Extending component-based approaches for multithreaded design of multiprocessor embedded software

Abstract

Multiprocessor embedded software presents major challenges including the increased complexity and stringent performance requirements raised by parallel processing capability. Although component-based approaches can greatly alleviate the complexity problem, traditional approaches do not provide adequate support for performance requirements on multiprocessors. In this paper, we extend component-based approaches for performance-aware design and analysis of multiprocessor embedded software. The proposed approach begins with a component model that is able to capture concurrent and performance-critical behavior based on UML activity diagrams. It then identifies and exploits potential sources of concurrency within components to produce a multithreaded software design targeted at multiprocessors. We also provide a schedulability analysis that can be used for validating multithreaded software design from a temporal perspective.