A general time model for the specification and design of embedded real-time systems ?
Design of complex embedded systems feasible with current and upcoming semiconductor technologies necessitates consideration of real-time from the beginning. However, the commonly used specification techniques do not consider temporal aspects in general like fulfillment of high level timing requirements or dynamic reactions on timing violations. In this paper, we discuss the restrictions of current specification techniques for embedded real-time systems and present a general time model that solves this issue. The time model contains the progress of time, the measurement of time and the specification of timing requirements based on event traces. In contrast to earlier techniques, preconditions determine the actual relevance of a specific timing bound. Exemplified for SDL, a solution for the specification of temporal aspects is shown. The advantages of this solution are discussed in a hardware/software co-design case study from the mobile communication area.
real-time embedded systems hardware/software co-design specification of clocks