Generic Memory Protection Mechanism for Embedded System and Its Application to Embedded Component Systems

Abstract

Memory protection mechanisms have become important in an embedded system. Previously, embedded systems, especially small-size systems, did not need memory protection mechanisms. However, recent embedded systems require memory protection mechanisms. That is because large, complex programs in a large embedded system, such as car navigation systems and high-end cellular phones, cause unreliability due to program corruption caused by buggy programs. In embedded systems, unlike a general purpose computer system, several resources to be protected are distributed in an OS through middleware and applications. In this paper, we propose a generic memory protection mechanism for an embedded system with dynamic protection change. We also present its application to embedded component systems for increasing the reliability of the system.