3,036 research outputs found
A Hardware Time Manager Implementation for the Xenomai Real-Time Kernel of Embedded Linux
Nowadays, the use of embedded operating systems in different embedded
projects is subject to a tremendous growth. Embedded Linux is becoming one of
those most popular EOSs due to its modularity, efficiency, reliability, and
cost. One way to make it hard real-time is to include a real-time kernel like
Xenomai. One of the key characteristics of a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)
is its ability to meet execution time deadlines deterministically. So, the more
precise and flexible the time management can be, the better it can handle
efficiently the determinism for different embedded applications. RTOS time
precision is characterized by a specific periodic interrupt service controlled
by a software time manager. The smaller the period of the interrupt, the better
the precision of the RTOS, the more it overloads the CPU, and though reduces
the overall efficiency of the RTOS. In this paper, we propose to drastically
reduce these overheads by migrating the time management service of Xenomai into
a configurable hardware component to relieve the CPU. The hardware component is
implemented in a Field Programmable Gate Array coupled to the CPU. This work
was achieved in a Master degree project where students could apprehend many
fields of embedded systems: RTOS programming, hardware design, performance
evaluation, etc.Comment: Embed With Linux (EWiLi) workshop, Lorient : France (2012
Integrated Design and Implementation of Embedded Control Systems with Scilab
Embedded systems are playing an increasingly important role in control
engineering. Despite their popularity, embedded systems are generally subject
to resource constraints and it is therefore difficult to build complex control
systems on embedded platforms. Traditionally, the design and implementation of
control systems are often separated, which causes the development of embedded
control systems to be highly time-consuming and costly. To address these
problems, this paper presents a low-cost, reusable, reconfigurable platform
that enables integrated design and implementation of embedded control systems.
To minimize the cost, free and open source software packages such as Linux and
Scilab are used. Scilab is ported to the embedded ARM-Linux system. The drivers
for interfacing Scilab with several communication protocols including serial,
Ethernet, and Modbus are developed. Experiments are conducted to test the
developed embedded platform. The use of Scilab enables implementation of
complex control algorithms on embedded platforms. With the developed platform,
it is possible to perform all phases of the development cycle of embedded
control systems in a unified environment, thus facilitating the reduction of
development time and cost.Comment: 15 pages, 14 figures; Open Access at
http://www.mdpi.org/sensors/papers/s8095501.pd
FPGA based remote code integrity verification of programs in distributed embedded systems
The explosive growth of networked embedded systems has made ubiquitous and pervasive computing a reality. However, there are still a number of new challenges to its widespread adoption that include scalability, availability, and, especially, security of software. Among the different challenges in software security, the problem of remote-code integrity verification is still waiting for efficient solutions. This paper proposes the use of reconfigurable computing to build a consistent architecture for generation of attestations (proofs) of code integrity for an executing program as well as to deliver them to the designated verification entity. Remote dynamic update of reconfigurable devices is also exploited to increase the complexity of mounting attacks in a real-word environment. The proposed solution perfectly fits embedded devices that are nowadays commonly equipped with reconfigurable hardware components that are exploited to solve different computational problems
Enabling virtual radio functions on software defined radio for future wireless networks
Today's wired networks have become highly flexible, thanks to the fact that an increasing number of functionalities are realized by software rather than dedicated hardware. This trend is still in its early stages for wireless networks, but it has the potential to improve the network's flexibility and resource utilization regarding both the abundant computational resources and the scarce radio spectrum resources. In this work we provide an overview of the enabling technologies for network reconfiguration, such as Network Function Virtualization, Software Defined Networking, and Software Defined Radio. We review frequently used terminology such as softwarization, virtualization, and orchestration, and how these concepts apply to wireless networks. We introduce the concept of Virtual Radio Function, and illustrate how softwarized/virtualized radio functions can be placed and initialized at runtime, allowing radio access technologies and spectrum allocation schemes to be formed dynamically. Finally we focus on embedded Software-Defined Radio as an end device, and illustrate how to realize the placement, initialization and configuration of virtual radio functions on such kind of devices
A TrustZone-assisted secure silicon on a co-design framework
Dissertação de mestrado em Engenharia Eletrónica Industrial e ComputadoresEmbedded systems were for a long time, single-purpose and closed systems, characterized
by hardware resource constraints and real-time requirements. Nowadays, their functionality is
ever-growing, coupled with an increasing complexity and heterogeneity. Embedded applications
increasingly demand employment of general-purpose operating systems (GPOSs) to handle operator
interfaces and general-purpose computing tasks, while simultaneously ensuring the strict
timing requirements. Virtualization, which enables multiple operating systems (OSs) to run on
top of the same hardware platform, is gaining momentum in the embedded systems arena,
driven by the growing interest in consolidating and isolating multiple and heterogeneous environments.
The penalties incurred by classic virtualization approaches is pushing research towards
hardware-assisted solutions. Among the existing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies for
virtualization, ARM TrustZone technology is gaining momentum due to the supremacy and lower
cost of TrustZone-enabled processors.
Programmable system-on-chips (SoCs) are becoming leading players in the embedded systems
space, because the combination of a plethora of hard resources with programmable logic
enables the efficient implementation of systems that perfectly fit the heterogeneous nature of
embedded applications. Moreover, novel disruptive approaches make use of field-programmable
gate array (FPGA) technology to enhance virtualization mechanisms.
This master’s thesis proposes a hardware-software co-design framework for easing the economy
of addressing the new generation of embedded systems requirements. ARM TrustZone is
exploited to implement the root-of-trust of a virtualization-based architecture that allows the execution
of a GPOS side-by-side with a real-time OS (RTOS). RTOS services were offloaded to hardware,
so that it could present simultaneous improvements on performance and determinism. Instead
of focusing in a concrete application, the goal is to provide a complete framework, specifically tailored
for Zynq-base devices, that developers can use to accelerate a bunch of distinct applications
across different embedded industries.Os sistemas embebidos foram, durante muitos anos, sistemas com um simples e único
propósito, caracterizados por recursos de hardware limitados e com cariz de tempo real. Hoje
em dia, o número de funcionalidades começa a escalar, assim como o grau de complexidade
e heterogeneidade. As aplicações embebidas exigem cada vez mais o uso de sistemas operativos
(OSs) de uso geral (GPOS) para lidar com interfaces gráficas e tarefas de computação de
propósito geral. Porém, os seus requisitos primordiais de tempo real mantém-se. A virtualização
permite que vários sistemas operativos sejam executados na mesma plataforma de hardware.
Impulsionada pelo crescente interesse em consolidar e isolar ambientes múltiplos e heterogéneos,
a virtualização tem ganho uma crescente relevância no domínio dos sistemas embebidos.
As adversidades que advém das abordagens de virtualização clássicas estão a direcionar estudos
no âmbito de soluções assistidas por hardware. Entre as tecnologias comerciais existentes, a
tecnologia ARM TrustZone está a ganhar muita relevância devido à supremacia e ao menor custo
dos processadores que suportam esta tecnologia.
Plataformas hibridas, que combinam processadores com lógica programável, estão em crescente
penetração no domínio dos sistemas embebidos pois, disponibilizam um enorme conjunto
de recursos que se adequam perfeitamente à natureza heterogénea dos sistemas atuais. Além
disso, existem soluções recentes que fazem uso da tecnologia de FPGA para melhorar os mecanismos
de virtualização.
Esta dissertação propõe uma framework baseada em hardware-software de modo a cumprir
os requisitos da nova geração de sistemas embebidos. A tecnologia TrustZone é explorada para
implementar uma arquitetura que permite a execução de um GPOS lado-a-lado com um sistemas
operativo de tempo real (RTOS). Os serviços disponibilizados pelo RTOS são migrados
para hardware, para melhorar o desempenho e determinismo do OS. Em vez de focar numa
aplicação concreta, o objetivo é fornecer uma framework especificamente adaptada para dispositivos
baseados em System-on-chips Zynq, de forma a que developers possam usar para acelerar
um vasto número de aplicações distintas em diferentes setores
A unified hardware/software runtime environment for FPGA-based reconfigurable computers using BORPH
Fulltext linkThis paper explores the design and implementation of BORPH, an operating system designed for FPGA-based reconfigurable computers. Hardware designs execute as normal UNIX processes under BORPH, having access to standard OS services, such as file system support. Hardware and software components of user designs may, therefore, run as communicating processes within BORPH's runtime environment. The familiar language independent UNIX kernel interface facilitates easy design reuse and rapid application development. To develop hardware designs, a Simulink-based design flow that integrates with BORPH is employed. Performances of BORPH on two on-chip systems implemented on a BEE2 platform are compared. © 2008 ACM.link_to_subscribed_fulltex
On-Line Dependability Enhancement of Multiprocessor SoCs by Resource Management
This paper describes a new approach towards dependable design of homogeneous multi-processor SoCs in an example satellite-navigation application. First, the NoC dependability is functionally verified via embedded software. Then the Xentium processor tiles are periodically verified via on-line self-testing techniques, by using a new IIP Dependability Manager. Based on the Dependability Manager results, faulty tiles are electronically excluded and replaced by fault-free spare tiles via on-line resource management. This integrated approach enables fast electronic fault detection/diagnosis and repair, and hence a high system availability. The dependability application runs in parallel with the actual application, resulting in a very dependable system. All parts have been verified by simulation
Operating System Concepts for Reconfigurable Computing: Review and Survey
One of the key future challenges for reconfigurable computing is to enable higher design productivity and a more easy way to use reconfigurable computing systems for users that are unfamiliar with the underlying concepts. One way of doing this is to provide standardization and abstraction, usually supported and enforced by an operating system. This article gives historical review and a summary on ideas and key concepts to include reconfigurable computing aspects in operating systems. The article also presents an overview on published and available operating systems targeting the area of reconfigurable computing. The purpose of this article is to identify and summarize common patterns among those systems that can be seen as de facto standard. Furthermore, open problems, not covered by these already available systems, are identified
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