Monitoring and WCET analysis in COTS multi-core-SoC-based mixed-criticality systems

The performance and power efficiency of multi-core processors are attractive features for safety-critical applications, for example in avionics. But the inherent use of shared resources complicates timing analysability. In this paper we discuss a novel approach to compute the Worst-Case Execution Time (WCET) of multiple hard real-time applications scheduled on a Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) multi-core processor. The analysis is closely coupled with mechanisms for temporal partitioning as, for instance, required in ARINC 653-based systems. Based on a discussion of the challenges for temporal partitioning and timing analysis in multi-core systems, we deduce a generic architecture model. Considering the requirements for re-usability and incremental development and certification, we use this model to describe our integrated analysis approach.