Timing Analysis of Distributed Embedded Systems with Stochastic Workload and Realiability Constraints

Abstract: Today's distributed embedded systems are exposed to large variations in workload due to complex software applications and sophisticated hardware platforms. Examples of such systems are automotive and avionics applications.The tasks running on computational units have variable execution times. Thus, the workload that the computational units must accommodate is likely to be stochastic. Some of the tasks trigger messages that will be transmitted over communication buses. There is a direct connection between the variable execution times of the tasks and the moments of triggering of these messages. Thus, the workload imposed on the communication buses will also be stochastic. The likelihood for transient faults to occur is another dimension for stochastic workload as today's embedded systems are designed to work in extreme environmental conditions. Given the above, the need for tools that can analyze systems that experience stochastic workload is continuously increasing.The present thesis addresses this need. The solutions proposed in this thesis have been validated by extensive experiments that demonstrate the efficiency of the presented techniques.