Integrated Path from Run-Time Measurements to Design Decisions: Case Study in Performance Analysis

This paper presents a novel approach for integration of multiple tools and phases used in embedded systems’ hardware/software co-design. As a single example case we examine closer a performance simulation solution, which can be used for evaluation of proper number of processors. The solution is meant for supporting development of embedded systems by simulations, starting from low-level operating system run-time measurements, and eventually ending at enhancing the analysis of simulation results with 3D-visualisation. Besides the to-be-presented integrated tool chain, all the single solutions including instrumentation framework, data storage, measurement processing, performance simulator and data visualisation are contributions of this work. The presented tool environment can be used for other types of design-related tasks as well. With the tool integration we ease the manageability and controllability of a fairly complex process – the hardware/software co-design.