Quantifying and enhancing the reliability of modern processor components — including CPUs, GPUs, and specialized accelerators — through architectural and microarchitectural techniques, (2) Reducing energy consumption in high-performance and embedded computing platforms without compromising performance or reliability, and (3) Modeling and optimizing domain-specific accelerators to enable low-power, dependable computing for edge and application-driven systems.
TCAL investigates the resilience of modern computing systems by analyzing how they respond to both transient faults and permanent failures. Our work spans a diverse range of hardware components — from CPUs and GPUs to AI accelerators — offering a comprehensive perspective on system-level vulnerability. Through multi-layered analysis, reaching from the register-transfer level to the microarchitecture and software stack, we aim to combine precision and efficiency to uncover critical reliability challenges in next-generation hardware.
At TCAL, we tackle one of the most critical challenges in modern hardware development: post-silicon validation. As chip complexity grows, so does the risk of subtle design flaws escaping pre-silicon verification. Our research addresses this gap by developing innovative validation solutions that combine architectural insights with silicon-level execution speed. By focusing on fast and targeted bug localization in modern CPU designs, we help minimize silicon debug cycles and increase confidence in hardware correctness before deployment.
We explore how modern hardware can be pushed beyond conventional operating boundaries to unlock new levels of energy efficiency. By studying how systems behave under non-standard voltage and frequency settings, we aim to reveal untapped power-saving opportunities. Our research focuses on the inherent variability across chips, cores, and workloads, leveraging these differences to identify safe yet aggressive operating points that reduce energy consumption without compromising reliability.
[Aug 2025] The Technology & Computer Architecture Lab (TCAL) website is now live — explore our research, team, and latest updates @ the official TCAL website!