Leibniz Transactions on Embedded Systems 

About: Leibniz Transactions on Embedded Systems is an academic journal published by Schloss Dagstuhl — Leibniz-Zentrum fuer Informatik. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Computer science & Scheduling (computing). It has an ISSN identifier of 2199-2002. Over the lifetime, 43 publications have been published receiving 453 citations. The journal is also known as: LITES (Wadern).

A Survey on Static Cache Analysis for Real-Time Systems

Abstract: Real-time systems are reactive computer systems that must produce their reaction to a stimulus within given time bounds. A vital verification requirement is to estimate the Worst-Case Execution Time (WCET) of programs. These estimates are then used to predict the timing behavior of the overall system. The execution time of a program heavily depends on the underlying hardware, among which cache has the biggest influence. Analyzing cache behavior is very challenging due to the versatile cache features and complex execution environment. This article provides a survey on static cache analysis for real-time systems. We first present the challenges and static analysis techniques for independent programs with respect to different cache features. Then, the discussion is extended to cache analysis in complex execution environment, followed by a survey of existing tools based on static techniques for cache analysis. An outlook for future research is provided at last.

Randomized Caches Considered Harmful in Hard Real-Time Systems

Abstract: We investigate the suitability of caches with randomized placement and replacement in the context of hard real-time systems. Such caches have been claimed to drastically reduce the amount of information required by static worst-case execution time (WCET) analysis, and to be an enabler for measurement-based probabilistic timing analysis. We refute these claims and conclude that with prevailing static and measurement-based analysis techniques caches with deterministic placement and least-recently-used replacement are preferable over randomized ones.

A Survey of Probabilistic Timing Analysis Techniques for Real-Time Systems

Abstract: This survey covers probabilistic timing analysis techniques for real-time systems. It reviews and critiques the key results in the field from its origins in 2000 to the latest research published up to the end of August 2018. The survey provides a taxonomy of the different methods used, and a classification of existing research. A detailed review is provided covering the main subject areas: static probabilistic timing analysis, measurement-based probabilistic timing analysis, and hybrid methods. In addition, research on supporting mechanisms and techniques, case studies, and evaluations is also reviewed. The survey concludes by identifying open issues, key challenges and possible directions for future research.

Randomized Caches Can Be Pretty Useful to Hard Real-Time Systems

Abstract: Cache randomization per se, and its viability for probabilistic timing analysis (PTA) of critical real-time systems, are receiving increasingly close attention from the scientific community and the industrial practitioners. In fact, the very notion of introducing randomness and probabilities in time-critical systems has caused strenuous debates owing to the apparent clash that this idea has with the strictly deterministic view traditionally held for those systems. A paper recently appeared in LITES (Reineke, J. (2014). Randomized Caches Considered Harmful in Hard Real-Time Systems. LITES, 1(1), 03:1-03:13.) provides a critical analysis of the weaknesses and risks entailed in using randomized caches in hard real-time systems. In order to provide the interested reader with a fuller, balanced appreciation of the subject matter, a critical analysis of the benefits brought about by that innovation should be provided also. This short paper addresses that need by revisiting the array of issues addressed in the cited work, in the light of the latest advances to the relevant state of the art. Accordingly, we show that the potential benefits of randomized caches do offset their limitations, causing them to be - when used in conjunction with PTA - a serious competitor to conventional designs.

A Survey of Probabilistic Schedulability Analysis Techniques for Real-Time Systems

Abstract: This survey covers schedulability analysis techniques for probabilistic real-time systems. It reviews the key results in the field from its origins in the late 1980s to the latest research published up to the end of August 2018. The survey outlines fundamental concepts and highlights key issues. It provides a taxonomy of the different methods used, and a classification of existing research. A detailed review is provided covering the main subject areas as well as research on supporting techniques. The survey concludes by identifying open issues, key challenges and possible directions for future research.