Simulating Synchronization Issues on a Multiprocessor Embedded System for Testing

摘要

Embedded systems are commonly used to meet the rapid growth in processing requirements of today's embedded system applications that range from simple home appliances to complex big architecture systems. An embedded system consisting of multiple processing elements (PEs) linked together using various types of interfaces. Many complicated tasks can be accomplished by them in different working environments. Synchronization is the typical problem with which embedded software are confronted. The processing elements require synchronization to preserve system integrity while performing the applications. Testing multi PEs-based embedded system is a challenging task; where most of the intricacies lie in testing realtime interprocessor communication i.e. synchronous or asynchronous in term of accuracy and timing. This paper is intended to provide an outline of issues affected by the need for considering synchronization on multi PEs embedded system. The paper proposes an approach that simulates possible synchronization issues across multi PEs in real-time communication. The results show that the simulation of synchronization issues on a multi PEs embedded system is a valuable approach towards creating a testing framework for embedded systems.