Analysis Prediction Template Toolkit (APTT) for object-based computation

The Analysis, Prediction, Template Toolkit (APTT) is an integrated set of visualisation tools aimed at the design of continuous-flow, multi-algorithm embedded applications in the multimedia, signal-processing domain. APTT is constrained by a pipelined design pattern, with each stage of the pipeline capable of supporting internal parallelism. APTT includes three tools. The graphical simulation tool predicts pipeline metrics: memory, interconnect bandwidth; throughput; and latency (both mean and maxima); before parallel partitioning is carried out. A post-mortem trace analysis tool with the same format as the predictor tool enables performance of parallelised applications to be checked and optimised. A semi-manual code generator tool has been designed to support APTT templates, a means of rapidly prototyping processing pipelines. The results for performance prediction with the predictor tool on a machine-vision application are compared with actual execution times for a realistic application, and show a prediction accuracy within 10%. The worked example also includes details of a form of high-level codesign whereby cross-architectural comparisons of performance can be made. The paper discusses a template for an actor software object, a semi-dynamic structure with object-loading and reflection based around Java Remote Method Invocation (RMI)