Design of embedded hard real-time applications with predictable behaviour

Abstract

In contrast to most of the other studies which only consider selected topic(s) and typically deal with issues of higher levels of design, the research project outlined uses a holistic approach to real-time application design issues. It is set up in layers starting with a predictably behaving computer hardware architecture, followed by an appropriate programming language and, finally, a tool for automated application development. Each of these layers provides a sound basis for the next. For the hardware layer, an asymmetrical parallel architecture is proposed and guidelines for its implementation are given. For the software layer, programming issues are dealt with. A real-time programming language concept is briefly described. Inside the compiler, an analyser is integrated, combining conventional and novel approaches for execution time estimation. Finally, the desired properties of a computer aided hard real-time application design and evaluation tool are enumerated.<>