A thread synchronization model for the PREEMPT_RT Linux kernel

This article proposes an automata-based model for describing and validating sequences of kernel events in Linux PREEMPT_RT and how they influence the timeline of threads’ execution, comprising preemption control, interrupt handling and control, scheduling and locking. This article also presents an extension of the Linux tracing framework that enables the tracing of kernel events to verify the consistency of the kernel execution compared to the event sequences that are legal according to the formal model. This enables cross-checking of a kernel behavior against the formalized one, and in case of inconsistency, it pinpoints possible areas of improvement of the kernel, useful for regression testing. Indeed, we describe in details three problems in the kernel revealed by using the proposed technique, along with a short summary on how we reported and proposed fixes to the Linux kernel community. As an example of the usage of the model, the analysis of the events involved in the activation of the highest priority thread is presented, describing the delays occurred in this operation in the same granularity used by kernel developers. This illustrates how it is possible to take advantage of the model for analyzing the preemption model of Linux

Flame Detection for Video-based Early Fire Warning Systems and 3D Visualization of Fire Propagation

Early and accurate detection and localization of flame is an essential requirement of modern early fire warning systems. Video-based systems can be used for this purpose; however, flame detection remains a challenging issue due to the fact that many natural objects have similar characteristics with fire. In this paper, we present a new algorithm for video based flame detection, which employs various spatio-temporal features such as colour probability, contour irregularity, spatial energy, flickering and spatio-temporal energy. Various background subtraction algorithms are tested and comparative results in terms of computational efficiency and accuracy are presented. Experimental results with two classification methods show that the proposed methodology provides high fire detection rates with a reasonable false alarm ratio. Finally, a 3D visualization tool for the estimation of the fire propagation is outlined and simulation results are presented and discussed.The original article was published by ACTAPRESS and is available here: http://www.actapress.com/Content_of_Proceeding.aspx?proceedingid=73

Untangling the intricacies of thread synchronization in the PREEMPT-RT linux kernel

This article proposes an automata-based model for describing and validating the behavior of threads in the Linux PREEMPT-RT kernel, on a single-core system. The automata model defines the events and how they influence the timeline of threads' execution, comprising the preemption control, interrupt handlers, interrupt control, scheduling and locking. This article also presents the extension of the Linux trace features that enable the trace of the kernel events used in the modeling. The model and the tracing tool are used, initially, to validate the model, but preliminary results were enough to point to two problems in the Linux kernel. Finally, the analysis of the events involved in the activation of the highest priority thread is presented in terms of necessary and sufficient conditions, describing the delays occurred in this operation in the same granularity used by kernel developers, showing how it is possible to take advantage of the model for analyzing the thread wake-up latency, without any need for watching the corresponding kernel code

The role of graphics super-workstations in a supercomputing environment

A new class of very powerful workstations has recently become available which integrate near supercomputer computational performance with very powerful and high quality graphics capability. These graphics super-workstations are expected to play an increasingly important role in providing an enhanced environment for supercomputer users. Their potential uses include: off-loading the supercomputer (by serving as stand-alone processors, by post-processing of the output of supercomputer calculations, and by distributed or shared processing), scientific visualization (understanding of results, communication of results), and by real time interaction with the supercomputer (to steer an iterative computation, to abort a bad run, or to explore and develop new algorithms)

On the Use of Context Information for Precise Measurement-Based Execution Time Estimation

The present paper investigates the influence of the execution history on the precision of measurement-based execution time estimates for embedded software. A new approach to timing analysis is presented which was designed to overcome the problems of existing static and dynamic methods. By partitioning the analyzed programs into easily traceable segments and by precisely controlling run-time measurements with on-chip tracing facilities, the new method is able to preserve information about the execution context of measured execution times. After an adequate number of measurements have been taken, this information can be used to precisely estimate the Worst-Case Execution Time of a program without being overly pessimistic

Model-based Development of Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System for Heterogeneous Multi-Core Architectures

The aerospace domain, very much similar to other cyber-physical systems domains such as automotive or automation, is demanding new methodologies and approaches for increasing performance and reducing cost, while maintaining safety levels and programmability. While the heterogeneous multi-core architectures seem promising, apart from certification issues, there is a solid necessity for complex toolchains and programming processes for exploiting their full potential. The ARGO (WCET-Aware PaRallelization of Model-Based Ap-plications for HeteroGeneOus Parallel Systems) project is addressing this challenge by providing an inte-grated toolchain that realizes an innovative holistic approach for programming heterogeneous multi-core sys-tems in a model-based workflow. Model-based design elevates systems modeling and promotes simulation with the executing these models for verification and validation of the design decisions. As a case study, the ARGO toolchain and workflow will be applied to a model-based Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) development. EGPWS is a readily available system in current aircraft which provides alerts and warnings for obstacles and terrain along the flight path utilizing high resolution terrain databases, Global Positioning System and other sensors-. After a gentle introduction to the model-based development approach of the ARGO project for the heterogeneous multi-core architectures, the EGPWS and the EGPWS systems modelling will be presented

On Synchronous and Asynchronous Monitor Instrumentation for Actor-based systems

We study the impact of synchronous and asynchronous monitoring instrumentation on runtime overheads in the context of a runtime verification framework for actor-based systems. We show that, in such a context, asynchronous monitoring incurs substantially lower overhead costs. We also show how, for certain properties that require synchronous monitoring, a hybrid approach can be used that ensures timely violation detections for the important events while, at the same time, incurring lower overhead costs that are closer to those of an asynchronous instrumentation.Comment: In Proceedings FOCLASA 2014, arXiv:1502.0315

Methoden und Beschreibungssprachen zur Modellierung und Verifikation vonSchaltungen und Systemen: MBMV 2015 - Tagungsband, Chemnitz, 03. - 04. März 2015

Der Workshop Methoden und Beschreibungssprachen zur Modellierung und Verifikation von Schaltungen und Systemen (MBMV 2015) findet nun schon zum 18. mal statt. Ausrichter sind in diesem Jahr die Professur Schaltkreis- und Systementwurf der Technischen Universität Chemnitz und das Steinbeis-Forschungszentrum Systementwurf und Test. Der Workshop hat es sich zum Ziel gesetzt, neueste Trends, Ergebnisse und aktuelle Probleme auf dem Gebiet der Methoden zur Modellierung und Verifikation sowie der Beschreibungssprachen digitaler, analoger und Mixed-Signal-Schaltungen zu diskutieren. Er soll somit ein Forum zum Ideenaustausch sein. Weiterhin bietet der Workshop eine Plattform für den Austausch zwischen Forschung und Industrie sowie zur Pflege bestehender und zur Knüpfung neuer Kontakte. Jungen Wissenschaftlern erlaubt er, ihre Ideen und Ansätze einem breiten Publikum aus Wissenschaft und Wirtschaft zu präsentieren und im Rahmen der Veranstaltung auch fundiert zu diskutieren. Sein langjähriges Bestehen hat ihn zu einer festen Größe in vielen Veranstaltungskalendern gemacht. Traditionell sind auch die Treffen der ITGFachgruppen an den Workshop angegliedert. In diesem Jahr nutzen zwei im Rahmen der InnoProfile-Transfer-Initiative durch das Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung geförderte Projekte den Workshop, um in zwei eigenen Tracks ihre Forschungsergebnisse einem breiten Publikum zu präsentieren. Vertreter der Projekte Generische Plattform für Systemzuverlässigkeit und Verifikation (GPZV) und GINKO - Generische Infrastruktur zur nahtlosen energetischen Kopplung von Elektrofahrzeugen stellen Teile ihrer gegenwärtigen Arbeiten vor. Dies bereichert denWorkshop durch zusätzliche Themenschwerpunkte und bietet eine wertvolle Ergänzung zu den Beiträgen der Autoren. [... aus dem Vorwort