Program Specification: Master of Electrical and Microsystems Engineering V6M: Multi-processor and Multi-core Designs for Reliable Embedded Systems Learning Objectives:
This module considers the challenges involved in creating distributed (multi-processor) designs and the related challenges involved with multi-core (“Network on Chip”) designs.
This module considers the challenges involved in creating distributed (multi-processor) designs and the related challenges involved with multi-core (“Network on Chip”) designs. The module also covers key issues such as: Assigning tasks to processors / cores; Clock synchronisation; Suitable communication protocols; Ensuring reliable data transfers; Using multiple processor cores to enhance fault tolerance.
Previous Experience/Premise none
Content:
Topic 1:
A review of a single core design
datapath,
pipelining, and
cache design
Topic 2:
Multi-core COTS Processor
Improving performance.
Multi-processor vs. multi-core: similarities and differences.
Maintaining design integrity when migrating from a single-processor solution.
Improving reliability.
Creating an “event processor”. Avoiding resource conflicts in multi-core designs.
Topic 3:
Introduction to OpenMp programming and MPI Topic 4:
Design Challenges
Scheduling issues.
Maintenance.
Adapting task sets for distributed systems. Example automotive control system.
Topic 5:
Timing Issues
Impact of jitter.
2
Different forms of clock synchronisation algorithm. Assessing what happens when something goes wrong.
Timing in the event of errors Topic 6:
Controller Area Network (CAN) Protocol
• Creating a simple multi-processor design using CAN.
• Challenges of clock synchronisation.
• Timing of tasks and network communications.
• Basic use of watchdogs.
• Running without clock synchronisation.
Topic 7:
Improving Reliability in Distributed Designs
• Adding redundant Master nodes.
• Adding redundant Slave nodes.
• Hot standbys.
• Adding redundant communication paths. Bus vs. star topologies.
• Compare performance of different architectures.
• Safety Integrity Levels.
Teaching session: Block seminar (two weeks) Credit Points: 5 CP according to ECTS
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Yap (Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Frequency: Every year
