Implementing Modal Software in Data Flow for Heterogeneous Architectures

Abstract

Software for embedded systems is often based on distinct processing modes. A simple example of such modal behavior is a radar system that switches between search mode and tracking mode as targets are located. In complex software systems, the system may have dozens of modes, including sub-modes, forming a deep hierarchy. Such large embedded systems often must be implemented on boards of multiple digital signal processors (DSP). Increasingly, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) are being used alongside DSPs as a method for meeting the throughput and latency requirements of these systems. Gedae is an integrated design environment for deployed systems and advanced demonstrators based on DSPs (e.g., AltiVec, PowerPC, TigerSHARC) or distributed networks (e.g., Linux clusters). This paper describes extensions to Gedae's language that empower developers to easily develop modal software and enable them to port that software to heterogeneous architectures, including a new class of boards that contain both DSPs and FPGAs.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 2004
Accession Number
ADA433469

Entities

People

  • James Steed
  • Kerry Barnes
  • William Lundgren

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Boundaries
  • Compilers
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Vision
  • Data Processing
  • Embedded Systems
  • Field Programmable Gate Arrays
  • Graphical User Interface
  • Human-Machine Interaction
  • Language
  • Programming Languages
  • Radar
  • Side Effects
  • Signal Processing
  • Software Development
  • User Interface

Fields of Study

  • Computer science
  • Engineering

Readers

  • Database Systems and Applications
  • Educational Psychology
  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.