A rapid configurable embedded development framework

Early detection of system failure required continuous monitoring of electro-mechanical system which required embedded prognostics devices. Unfortunately, the current research and industrial solutions do not provide a user friendly and rapidly configurable environment to create ´adaptive microprocessor size with supercomputer performance´ embedded solution in order to reduce downtime. Developing a solution for various industrial domains can be too time-consuming because the tools and rapid methods for creating embedded reconfigurable solutions are lacking. In this paper, we present a proof of concept of a rapid configurable embedded development environment using IEC 61499 Functional Blocks. Two test cases, which include an XOR Gate for Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and a PID tank level controller for an ARM based Linux embedded system are used in the paper to discuss the potential of the framework. Finally, a research agenda towards a distributed cluster head/sensor nodes distributed prognostics concept is identified.