A Constraint-Based Solution for On-Line Testing of Processors Embedded in Real-Time Applications

Software-based self-test has been proposed as a low-cost strategy for on-line periodic testing of embedded processors. In this paper, we show that structural test programs composed only by regular deterministic self-test routines may be unfeasible in a real-time embedded platform. Hence, we propose a method to consciously select a set of test routines from different test approaches to compose a test program for an embedded processor. The proposed method not only ensures the periodical execution of the test, but also considers the optimization of memory and real-time requirements of the application, which are important constraints in embedded systems. Experimental results for a Java processor running real-time tasks demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed solution