A Framework for the Development of Parallel and Distributed Real-Time Embedded Systems

Embedded real-time applications increasingly present high computation requirements, which need to be completed within specific deadlines. But, those applications present highly variable patterns, depending on the data set in a determined instant. The current trend to provide parallel processing in the embedded domain allows providing higher processing power, however, it does not address the variability in the processing pattern. Dimensioning each device for its worst-case scenario implies lower average utilization, and increased available, but unusable, processing in the overall system. A solution for this problem is to extend the parallel execution of the applications, allowing networked nodes to distribute the workload, on peak situations, to neighbour nodes. In this context, this paper proposes a framework to develop parallel and distributed real-time embedded applications, transparently using OpenMP and Message Passing Interface (MPI), within a programming model based on OpenMP. The paper also devises an integrated timing model, which enables the structured reasoning on the timing behaviour of these hybrid architectures.